Martyr (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Martyr is a 2018 fantasy drama directed by Mazen Khaled, starring Carol Abboud, Hamza Mekdad and Hadi Bou Ayash. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes. IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Mazen Khaled
- Original language
-
Arabic
- Studio
- Breaking Glass Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Martyr About?
The premise of Martyr without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following a devastating event, a tight-knit community is forced to confront buried tensions and unspoken truths. A family mourning their loss must navigate difficult relationships and unexpected revelations as they search for healing and understanding within the fractured social fabric of their town. The tragedy exposes long-held secrets that challenge their perceptions and test the bonds that hold them together.
Martyr Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- male rear nudity
- hairy chest
- male nudity
- male frontal nudity
- death
- drowning
- grief
- swimming
- friendship between men
- beirut lebanon
- homoerotic friendship
- beard
+38 more Show fewer
- jumping into water
- moped
- washing a dead body
- carrying a dead body
- pubic hair
- male full frontal nudity
- male pubic hair
- homoeroticism
- death of friend
- death of son
- bare chested male
- breaking the fourth wall
- freeze frame
- abstract
- islam
- rites
- tableau vivant
- seaside
- ennui
- friendship
- special friend
- mediterranean sea
- shower
- muslim
- mother son relationship
- beach
- sea
- butt hair
- camera focus on male butt
- hand
- arm pit hair
- penis
- man caresses himself
- erection
- man masturbates in shower
- riding a scooter
- friends relationship
- muscled men
Martyr Cast & Characters
Carol Abboud leads the cast, with Hamza Mekdad as Hassane and Hadi Bou Ayash. Directed by Mazen Khaled; 6 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mazen Khaled
- Carol Abboud
- Hamza Mekdad as Hassane
- Hadi Bou Ayash
- Rashad Nasreddine
Also Starring in Martyr
· 2 moreMartyr Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Martyr 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Martyr Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Martyr offers a visually arresting but narratively elusive experience. The film’s formal composition and water-and-body motifs have been praised for their hypnotic quality, while critics note that its unconventional structure and minimal storytelling can feel protracted. Performances are effective in conveying grief, yet character development remains intentionally sketchy. Ultimately, the film’s immersive sensory strengths are offset by an abstract narrative approach that may challenge viewers seeking conventional coherence.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, Martyr excels in its deliberate camera movements and water motifs. The cinematography frequently lingers on subtle textures and a subdued color palette, reinforcing an immersive mood. Production design and editing emphasize fluid transitions, though some viewers find certain sequences extraneous. Overall, the film’s formal composition underpins its thematic depth and manifests a unified visual identity.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to character and emotion, the film relies on strong performances that give shape to otherwise sketch-like figures. Acting is consistently compelling, generating a sense of mournful intimacy even as inner lives remain largely abstract. Chemistry among characters communicates an undercurrent of longing, and moments of emotional resonance emerge amid minimal dialogue. The net effect is an evocative but intentionally restrained character portrayal.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, Martyr opts for an elliptical narrative that privileges mood over plot coherence. Pacing is measured yet sometimes feels protracted, with vignette-like scenes that some viewers find extraneous. While the film’s originality in structure has attracted admiration, its abstract approach can undermine engagement for those expecting a traditional storyline. The overall narrative remains thought-provoking but demands patience and an open-minded perspective.
- Sensory Experience 85
When assessing the sensory experience, Martyr offers a hypnotic blend of sound and imagery that fosters an immersive atmosphere. The score and sound design are understated, enhancing moments of silence and water immersion. Visually, the film employs an understated color palette and deliberate framing to evoke mournful grace. Despite occasional repetition, the sensory cohesion remains a primary strength, enveloping viewers in its contemplative tone.
- Rewatch Factor 70
As for rewatch factor, Martyr has demonstrated lasting appeal for viewers drawn to its formal artistry. Several viewers report returning to its evocative imagery and nuanced pacing, finding new emotional layers on subsequent viewings. While its abstract structure may limit replay value for some, those intrigued by its visual and thematic subtleties are likely to revisit the film. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience for repeat engagement.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
2 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Martyr Plot Summary
What happens in Martyr from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Cyrus is a queer poet living in Indiana, recently stepping back from alcohol and drug use as he pieces together a life shaped by memory, loss, and longing. He carries the belief that his mother was killed on Iran Air Flight 655, a tragedy tied to the Iran-Iraq war, and that his own sense of self has grown out of a long history of displacement. The memory of his father, an Iranian migrant worker who spent years on a rural Indiana farm, threads through his introspection, coloring how he understands belonging, trauma, and the passage from youth into a more fragile adulthood. As Cyrus searches for purpose, he becomes consumed by the idea of martyrdom, turning this concept into a project he calls a book of martyrs.
Full summary
The whole story of Martyr, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Martyr?
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
What is the name of the protagonist who is a queer poet living in Indiana?
Martyr Also Known As
Also known as “烈士”.
- Also known as
-
- 烈士
Seen Martyr?
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Martyr FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Martyr, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Martyr?
Martyr runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was Martyr released?
Martyr was released on November 30, 2018.
Who directed Martyr?
Martyr was directed by Mazen Khaled.
Who is in the cast of Martyr?
Martyr stars Carol Abboud, Hamza Mekdad as Hassane and Hadi Bou Ayash, among 6 credited actors.
How is Martyr rated?
Martyr has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 70% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Martyr have a post-credit scene?
No. Martyr has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Martyr in?
The original language of Martyr is Arabic.
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