The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2019): Cast & Ratings
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Ken Scott, starring Dhanush as Ajatashatru Lavash Patel, Erin Moriarty and Barkhad Abdi. It is based on The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe by Romain Puértolas and Sam Taylor. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $3.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
English What Is The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir About?
The premise of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir without spoilers, adapted from The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe by Romain Puértolas and Sam Taylor. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young Indian street performer leaves Mumbai seeking his estranged father, leading him on an unpredictable journey to France. In Paris, he encounters a lost American, becomes involved with Somalian refugees, and finds himself amidst a movie star's complicated relationships. His adventures continue across Europe and North Africa, involving hot air balloons, private jets, and cargo ships, as he travels from Folkestone to Barcelona, Rome to Tripoli. Ultimately, his search for his father evolves into a remarkable journey of self-discovery.
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Themes & Keywords
· 5 tags- singing on a truck
- singing in a car
- singing in a police station
- interracial romance
- based on novel
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Cast & Characters
Dhanush leads the cast as Ajatashatru Lavash Patel, with Erin Moriarty as Marie and Barkhad Abdi as Wiraj. Directed by Ken Scott; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ken Scott
-
Dhanush as Ajatashatru Lavash Patel -
Erin Moriarty as Marie -
Barkhad Abdi as Wiraj -
Gérard Jugnot as Gustave
Also Starring in The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
· 6 more- Bérénice Bejo Nelly Marnay
- Ben Miller Officer Smith
- Abel Jafri Captain Fik
- Kay Greidanus Pieter
- Amruta Sant Siringh
- Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse Rose
More from Ken Scott
More films directed by Ken Scott, best-rated first: Starbuck, Delivery Man, Unfinished Business and Once Upon My Mother.
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in rewatch factor (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Echo Score Breakdown
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir delivers a blend of whimsical charm and uneven storytelling that divides critics and audiences alike. Viewers consistently praise its emotional warmth, vibrant visual style, and the lead’s charismatic performance, while critics note episodic contrivances and meandering pacing. In terms of tone, the film balances playful musical interludes with earnest messaging about generosity and hope. Overall, it achieves an engaging, if imperfect, cinematic experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film features a colorful visual palette and inventive production design that evoke both Bollywood exuberance and European fantasy. The direction embraces magical-realism flourishes and lively musical sequences, though the editing occasionally feels disjointed amid rapid shifts in tone. Net effect: a pleasing aesthetic that sometimes strains coherence but remains entertaining.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, the lead delivers a nuanced and engaging performance that anchors the film’s highs. Supporting roles vary in depth: Marie’s subplot is criticized for lacking substance, while episodic figures contribute humor or drama effectively. The chemistry among principal cast members fosters genuine warmth. Ultimately, the film’s emotional core is strong despite uneven character development.
- Story & Flow 60
In matters of story and flow, the narrative unfolds through episodic vignettes that offer originality but can feel meandering. The pacing shifts between brisk comedy, musical interludes, and earnest drama, leading to tonal inconsistency. While audiences find the heartwarming arc and optimistic themes engaging, critics point to contrived plot devices and uneven structure. The net result is an imaginative tale that occasionally loses momentum.
- Sensory Experience 78
Regarding sensory experience, the film employs an understated yet vibrant color scheme complemented by a lyrical soundtrack and effective sound design. Musical numbers integrate smoothly with festive set pieces, and visual coherence remains strong in sequences of magical realism. The score’s emotional cues reinforce moments of tension and joy. Overall, the audiovisual presentation is one of the film’s most compelling strengths.
- Rewatch Factor 80
As a rewatch factor, the film’s blend of optimism, humor, and uplifting messages encourages repeat viewings. Audiences cite its cheerful tone and charming sequences as reasons to return, with the lead’s performance and musical moments offering enduring appeal. While narrative unevenness may deter some on repeat viewings, the film’s heartwarming sensibility and visual flair sustain its lasting attractiveness.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 61% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 83%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 7.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
3 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Plot Summary
What happens in The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ajatashatru “Aja” Lavash Patel, a clever street magician from the vibrant streets of Mumbai, captivates three young inmates with his remarkable saga. His adventure kicks off with the tragic loss of his mother, propelling him on a heartfelt journey to find his estranged father in Paris, armed with nothing more than a counterfeit €100 note. Upon his arrival in the dazzling City of Light, Aja encounters Marie Riviere, an enchanting woman whose charm and intellect instantly draw him in, even though their first meeting is marred by deceit.
