Athena (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Athena is a 2022 action thriller directed by Romain Gavras, starring Dali Benssalah as Abdel, Sami Slimane and Ouassini Embarek. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Romain Gavras
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Athena About?
The premise of Athena without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following a tragic confrontation with police, Abdel returns home to the troubled town of Athena. His brother's death ignites a volatile situation, forcing Abdel to navigate the conflicting desires of his family. His younger brother Karim seeks revenge, while their older sibling Moktar is entangled with the local criminal network. As tensions rise, Athena descends into chaos, becoming a battleground where loyalty and vengeance collide.
Athena Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- brother
- fight
- chaos
- brother brother relationship
- mother son relationship
- bare chested male
- life
- psychological thriller
- ghetto
- suburb
- police station
- france
+38 more Show fewer
- one word title
- suspense
- electronic music score
- 2020s
- tension
- visceral
- no opening credits
- long take
- opening action scene
- one day timespan
- urban setting
- urban decay
- social decay
- urban warfare
- civil war
- disaster
- disaster film
- neo noir
- overhead camera shot
- grindhouse
- grindhouse film
- chanting
- gang
- gang leader
- revenge
- hatred
- anger
- righteous rage
- loss of brother
- family relationships
- murder of a child
- racism
- controversial
- person on fire
- fire
- arson
- molotov cocktail
- explosion
Athena Cast & Characters
Dali Benssalah leads the cast as Abdel, with Sami Slimane as Karim and Ouassini Embarek as Moktar. Directed by Romain Gavras; 11 actors are credited in all.
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Director Romain Gavras
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Dali Benssalah as Abdel -
Sami Slimane as Karim -
Ouassini Embarek as Moktar -
Alexis Manenti as Sébastien
Also Starring in Athena
· 7 more- Mehdi Abdelhakmi
- Anthony Bajon Jérôme
- Birane Ba Le négociateur
- Radostina Rogliano
- Karim Lasmi Imam
- Tarek Haddaji
- Guy Donald Koukissa
More from Romain Gavras
More films directed by Romain Gavras, best-rated first: The World Is Yours, Our Day Will Come, Sacrifice and Easy Pizza Riderz.
Athena Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Athena 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in character & emotion (50).
Athena Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of overall impact, Athena delivers a strikingly visceral cinematic experience that is buoyed by its daring visual style and technical bravura, yet it is hampered by underdeveloped characters and a story that loses momentum. Critics highlight the film’s electrifying action and purposeful chaos, while many viewers point to narrative thinness and uneven emotional resonance. The combination yields a film that impresses on a sensory level but struggles to sustain lasting narrative engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of cinematography and production design, Athena excels with audacious long takes, kinetic camera work, and a vivid, high‑contrast palette that underscores the film’s chaotic setting. Critics repeatedly commend the technical virtuosity and the director’s ability to choreograph complex riot sequences. Some reviewers note that the relentless visual intensity can become exhausting, yet the overall craftsmanship remains a standout element.
- Character & Emotion 50
When assessing character depth and performance, the film presents a mixed picture. While a few reviewers acknowledge moments of strong acting and chemistry among the brothers, the majority cite thinly drawn personalities and a lack of emotional nuance. The script’s focus on spectacle often overshadows character development, resulting in protagonists that feel more functional than fully realized.
- Story & Flow 55
The narrative architecture oscillates between gripping urgency and uneven pacing. Critics praise the film’s daring depiction of civil unrest and its timely political commentary, yet several observations point to repetitive sequences and a climax that undermines earlier stakes. User feedback similarly notes a plot that feels under‑cooked, with occasional moments of surprise but an overall sense of narrative thinness.
- Sensory Experience 80
The sensory experience stands out as a dominant strength, with a thundering soundtrack, aggressive sound design, and striking visual compositions that amplify the film’s chaotic tone. Reviewers commend the immersive soundscape and bold color choices, although some mention that the relentless intensity may fatigue viewers. Overall, the auditory‑visual blend reinforces the movie’s visceral impact.
- Rewatch Factor 60
The film offers a compelling rush for viewers attracted to kinetic action and political urgency, yet its repetitive sequences and underdeveloped narrative reduce its long‑term allure. While some audiences appreciate the visceral spectacle enough to revisit key set‑pieces, the lack of deeper character arcs and story resolution limits broader rewatch enthusiasm.
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IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
User score 5.4
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
403 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Athena Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Athena from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lieutenant Abdel, Dali Benssalah, an Algerian-French soldier, stands at a press conference outside a police station after his 13-year-old brother Idir dies in hospital, apparently the result of a brutal beating by three policemen. He appeals for calm and restraint, but Karim, Sami Slimane, leads a group of youths to disrupt the moment—tossing a Molotov cocktail and raiding the station. They escape with a weapons locker, some tactical gear, and a police van, then return to Athena, the banlieue where Abdel grew up, determined to barricade themselves and the residents inside the towering housing complex.
Full summary
The whole story of Athena, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Athena Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 teasers.
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Teaser ATHENA Trailer (2022) Dali Benssalah, Alexis Manenti
How Well Do You Know Athena?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which character is the Algerian‑French lieutenant who calls for calm after his brother's death?
Athena Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “RG03” and “Moussa”.
- Also known as
-
- RG03
- Moussa
- อเธน่า
- Atenea
- آتنا
- 아테나
- 雅典娜
- АФІНА
- Афина
- אתנה
- アテナ
- Athéné
+4 more Show fewer
- أثينا
- ΑΘΗΝΑ
- Atena
- Atenas
Seen Athena?
Movies Like Athena
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including AKA, Al Mouled and Κάθαρση.
Athena FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Athena, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Athena?
Athena runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was Athena released?
Athena was released on September 9, 2022.
Who directed Athena?
Athena was directed by Romain Gavras.
More films by Romain Gavras Who is in the cast of Athena?
Athena stars Dali Benssalah as Abdel, Sami Slimane as Karim and Ouassini Embarek as Moktar, among 11 credited actors.
How is Athena rated?
Athena has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Athena have a post-credit scene?
No. Athena has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Athena in?
The original language of Athena is French.
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