The Mauritanian

2021, Mystery & thriller/Drama, 2h 9m

214 Reviews 500+ Ratings

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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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

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.

Cast & Crew

Jodie Foster
Nancy Hollander
Tahar Rahim
Mohamedou Ould Slahi
Shailene Woodley
Teri Duncan
Benedict Cumberbatch
Stu Couch
Zachary Levi
Neil Buckland
Saamer Usmani
Arjun
Langley Kirkwood
Sergeant Sands
Corey Johnson
Bill Seidel
Kevin Macdonald
Director
M.B. Traven
Screenwriter
Rory Haines
Screenwriter
Sohrab Noshirvani
Screenwriter
Adam Ackland
Producer
Leah Clarke
Producer
Benedict Cumberbatch
Producer
Lloyd Levin
Producer
Beatriz Levin
Producer
Mark Holder
Producer
Christine Holder
Producer
Branwen Prestwood Smith
Producer
Michael Bronner
Producer
Michael Bloom
Executive Producer
Rose Garnett
Executive Producer
Micah Green
Executive Producer
Robert A. Halmi
Executive Producer
Ryan Heller
Executive Producer
Zak Kilberg
Executive Producer
Jim Reeve
Executive Producer
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Critic Reviews for The Mauritanian

All Critics (214) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (161) | Rotten (53)
Full Review… Udita Jhunjhunwala Scroll.in Full Review… Mark Kermode Kermode & Mayo's Film Review Full Review… Simran Hans Observer (UK) Full Review… Donald Clarke Irish Times Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK) Full Review… Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) Full Review… Daniel Howat Next Best Picture Full Review… James Luxford City AM Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Matt Hudson What I Watched Tonight Full Review… Witney Seibold Critically Acclaimed Podcast Full Review… Fernanda Solórzano Letras Libres
View All Critic Reviews (214)

Audience Reviews for The Mauritanian

  • May 14, 2021
    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.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
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