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Biographical drama

A Complete Unknown (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

A Complete Unknown (2024) movie poster

A Complete Unknown is a 2024 biographical drama directed by James Mangold, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Scoot McNairy and Edward Norton. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes and earned $140.5 million worldwide on a $70 million budget. It won 2 awards from 34 nominations, among them 8 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
worldwide gross
$140.5M
awards won
2
Echo Score
72
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
A Complete Unknown (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 21m (141 min)
Director
James Mangold
Genres
Biography , Drama , Music
Original language
English
Studio
Veritas Entertainment
Budget
$70M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Complete Unknown About?

The premise of A Complete Unknown without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Set in the vibrant New York music scene of the early 1960s, the film chronicles the rapid ascent of a 19-year-old musician from Minnesota, Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. The story follows his journey from folk singer to a worldwide sensation, detailing the rise of his songs and the enigmatic persona that captivated audiences. It culminates with his pivotal shift to electric rock and roll, marking a transformative moment in his career.

A Complete Unknown Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1960s
  • johnny cash character
  • newport folk festival
  • bob dylan character
  • pete seeger character
  • joan baez character
  • folk music
  • woody guthrie character
  • new york city
  • based on real people
  • sunglasses
  • musician
+38 more
  • concert
  • broken romance
  • year 1961
  • singer
  • motorcycle
  • folk singer
  • cuban missile crisis
  • based on true story
  • psychiatric hospital
  • guitar
  • electric guitar
  • year 1965
  • singing
  • performer
  • career
  • docudrama drama
  • 20th century
  • life
  • song
  • title based on song
  • period drama
  • boxer shorts
  • reference to buddy holly
  • record store
  • bare chested male
  • music shop
  • songwriting
  • reference to the beatles
  • scrapbook
  • reference to bette davis
  • reference to now voyager
  • movie theater
  • writing a letter
  • reading a letter
  • pete seeger
  • recording studio
  • harmonica
  • folk music fan
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Cast & crew

A Complete Unknown Cast & Characters

Timothée Chalamet leads the cast as Bob Dylan, with Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Directed by James Mangold; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Complete Unknown

· 14 more
Ratings

A Complete Unknown Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Complete Unknown 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

72 /100

A Complete Unknown Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Complete Unknown delivers a compelling portrait of Bob Dylan through striking performances and a richly curated soundtrack, but its narrative structure feels thin and occasionally disjointed. Critics and audiences alike commend Timothée Chalamet’s embodiment of Dylan and the film’s period‑accurate production design, while many note that the plot offers limited dramatic depth. The result is an engaging but uneven biopic that rewards repeat viewings primarily for its music and visual authenticity.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and production design, the film benefits from James Mangold’s confident handling of period detail and set pieces. Reviewers praise the cinematography’s ability to evoke the 1960s atmosphere and commend the sound‑design that supports the musical numbers. Some critics find the visual presentation over‑crowded, but the majority view the craft as polished and effective.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character work, Chalamet’s performance repeatedly earns high marks for capturing Dylan’s vocal and physical mannerisms. Supporting actors such as Edward Norton also receive commendation for their portrayals. Although a few reviewers mention an opaque emotional interior, the consensus is that the acting brings the iconic figures to life with nuance and intensity, anchoring the film’s appeal.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative flow is the film’s most contested element. Several viewers describe the plot as thin, predictable, and at times rushed, limiting emotional impact. Others acknowledge competent pacing and a clear through‑line guiding the musical milestones. Overall, the story is seen as serviceable but lacking the depth and dramatic momentum expected of a comprehensive biopic.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory experience stands out chiefly due to the extensive musical performances and the era‑appropriate soundtrack. Critics highlight the effective sound design that integrates live recordings with studio sessions, and the visual style that reinforces the cultural backdrop. While a minority note occasional overstimulation, the prevailing view is that the film’s auditory and visual components are richly realized.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch value derives primarily from the film’s music and strong lead performances. Audiences who are not Dylan enthusiasts still report enjoyment, suggesting repeat viewings for the period ambiance and concert sequences. However, the thin story and occasional pacing issues temper enthusiasm for multiple viewings, resulting in a solid but not extraordinary rewatch factor.

