A Prophet

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A Prophet

R

Released Feb 26, 2010

2h 29m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

163 Reviews

89%

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25,000+ Ratings

This acclaimed crime drama follows Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get by in a French prison. When he is taken under the wing of powerful Corsican mob boss Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), he begins performing regular assignments for him, proving himself invaluable to the imposing criminal. As Malik rises in the mob ranks, he gains more power, but also more enemies, a situation that eventually brings conflict with his mentor.

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Critics Consensus

Featuring an impressive star turn by newcomer Tahar Rahim, A Prophet is a French gangster film filled with arresting, immediate details.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Usually, I don't much like films in which males throw violence at any problem that comes their way... But this is such an intensely mature piece of work featuring such intensely mature performances that I was too involved to let it bother me.

Aug 30, 2018

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

A Prophet is not a fabulous film, but it is well worth seeing. Although it is 2 hours 29 minutes long and its story is not surprising, it is always riveting.

Jan 13, 2018

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

But with its lush Alexandre Desplat score, deeply shadowed compositions, and fluid, understated camera movement, A Prophet is distinctly an Audiard construction.

Jul 12, 2013

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

A Prophet is an early contender for 2010's best film. It successfully marries engaging entertainment with art-house sensibilities in a way that few films do of late, maintaining intelligent complexity and thematic richness...

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A Prophet is not casual entertainment, you have to ready yourself to bear it… overwhelming and at time almost mystical. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 19, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

An incisive crime saga told within the confines of concrete walls and deprived humanity.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 11, 2022

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Scott R

NYT 100 21st Century movies list. It was a tough watch at times. So gritty and hard that I often wanted to give up. However, it was still informative. Showing an aspect of the FRE jails and their mafia structures / class systems. SLC DVD.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 29 minutes!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Drug Material, Nudity, Sexual Content and Strong Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Erik B

Doesn't get any better than this, gritty, smart, perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

Phillip D

Had to watch it in a few sittings, but it was amazing. Very glad I stumbled across it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

Full Review

Alejandro I

EMILIA PEREZ LO PEOR EN LA HISTORIA DEL CINE!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Liam D

A combination of a gangster film and prison drama. It features an great script, wonderful acting and fantastic direction

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

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Jacques Audiard

Director

Tahar Rahim

Malik El Djebena

Niels Arestrup

César Luciani

Adel Bencherif

Ryad

Reda Kateb

Jordi

Hichem Yacoubi

Reyeb

Rust and Bone

81%

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Synopsis

This acclaimed crime drama follows Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get by in a French prison. When he is taken under the wing of powerful Corsican mob boss Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), he begins performing regular assignments for him, proving himself invaluable to the imposing criminal. As Malik rises in the mob ranks, he gains more power, but also more enemies, a situation that eventually brings conflict with his mentor.

Director: Jacques Audiard
Producer: Pascal Caucheteux, Grégoire Sorlat
Screenwriter: Thomas Bidegain, Jacques Audiard, Abdel Raouf Dafri, Nicolas Peufaillit
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Chic Films, Celluloid Dreams, UGC Images, Why Not Productions, Page 114, BIM Distribuzione, France 2 Cinéma
Rating: R (Language|Drug Material|Nudity|Sexual Content|Strong Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 2h 29m

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