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Drama thriller

Shéhérazade (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Shéhérazade (2019) movie poster

Shéhérazade is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Jean-Bernard Marlin, starring Kenza Fortas as Shéhérazade, Idir Azougli and Dylan Robert. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $966,225 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget. Critics gave it 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
worldwide gross
$966.2K
Echo Score
80
Metascore
68
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Shéhérazade (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Romance
Original language
French
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$2.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shéhérazade About?

The premise of Shéhérazade without spoilers.

A young man, left by his mother, struggles to survive on the streets of France. He's drawn into a criminal underworld, confronting difficult choices and the consequences of his actions. As he navigates this challenging existence, he desperately seeks understanding and a sense of belonging, all while confronting a painful past.

Shéhérazade Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • 2010s
  • one word title
  • archive footage
  • begins with prisoner release
  • paroled convict
  • prostitution
  • prostitute
  • sex with prostitute
  • street prostitute
  • prostitute beaten up
  • youth shelter
  • social worker
+27 more
  • gypsy boy
  • troubled youth
  • single mother
  • thumb sucking
  • drug abuse
  • pimp
  • bruised face
  • nightclub
  • friends fighting
  • hatred
  • anger
  • violence against a woman
  • urban violence
  • youth violence
  • social violence
  • omerta
  • code of silence
  • severed finger
  • magistrate
  • falling in love with a prostitute
  • marseille accent
  • character name as title
  • marseille france
  • transgender woman
  • transgender
  • violence
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Shéhérazade Cast & Characters

Kenza Fortas leads the cast as Shéhérazade, with Idir Azougli as Ryad and Dylan Robert as Zachary. Directed by Jean-Bernard Marlin; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Shéhérazade

· 6 more
Ratings

Shéhérazade Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Shéhérazade 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).

80 /100

Shéhérazade Echo Score Breakdown

Shéhérazade excels in its raw immediacy and authentic performances while its familiar narrative occasionally limits its impact. Critics and audiences alike note the director’s deft use of vérité-style cinematography and strong work with a nonprofessional cast, highlighting moments of genuine emotion. However, the storyline’s predictable beats and occasional plotholes prevent deeper engagement. Overall, the film leaves a lasting impression through its realism and emotional honesty, despite narrative conventions that feel well-worn.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates confident visual design and skilled technical execution. Critics praise the vérité-inspired color palette and fluid camera movements, noting that editing choices enhance the unfolding drama. The production design effectively conveys the gritty urban setting without distracting from character interactions. Overall, the direction and cinematography deliver a cohesive aesthetic that grounds the story in a vivid, lived-in world.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances from the nonprofessional cast offer strong immediacy and natural chemistry. Observers highlight the leading actor’s compelling presence and the supporting ensemble’s raw authenticity, which foster emotional resonance in key scenes. At times, character motivations feel underexplored, and a few figures register as less sympathetic or fully developed. Nonetheless, the core relationship carries enough depth to sustain audience investment throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds at a measured pace but leans on familiar tropes of urban crime and star-crossed romance. Reviewers point to engaging courtroom and tension-filled sequences, yet the overall plot’s predictability and occasional narrative gaps dampen its originality. Some viewers found the drifting structure reflective of characters’ aimlessness, while others noted that unresolved subplots create minor distractions. The net effect is an engaging yet conventional storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s visual style and sound design work in concert to create an immersive atmosphere. Authentic street ambience and regional slang draw viewers into the world, supported by a sparse soundtrack that underscores emotional beats without overwhelming. The fluid editing enhances the impact of key moments, such as the motorcycle tracking shot and courtroom scenes. As a result, the sensory cohesion reinforces the film’s realistic tone and emotional core.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    On the rewatch factor, Shéhérazade offers moments of striking authenticity that reward repeat viewings, particularly in performances and technical detail. The nuanced dialogue and layered visual composition invite closer attention to subtleties initially missed. However, the familiar narrative structure and limited plot innovation may reduce its long-term novelty. Overall, the film maintains moderate replay value through its raw depiction of characters and environment, even if the storyline feels well-worn.

Box office

Shéhérazade Box Office & Budget

Shéhérazade grossed $966,225 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget, 45% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$966.2K

45% of its budget back

International
$966.2K
Budget
$2.2M
Videos

Shéhérazade Videos

The clip of Shéhérazade.

Details

Shéhérazade Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “셰에라자드” and “Шехерезада”.

Also known as
  • 셰에라자드
  • Шехерезада
  • Шахерезада
  • Seherezádé
  • 舍赫拉查德
  • שהרזאד
  • Sheherazade

Seen Shéhérazade?

FAQ

Shéhérazade FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Shéhérazade?

Shéhérazade runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Shéhérazade released?

Shéhérazade was released on May 10, 2019.

Who directed Shéhérazade?

Shéhérazade was directed by Jean-Bernard Marlin.

Who is in the cast of Shéhérazade?

Shéhérazade stars Kenza Fortas as Shéhérazade, Idir Azougli as Ryad and Dylan Robert as Zachary, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Shéhérazade make at the box office?

Shéhérazade grossed $966,225 worldwide on a budget of $2.2 million.

How is Shéhérazade rated?

Shéhérazade has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 68 on Metacritic, 72% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Shéhérazade have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Shéhérazade in?

The original language of Shéhérazade is French.

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