A Complete Unknown

Play trailer

2:24

A Complete Unknown

R

In Theaters Wed Dec 25

2h 21m

Biography

Drama

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

108 Reviews

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold's A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.

Coming Soon

In Theaters Wed Dec 25

Reserve Tickets

Critics Consensus

Charged by Timothée Chalamet's electric performance, this ballad of Bob Dylan might not get under the enigmatic artist's skin but will make you feel like you've spent time in his company.

Read Critics Reviews

James Mangold

Director

Timothée Chalamet

Bob Dylan

Edward Norton

Pete Seeger

Elle Fanning

Sylvie Russo

Monica Barbaro

Joan Baez

Boyd Holbrook

Johnny Cash

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Both Elle Fanning (as a character based on Dylan’s girlfriend Suze Rotolo) and Monica Barbaro’s Joan Baez enchant in an immersive movie about a bygone era when Dylan became the voice of a changing generation.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 20, 2024

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

The filmmakers have set themselves a near insoluble task: How do you get behind the mask of a willfully enigmatic artist like Dylan? For the most part, they duck the attempt. To its credit, at least the movie doesn’t try to sugarcoat Dylan.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 20, 2024

Full Review

Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

The film’s biggest thrill is watching the formation of an uncompromising artist and getting a little taste of what it must’ve been like to wander into Gerde’s Folk City on a random night and see a young man in a snap cap who was about to change the world.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 20, 2024

Full Review

Brianna Zigler

Paste Magazine

In the end, A Complete Unknown neither meaningfully conveys Dylan’s mythology nor exposes him as human. There’s more fulfillment to be gained from listening to “The Very Best of Bob Dylan.”

Rated: 4.5/10

Dec 21, 2024

Full Review

Jason Flatt

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

If you’re a Pete Seeger fan, A Complete Unknown has some merits. The tension between generations of folk musicians is tense and well-investigated.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 21, 2024

Full Review

Lisa Johnson Mandell

AtHomeInHollywood.com

Timothée Chalamet actually becomes Dylan, singing, talking, walking, gesturing and looking like the real life Robert Allen Zimmerman, in a performance that is sure to be Oscar nominated.

Dec 21, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Mark

A sublime homage to creativity to watch the actors create the relationships of these historical icons. Its amazing to see the performance of Maggie farm at the Newport Food Festival, and realize the wave of change. The relationship between Chalamet and the actress playing Joan Baez is fantastic and their singing is remarkable. Elle Fanning is powerful as Dylans girlfriend. And remember Chalamet is playing the guitar and singing something he learned just for this role Kudos to all

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

Full Review

Juan G.

Superb in every sense! Even if you’re not a fan, the movie is transports you to a special time, where it feels like you’re watching the birth of rock and roll. Fans will delight in the uncanny performance by Chalamet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Cooper C

True Dylan fans rejoice: this is an absolute triumph, through and through.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Ricardo Flores Jr.

Truly a perfect see-through film of one of music genres greatest perfectionist and innovator. A Complete Unknown captures the essence and reality of what Bob Dylan went through during the 4 year period of his rising stardom giving us the understanding of what he truly meant to the genre of Folk music, both to friends and fellow musicians alike. Lastly, Timothee Chalamet gives an unforgettable performance of embodying the soul and humanity of a man who only tried to give people what they wanted but was ultimately confronted with the truth of being ahead of his time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Joe C

“If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying“ -Bob Dillan

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Amy M

Whether you're a Bob Dylan fan or not, this movie is amazing. Such a great little snapshot of a small period of a very large career. The performances, the costumes and the sets are fantastic. The songs are great and hopefully they will introduce a whole new generation to Dylan. The acting is top notch, with Timothe leading the way. Definitely highly recommend!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Awards Leaderboard: Best Movies of 2024

Rotten Tomatoes Predicts the 2025 Golden Globe Nominations

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

A Complete Unknown: Exclusive Extended Sneak Peek

7:53

A Complete Unknown: Featurette - Live on Set

2:47

A Complete Unknown: Featurette - The Ballad of a True Original

2:05

A Complete Unknown: Trailer 1

2:24

A Complete Unknown: Teaser Trailer

1:52

View more videos

View more photos

Spinning Gold

31%

82%

Spinning Gold

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Spinning Gold

Bob Marley: One Love

44%

91%

Bob Marley: One Love

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bob Marley: One Love

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

43%

92%

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Elvis

77%

94%

Elvis

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elvis

Girl You Know It's True

85%

90%

Girl You Know It's True

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Girl You Know It's True

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Synopsis

New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold's A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.

Director: James Mangold
Producer: Fred Berger, Bob Bookman, Timothée Chalamet, Alan Gasmer, Alex Heineman, Peter Jaysen, James Mangold, Jeff Rosen
Screenwriter: James Mangold, Jay Cocks
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Production Co: Searchlight Pictures, The Picture Company, Veritas Entertainment Group, Turnpike Films, Automatik Entertainment
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2024, Wide
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1