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Action drama

Mosul (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Mosul (2020) movie poster

Mosul is a 2020 action drama directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan, starring Adam Bessa, Hayat Kamille and Is'haq Elias. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
Echo Score
78
Metascore
71
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Mosul (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Genres
Action , Drama , War
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mosul About?

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

Amidst the ruins of Mosul, a rookie police officer, Kawa, is rescued by the elite Nineveh SWAT team and joins their ranks. Led by the courageous Major Jasem, this unit of ten experienced fighters embarks on a perilous mission to liberate their city. Facing relentless danger, they wage a daring guerrilla campaign against a formidable enemy, determined to reclaim Mosul from the grip of chaos and restore order to the war-torn landscape.

Mosul Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 2010s
  • iraq
  • based on true story
  • police
  • one word title
  • open ended
  • suspense
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • title at the end
  • city
  • city name in title
+38 more
  • mosul iraq
  • urban setting
  • urban decay
  • urban warfare
  • guerilla warfare
  • anti war
  • middle east
  • police officer
  • police officer killed
  • police car
  • police vigilantism
  • ex cop
  • police raid
  • swat team
  • armored car
  • humvee
  • tank
  • military
  • army
  • soldier
  • special forces
  • baseball cap
  • bulletproof vest
  • explosion
  • exploding car
  • car bomb
  • traitor
  • flare
  • moral dilemma
  • rookie
  • rookie cop
  • cafe
  • watching tv
  • cigarette smoking
  • apartment
  • spiral staircase
  • based on article
  • written by director
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Cast & crew

Mosul Cast

Adam Bessa leads the cast, with Hayat Kamille and Is'haq Elias. Directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Mosul Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mosul 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

78 /100

Mosul Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Mosul delivers a compelling and immersive portrayal of urban warfare, though it occasionally struggles with narrative coherence. Most reviews highlight its relentless pacing and authentic stakes that draw viewers directly into the combat, and its focus on local perspectives brings a fresh angle to the genre. However, some criticism arises from underdeveloped secondary characters and a condensed timeline that strains plausibility. On balance, this film stands out as a worthwhile and thought-provoking experience that may not fully resolve all its narrative ambitions.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of cinematography and production design, Mosul exhibits a tactile visual style that grounds its combat sequences in realism. The handheld camera work and measured editing sustain immersive tension, while attention to set detail enhances authenticity. However, some sequences feel too chaotic in framing. Overall, the film’s visual craft successfully supports its gritty narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    In terms of character and emotion, Mosul benefits from strong lead performances that convey determination and resolve. The principal cast delivers nuanced portrayals that anchor the film’s stakes and provide emotional resonance. Yet, secondary figures receive limited development, reducing the impact of their fates. Overall, the depth of central characters sustains audience engagement despite occasional underutilization of supporting roles.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story and flow, Mosul offers a relentless narrative that immerses viewers in continuous conflict without frequent respite. The focus on local perspectives provides originality and contextual clarity, while editorial framing anchors the progression of events. However, the compressed single-day timeline introduces moments of strained plausibility. In sum, the plot maintains engagement but occasionally overreaches its structural ambitions.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, Mosul delivers a visceral soundscape and potent audiovisual intensity. The sound design amplifies the impact of gunfire and explosions, while a sparse score underscores moments of tension. The cohesive visual palette and immersive editing further heighten the immediacy of urban combat. Overall, the film’s sensory approach strongly reinforces its harrowing thematic core.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Mosul presents a powerful one-time experience but offers limited replay value. Its unrelenting intensity and gritty realism create a memorable viewing, yet the nonstop pacing and emotional weight may deter repeat viewings. The focused single-day narrative leaves little room for new discoveries on subsequent watches. In conclusion, the film resonates on first viewing but is less compelling for rewatches.

Plot

Mosul Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mosul 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During the Battle of Mosul, a gripping confrontation unfolds as three Iraqi policemen engage ISIS drug smugglers. The situation escalates quickly when they find themselves outnumbered and out of ammunition while barricaded inside a café. One of these officers, Kawa, portrayed by Adam Bessa, a 21-year-old Feyli Kurd who recently joined the police force, suffers a tragic loss when his uncle is killed in the ensuing chaos. Just in the nick of time, the Nineveh SWAT Team, led by Commander Major Jasem, swings into action to rescue the beleaguered officers and swiftly deal with the drug smugglers.

Full summary

The whole story of Mosul, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Mosul Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mosul.

Official MOSUL film trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mosul?

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

Who are the three Iraqi policemen central to the story?

Cars

Cars in Mosul

35 cars on screen, including the AM General HMMWV M1151 and the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Turbodiesel W124.

All 35 cars
  • AM General HMMWV M1151 in Mosul AM General HMMWV M1151 Main role
  • 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Turbodiesel W124 in Mosul 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Turbodiesel W124 Important role
  • 1997 Toyota Hilux in Mosul 1997 Toyota Hilux Minor role
  • 2002 Toyota Hilux in Mosul 2002 Toyota Hilux Minor role

Seen Mosul?

FAQ

Mosul FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Mosul, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mosul?

Mosul runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Mosul released?

Mosul was released on November 26, 2020.

Who directed Mosul?

Mosul was directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan.

Who is in the cast of Mosul?

Mosul stars Adam Bessa, Hayat Kamille and Is'haq Elias, among 10 credited actors.

How is Mosul rated?

Mosul has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Mosul have a post-credit scene?

No. Mosul has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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