The Most Unknown

2018

1h 28m

Documentary

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The Most Unknown: Trailer 1

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12 Reviews

62%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Nine scientists travel to extraordinary parts of the world to uncover the answers to some of humanity's biggest questions.

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Sarah Larson

New Yorker

Cheney's goal isn't so much to inform as to inspire, and it's vicariously exciting to watch his subjects step out of their own research and into that of their peers.

Jun 12, 2018

Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

"The Most Unknown" feels like a science documentary cross-fertilized with that sentimental old Coke commercial - the smartest among us holding hands across the globe, charting our universe in happy harmony.

May 24, 2018

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John DeFore

Hollywood Reporter

With so many discussions to drop in on, each with its own stuff to show off...each sequence can only hint at what's fascinating about its field.

May 17, 2018

Full Review

Tricia Olszewski

Washington City Paper

The problem is that, although the topics themselves are interesting, it's obviously impossible for anyone to go into much depth in a 92-minute film, resulting in generalities that hardly enlighten.

Mar 15, 2019

Full Review

Sherilyn Connelly

SF Weekly

None of the nine scientific pursuits on display can be covered in-depth, but there are still mindblowers... The Most Unknown demonstrates how both science and society can progress.

Jun 28, 2018

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

In the meantime, this is the most intelligent package of cultural-scientific information of the year 2018, wherever you catch it.

Jun 27, 2018

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georgan g

The thing is, nerds & not as smart people will enjoy this film for different reasons. The bright ones will get a short course in several scientific themes whereas the rest of us get to see just how cool science actually is!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Half way through is where this film comes into its element. The start of this film is filled with awkwardness. There are so many scenes where the real scientists are just shaking their heads at the pure miscomprehension of the 'scientific' leads that it is just painful to watch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredible learning experience but ultimately how little we human do know. Somehow that felt freeing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

An incredible piece of documentary and film making from Ian Cheney. The movie is an unbroken loop of discussion that mirrors the fundamental succession of scientific knowledge. It is a moving model for the increasing need of interdisciplinary discussion and it ripe for lay and technical audiences alike.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tedious and uninteresting. Like overhearing a conversation between a bunch of nerds at a cafeteria.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

william k

Unusual, but fascinating documentary which confronts scientists of disciplines from physics to psychology to meet each other and discuss the great unknowns of their fields (and as such the big questions of our existence and our universe); the film does simplified insights in the science, but much more reflects the scientists' enthusiasm.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Ian Cheney

Director

Anil Seth

Actor

Laurie Santos

Actor

Greg Boustead

Executive Producer

Thobey Campion

Executive Producer

Ian Cheney

Producer

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The Most Unknown: Trailer 1

1:56

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Synopsis

Nine scientists travel to extraordinary parts of the world to uncover the answers to some of humanity's biggest questions.

Director: Ian Cheney
Producer: Greg Boustead, Thobey Campion
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2018
Runtime: 1h 28m