Full summary
The whole story of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir, scene by scene
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Box Office
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir grossed $3.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$3.3M
- International
- $3.3M
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir.
How Well Do You Know The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir?
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 does Aja's journey begin with?
Cars in The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
33 cars on screen, including the 2016 Citroën Grand C4 Picasso and the 1990 Land-Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon.
-
2016 Citroën Grand C4 Picasso Important role -
1990 Land-Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon Minor role -
2016 Maserati Ghibli Minor role -
Scania R 500 Minor role
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Also Known As
41 alternative titles, including “Fakiren som fastnade i ett Ikeaskåp” and “Die unglaubliche Reise des Fakirs, der in einem Kleiderschrank feststeckte”.
- Also known as
-
- Fakiren som fastnade i ett Ikeaskåp
- Die unglaubliche Reise des Fakirs, der in einem Kleiderschrank feststeckte
- Den fantastiske reisen til fakiren som gjemte seg i et IKEA-skap
- Pakkiri
- Pakiri
- பக்கிரி
- A Extraordinária Viagem do Faquir
- 跟著IKEA衣櫥去旅行
- L'Extraordinaire Voyage du Fakir
- L'Extraordinaire Voyage du fakir qui était resté coincé dans une armoire Ikea
- クローゼットに閉じこめられた僕の奇想天外な旅
- 苦行僧的非凡旅程
+29 more Show fewer
- Nezvyčajná cesta fakíra, ktorý uviazol v skrini
- De l'Índia a París dins d'un armari d'Ikea
- L'increïble viatge del faquir
- A Extraordinária Jornada do Faquir
- Die unglaubliche Reise des Fakirs
- Невероятные приключения Факира
- 衣柜里的冒险王
- Fakiren som fastnade i ett skåp
- 跟著宜家衣櫃去旅行
- L'incredibile viaggio del fachiro
- Неймовірні пригоди факіра
- Podivuhodná cesta fakíra, ktorý uviazol v skrini
- A fakír, aki egy IKEA szekrényben ragadt
- De la India a París en un armario de Ikea
- Niezwykła podróż fakira, który utknął w szafie
- Невероятното пътешествие на факира
- Podivuhodná cesta fakíra, který uvízl ve skříni
- Fakir: Bir Hint Fakiri'nin Olağanüstü Yolculuğu
- Neparastais Faķīra ceļojums
- Neįtikėtina fakyro kelionė
- המסע המופלא של הפקיר
- มหัศจรรย์ลุ้นรักข้ามโลก
- 이케아 옷장에서 시작된 특별난 여행
- Un millonario con suerte
- Το Απίθανο Ταξίδι Ενός Φακίρη
- L'extraordinaire voyage du Fakir, ფაკირის საგანგებო მოგზაურობა
- Fakiiri joka juuttui vaatekaappiin
- Fantastično popotovanje Fakirja, ki je obtičal v Ikeini omari
- Den utrolige historie om fakiren, der sad fast i et klædeskab
Seen The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir?
Movies Like The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including An Indian Tale, Journey Bombay to Goa and Fakira.
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir released?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir was released on June 21, 2019.
Who directed The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir was directed by Ken Scott.
More films by Ken Scott Who is in the cast of The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir stars Dhanush as Ajatashatru Lavash Patel, Erin Moriarty as Marie and Barkhad Abdi as Wiraj, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir make at the box office?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir grossed $3.3 million worldwide.
How is The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir rated?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Is The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir based on a book?
Yes. The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is adapted from The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe by Romain Puértolas and Sam Taylor.
Does The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir have a post-credit scene?
No. The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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
