The Mauritanian

R

Released Feb 12, 2021

2 hr. 9 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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List

75%

218 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir "Guantánamo Diary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, this is the inspiring true story of Slahi's fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.

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Critics Consensus

The Mauritanian takes a frustratingly generic approach to a real-life story that might have been inspirational in other hands, but Tahar Rahim's performance elevates the uneven material.

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Audience Consensus

Even for audience members who've already been educated about Guantánamo, The Mauritanian will be an eye-opening, gut-wrenching experience.

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Margaret

It was a very good movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/21

Full Review

Gloria G

I liked the fact that it was a true story and well presented. Great to see Jody Foster on the screen again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/21

Full Review

Jill

Well done! Important to watch and open your eyes!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/21

Full Review

ZAYN

This movie shows the real side of the world ,the truth behind America and showing muslims as a terrorist.. I don't even know how this movie got accepted by the US.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Alec B

Heavy handed but on that front it mostly gets a pass for covering such shameful recent history that has unfortunately been forgotten by the public at large.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Mike W

The movie has excellent acting and screen play. It is not entertaining but intense and unfortunately educational, unfortunate because it depicts a despicable chapter in recent american history. The movie will leave the viewer with a lot to ponder.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

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Kevin Macdonald

Director

Jodie Foster

Nancy Hollander

Tahar Rahim

Mohamedou Ould Slahi

Shailene Woodley

Teri Duncan

Benedict Cumberbatch

Stu Couch

Zachary Levi

Neil Buckland

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The Mauritanian: Deleted Scene - Revelation

1:39

The Mauritanian: Trailer 2

1:24

The Mauritanian: Trailer 1

3:01

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Scroll.in

Filmed largely indoors and in often claustrophobic spaces, the movie isn't always subtle, but its impact is felt particularly in the scenes featuring Rahim. His powerful performance is supported respectfully by Foster, Cumberbatch and Woodley.

Apr 16, 2021

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

The subject is charismatic in a way that the film is not. But he is VERY charismatic, and it's his performance that sees this through.

Apr 6, 2021

Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

The real-life story is enraging, and it's fun to see Benedict Cumberbatch's morally conflicted military prosecutor lock horns with Foster's icy human rights lawyer.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 4, 2021

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

The must-watch, shocking, real-life story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi is told through a formulaic yet efficient screenplay, placing the spotlight on Tahar Rahim’s exceptional, award-worthy performance.

Rated: B-

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Alessandra Rangel

InSession Film

By offering a sentimental and manipulative look – and always through the eyes of American people – on the War on Terror, it praises the American point of view, degrading the humanity of those that are directly affected by it.

Rated: C+

Mar 21, 2023

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Despite Tahar Rahim’s gut-wrenching turn, The Mauritanian never develops the gripping story it aspires to.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 11, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir "Guantánamo Diary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, this is the inspiring true story of Slahi's fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Executive Producer: Michael Bloom, Rose Garnett, Micah Green, Robert A. Halmi, Ryan Heller, Zak Kilberg, Jim Reeve
Screenwriter: M.B. Traven, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani
Distributor: STXfilms
Production Co: Shadowplay Features, BBC Films, SunnyMarch, 30West, Topic Studios, Wonder Street, Convergent Media., Great Point Media
Rating: R (Language|A Sexual Assault|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 12, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $832.4K

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