Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Documentary

The Challenge (2017): Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Challenge (2017) movie poster

The Challenge is a 2017 documentary directed by Yuri Ancarani. It runs 1 hour 9 minutes and earned $11,043 worldwide. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$11K
Echo Score
60
Metascore
69
Loading streaming availability…
The Challenge (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 9m (69 min)
Director
Yuri Ancarani
Genre
Documentary
Original language
Arabic
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Challenge About?

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

This documentary explores the extravagant world of Qatari sheikhs and their passion for falconry and high-speed driving. Through stunning visuals, Italian artist Yuri Ancarani captures their lavish lifestyle, showcasing private jets, Ferraris, and expansive sand dune landscapes. The film offers a surreal and cinematic portrayal of opulence, earning Ancarani recognition with the Filmmaker of the Present award at the Locarno Film Festival.

Loading streaming availability…
Crew

The Director of The Challenge

Directed by Yuri Ancarani.

From the director

More from Yuri Ancarani

More films directed by Yuri Ancarani: Il popolo delle donne, Atlantide and Da Vinci.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Challenge Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Challenge 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in character & emotion (30).

60 /100

The Challenge Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Challenge excels as a sensory showcase but offers limited narrative and emotional engagement. Most critics highlight its striking compositions and immersive visuals while noting the near absence of dialogue and conventional storytelling. The film’s abstract structure and measured pacing support an evocative atmosphere but hinder character depth and plot coherence. In sum, The Challenge presents a compelling visual experience that may not fully satisfy viewers seeking traditional narrative or emotional connection.

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 art and craft, The Challenge delivers consistently striking visuals and precise composition. Critics praise the expansive widescreen color palettes and immersive long takes that function like a gallery of moving portraits. Direction remains restrained yet purposeful, with editing choices emphasizing form over narrative. Overall, the film’s craftsmanship stands out as its most compelling attribute.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When it comes to character and emotional depth, the film offers minimal development and limited resonance. The near absence of dialogue and the focus on abstract imagery leave performances and relationships largely undefined. While some moments suggest vicarious immersion, the lack of interpersonal dynamics prevents substantive emotional connection. Accordingly, character engagement is one of the more challenging aspects of the experience.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, The Challenge adopts an abstract structure that prioritizes atmosphere over narrative clarity. The pacing is deliberate and episodic, with critics noting repetitive imagery and minimal plot development. Cross-cutting sequences offer visual variety but do little to establish a coherent storyline. Ultimately, the film’s narrative approach may intrigue viewers seeking unconventional pacing while frustrating those expecting traditional plot progression.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels through its rich visual and acoustic design. Critics emphasize the immersive long takes, wide-screen compositions, and the subtle layering of ambient sound that conveys the sport’s energy. While dialogue is sparse, the auditory cues and measured soundtrack enhance the dreamlike mood. These elements combine to create a cohesive and evocative sensory environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When it comes to rewatch value, The Challenge may hold limited appeal for repeat viewing. The film’s focus on abstraction and minimal narrative can reduce its accessibility on subsequent watches. Although the visual compositions remain striking, the lack of evolving story or emotional development offers little additional insight over time. As a result, replay value is modest and best suited for viewers drawn primarily to formal experimentation.

Plot

The Challenge Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Challenge from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A self-assured young man hailing from Tennessee, Lot McGuire (played by Chad Everett), seeks to substantiate his claim of being the fastest gun in the West. As he famously declares, >“If a man is second best, he might as well be dead.” Driven by this belief, he journeys to a town with the sole aim of challenging the illustrious Marshal Dan Blaine (portrayed by Glenn Ford), whose prowess with a firearm is legendary.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Challenge Box Office

The Challenge grossed $11,043 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$11K

US & Canada
$11K
Videos

The Challenge Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Challenge.

The Challenge – Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Challenge?

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

What is Lot McGuire's main ambition in the movie?

Details

The Challenge Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “沙漠之寶” and “Haaste”.

Also known as
  • 沙漠之寶
  • Haaste
  • Виклик
  • 谁与争锋

Seen The Challenge?

FAQ

The Challenge FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is The Challenge?

The Challenge runs 1 hour 9 minutes (69 minutes).

When was The Challenge released?

The Challenge was released on September 8, 2017.

Who directed The Challenge?

The Challenge was directed by Yuri Ancarani.

More films by Yuri Ancarani

How much did The Challenge make at the box office?

The Challenge grossed $11,043 worldwide.

How is The Challenge rated?

The Challenge has 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Challenge have a post-credit scene?

No. The Challenge has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Challenge in?

The original language of The Challenge is Arabic.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app