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Action thriller

Rebel (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Rebel (2023) movie poster

Rebel is a 2023 action thriller directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, starring Lubna Azabal as Leila Wasaki, Younes Bouab and Junes Lazaar. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $173,121 worldwide on a $90 million budget. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$173.1K
Echo Score
80
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Rebel (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Directors
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller
Original language
Arabic
Budget
$90M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rebel About?

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

Amidst a turbulent crisis, two brothers find themselves divided by opposing loyalties. One brother travels to assist Syrian refugees, while the other remains to care for their mother. However, the younger sibling’s sense of duty is challenged when the older brother’s radicalized beliefs and true identity are exposed, forcing a difficult confrontation and an agonizing choice between family bonds and personal morality.

Rebel Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • planet
  • robot
  • weapon
  • gun
  • female protagonist
  • female warrior
  • another planet
  • violence
  • moon
  • warrior
  • spaceship
  • enemy
+38 more
  • epic
  • outer space
  • part one
  • first part
  • epic action
  • epic adventure
  • epic drama
  • epic fantasy
  • epic sci fi
  • assault rifle
  • boy
  • space sci fi
  • science fantasy
  • bar
  • murder
  • asian woman
  • rape attempt
  • quadruped
  • melee weapon
  • talking robot
  • slow motion action scene
  • shot in the torso
  • tentacled creature
  • bare chested male
  • gay alien
  • male nudity
  • death of leader
  • fight
  • simple man
  • heroine
  • gay character
  • space
  • galaxy
  • young
  • technology
  • teenager
  • teenage girl
  • space opera
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Cast & crew

Rebel Cast & Characters

Lubna Azabal leads the cast as Leila Wasaki, with Younes Bouab as Abu Amar and Junes Lazaar as Samurai Rider. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Rebel

· 16 more
From the directors

More from Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

More films directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, best-rated first: Bad Boys for Life, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Gangstas and Gangsta.

Ratings

Rebel Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rebel 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in character & emotion (70).

80 /100

Rebel Echo Score Breakdown

Rebel delivers a potent examination of political extremism through a visually ambitious framework that often succeeds in engaging the audience. Critics praise its direction, long takes, and raw emotional resonance, while noting that the film’s length and occasional over‑spectacle can dilute its impact. The performances, particularly the lead’s, are highlighted as compelling, though some characters feel under‑developed. Overall, the movie offers a compelling, if uneven, experience that rewards attentive viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, Rebel showcases confident long takes and meticulously staged sequences that underscore its thematic weight. Critics commend the film’s bold cinematography and inventive framing, though some argue that the penchant for maximalist spectacle overwhelms subtle storytelling. Editing is noted as occasionally loose, leading to a runtime that feels stretched. Overall, the artistry is strong but occasionally over‑ambitious.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating performances and emotional depth, Rebel benefits from several nuanced portrayals that elicit empathy and tension. Reviewers highlight the lead’s gripping presence and moments of raw chemistry among the family members. Conversely, a few critics feel certain characters, such as Nassim, are reduced to narrative tools rather than fully realized figures. The overall character work is compelling despite isolated shortcomings.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The narrative tackles the recruitment tactics of extremist groups through the lens of a Muslim family, offering a gritty and often harrowing plot. Critics commend its logical structure and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, yet some note that the film’s length and grandiose spectacle sometimes hinder pacing and clarity. While the story is largely engaging, intermittent over‑extension detracts from its cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 74

    Rewatch factor is bolstered by the film’s intense emotional currents and striking visual sequences, which invite deeper analysis on subsequent viewings. While the story’s length and occasional over‑spectacle may lessen immediate repeat appeal, the layered themes and strong performances reward attentive audiences. Consequently, the movie holds solid replay value for those willing to engage with its demanding material.

Plot

Rebel Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Rebel 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

The Motherworld has experienced a turbulent reign marked by the succession of 1000 kings, each draining their planet’s resources and expanding their empire through relentless conquest. However, a turning point occurs when an assassin eliminates the King and Queen, extinguishing the royal bloodline forever. Seizing control in the ensuing chaos is Senator Balisarius, who begins ruthlessly quashing rebellions in the empire’s far reaches by deploying his most fearsome commander, Atticus Noble (portrayed by Ed Skrein).

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Rebel Box Office & Budget

Rebel grossed $173,121 worldwide on a $90 million budget. $10,500 came from the US and Canada and $162,621 (94%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$173.1K

US & Canada
$10.5K
International
$162.6K
Budget
$90M
US & Canada 6% Rest of the world 94%
Videos

Rebel Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 teasers.

Rebelde | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Teaser Rebelde | Official Teaser | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rebel?

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
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  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

What was the primary reason for the downfall of the royal family in Motherworld?

Details

Rebel Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “嘻哈反叛者” and “Rebel - Der Weg in die Isis”.

Also known as
  • 嘻哈反叛者
  • Rebel - Der Weg in die Isis
  • Asi
  • 叛逆者
  • Rebel - In den Fängen des Terrors
  • 로스트 인 시리아
  • Бунтарь

Seen Rebel?

FAQ

Rebel FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Rebel, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rebel?

Rebel runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Rebel released?

Rebel was released on September 15, 2023.

Who directed Rebel?

Rebel was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.

More films by Adil El Arbi

Who is in the cast of Rebel?

Rebel stars Lubna Azabal as Leila Wasaki, Younes Bouab as Abu Amar and Junes Lazaar as Samurai Rider, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Rebel make at the box office?

Rebel grossed $173,121 worldwide ($10,500 domestic, $162,621 international) on a budget of $90 million.

How is Rebel rated?

Rebel has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74% on TMDB and 3.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Rebel have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Rebel in?

The original language of Rebel is Arabic.

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