Plot

A Complete Unknown Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in A Complete Unknown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative unfolds in 1961, capturing the arrival of a youthful Bob Dylan in New York City, eagerly seeking out the legendary musician Woody Guthrie. At the same time, another prominent artist, Pete Seeger, is embroiled in a legal battle over a song penned by Guthrie. Following a court dismissal, Pete, alongside his wife Toshi, performs the inspiring anthem “This Land is Your Land” right outside the courthouse, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Full summary

The whole story of A Complete Unknown, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

A Complete Unknown Box Office & Budget

A Complete Unknown grossed $140.5 million worldwide on a $70 million budget, 2.0 times what it cost. $75 million came from the US and Canada and $65.5 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$140.5M

2.0× its budget

US & Canada
$75M
International
$65.5M
Budget
$70M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

A Complete Unknown Awards & Nominations

A Complete Unknown won 2 awards from 34 nominations, among them 8 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Actor Awards (SAG) 2025, with 1 win from 4 nominations.

2 wins34 nominations10 ceremonies

Show all 10 ceremonies
Videos

A Complete Unknown Trailers & Videos

103 videos: 3 trailers, 52 teasers, 5 clips, 35 featurettes and 8 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 103 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Trailer Be the first to watch at home, nominated for 8 Academy Awards®.
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Teaser Rebel
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Complete Unknown?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which year does the film open?
Cars

Cars in A Complete Unknown

60 cars on screen, including the 1964 Triumph Bonneville T120 and the 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

All 60 cars
  • 1964 Triumph Bonneville T120 in A Complete Unknown 1964 Triumph Bonneville T120 Main role
  • 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in A Complete Unknown 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Minor role
  • 1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible in A Complete Unknown 1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Minor role
  • 1962 Checker Marathon in A Complete Unknown 1962 Checker Marathon Minor role
Details

A Complete Unknown Also Known As

36 alternative titles, including “Going Electric” and “Potpuni neznanac”.

Also known as
  • Going Electric
  • Potpuni neznanac
  • 巴布狄倫：搖滾詩人
  • 完全未知
  • Un Completo Desconocido
  • O necunoscută completă
  • Tamamiylə Bilinməyən
  • Un Parfait Inconnu
  • Like A Complete Unknown
  • 名もなき者／A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
  • Напълно непознат
  • Bob Dylan: Úplně neznámý
+24 more
  • 컴플리트 언노운
  • Um Completo Desconhecido
  • Bob Dylan: Tam Bir Bilinmez
  • 名もなき者/A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
  • Kompletnie nieznany
  • 搖滾詩人：未知的傳奇
  • ไร้ตัวตนคนเปี่ยมฝัน
  • Боб Ділан: Цілковитий незнайомець
  • Боб Дилан: Никому Не Известный
  • 无名小辈, ბობ დილანი: ყველასთვის უცნობი
  • Bob Dylan: Popolni neznanec
  • Täiesti tundmatu
  • אנונימי לגמרי
  • Kẻ Du Ca Vô Định
  • Bob Dylan: Potpuni neznanac
  • Bob Dillan: Heç kimə məlum olmayan
  • Bob Dylan: Úplne neznámy
  • Bob Dylan: A Complete Unknown
  • Bob Dylan: Visiškai nežinomas
  • یک ناشناخته کامل
  • Боб Дилан: Потпуни незнанац
  • Цалкам ананімна
  • Sehol se otthon
  • مجهول تماماً

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From the blog

Articles About A Complete Unknown

4 articles about A Complete Unknown. The latest: “The Ultimate 2025 Oscars Nominations Guide: Surprises, Snubs, and Must-Know Insights”.

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FAQ

A Complete Unknown FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of A Complete Unknown, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Complete Unknown?

A Complete Unknown runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).

When was A Complete Unknown released?

A Complete Unknown was released on December 25, 2024.

Who directed A Complete Unknown?

A Complete Unknown was directed by James Mangold.

More films by James Mangold

Who is in the cast of A Complete Unknown?

A Complete Unknown stars Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, among 18 credited actors.

How much did A Complete Unknown make at the box office?

A Complete Unknown grossed $140.5 million worldwide ($75 million domestic, $65.5 million international) on a budget of $70 million.

How is A Complete Unknown rated?

A Complete Unknown has 7.3/10 on IMDb and 70 on Metacritic.

What awards did A Complete Unknown win?

A Complete Unknown won 2 awards from 34 nominations, including Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the Actor Awards (SAG) 2025.

Does A Complete Unknown have a post-credit scene?

No. A Complete Unknown has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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