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Drama

The Man Who Sold His Skin (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Man Who Sold His Skin (2021) movie poster

The Man Who Sold His Skin is a 2021 drama directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, starring Yahya Mahayni as Sam Ali, Monica Bellucci and Koen De Bouw. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $227,290 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$227.3K
award nomination
1
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The Man Who Sold His Skin (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Arabic
Budget
$2.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Man Who Sold His Skin About?

The premise of The Man Who Sold His Skin without spoilers.

Driven by a longing for freedom and love, Syrian refugee Sam Ali finds himself in Lebanon, seeking a way to a better life. He makes a risky decision, agreeing to become the subject of a provocative tattoo by a renowned artist. The intricate design, intended to serve as a passport to Europe, represents a desperate gamble for a new identity and a chance at a future. As the tattoo progresses, Sam grapples with the consequences of his choice and questions whether his sacrifice has truly granted him the liberation he sought.

The Man Who Sold His Skin Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • artist
  • tattoo
  • syrian refugee
  • forbidden love
  • escape
  • brussels belgium
  • bare chested male
  • hairy chest
  • pimple
  • reference to pygmalion
  • art museum
  • art exhibit
+24 more
  • syria
  • visa
  • popping a pimple
  • skype
  • crying woman
  • cell phone
  • jealousy
  • hotel room
  • refugee
  • lebanon
  • border crossing
  • fireworks
  • jail
  • train
  • faustian bargain
  • passport
  • regret
  • amputee
  • male underwear
  • boxer briefs
  • peacock
  • surprise ending
  • body part in title
  • six word title
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Cast & crew

The Man Who Sold His Skin Cast & Characters

Yahya Mahayni leads the cast as Sam Ali, with Monica Bellucci as Soraya Waldy and Koen De Bouw as Jeffrey Godefroi. Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Man Who Sold His Skin

· 6 more
From the director

More from Kaouther Ben Hania

More films directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, best-rated first: Four Daughters, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Beauty and the Dogs and I And the Stupid Boy.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Man Who Sold His Skin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Man Who Sold His Skin 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

78 /100

The Man Who Sold His Skin Echo Score Breakdown

The Man Who Sold His Skin excels as a provocative exploration of commodified bodies and geopolitical dilemmas. The film’s strong visual design and controlled pacing draw viewers into Sam’s challenging journey, while the central performance imbues emotional depth. However, its final messaging can feel overly didactic and its narrative focus occasionally drifts. Overall, the movie strikes a compelling balance between intellectual stimulation and artistic ambition.

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 art and craft, the film demonstrates meticulous visual composition and refined production design. Critics and viewers note the polished camera work and striking set pieces that underscore the thematic contrasts. While some feel the abundance of visual motifs can become overwhelming, the overall aesthetic remains cohesive and artful.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performance delivers a nuanced portrayal of vulnerability and resilience. Observers praise the actor’s layered expression of Sam’s internal conflicts and the believable chemistry that grounds key relationships. Despite occasional critiques of uneven supporting roles, the film maintains emotional resonance through its focused depiction of personal dignity and struggle.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a thought-provoking premise that engages with themes of autonomy and exploitation. Supporters highlight its compelling ethical dilemmas and measured pacing, while detractors cite occasional narrative drift and a lack of deeper plot resolution. Despite these fluctuations, the storyline sustains interest by balancing social commentary with character-driven moments.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When evaluating sensory experience, the film’s visual style and sound design combine to create a cohesive atmosphere. Many note the vivid cinematography and subtle audio cues that heighten tension in gallery settings. Though some find the soundtrack understated, the integration of visual motifs and ambient sound successfully reinforces the film’s thematic contrasts and immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers enduring ideas that reward repeat viewings. Viewers may uncover new layers in the satirical commentary and nuanced performances upon revisiting key scenes. However, the deliberate pacing and tightly focused narrative may limit its appeal for casual reexaminations, positioning it as a thoughtful rather than purely entertaining repeat experience.

Box office

The Man Who Sold His Skin Box Office & Budget

The Man Who Sold His Skin grossed $227,290 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget, 10% of what it cost.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$227.3K

10% of its budget back

International
$227.3K
Budget
$2.2M
Awards

The Man Who Sold His Skin Awards & Nominations

The Man Who Sold His Skin was nominated for 1 Oscar.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Man Who Sold His Skin Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Man Who Sold His Skin.

The Man Who Sold His Skin - Trailer - Academy Award® Nominee for Best International Feature Film
Details

The Man Who Sold His Skin Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “L'homme qui avait vendu sa peau” and “Ar-rajul allaḏī bāʿa ẓahrihu”.

Also known as
  • L'homme qui avait vendu sa peau
  • Ar-rajul allaḏī bāʿa ẓahrihu
  • 販膚俗子
  • L'Homme qui a vendu sa peau
  • Людина, яка продала свою шкіру
  • Человек, который продал свою кожу
  • L’uomo che vendette la sua pelle
  • O Homem que Vendeu Sua Pele
  • 피부를 판 남자
  • Derisini Satan Adam
  • 贩肤走卒
  • 販膚走卒
+9 more
  • El hombre que vendió su piel
  • Ο Άνθρωπος που Πούλησε το Δέρμα του
  • O Homem que vendeu a sua Pele
  • Der Mann, der seine Haut verkaufte
  • Człowiek, który sprzedał swoją skórę
  • 皮膚を売った男
  • L’home que es va vendre la pell
  • Mož, ki je prodal svojo kožo
  • Muž, který prodal svou kůži

Seen The Man Who Sold His Skin?

FAQ

The Man Who Sold His Skin FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Man Who Sold His Skin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Man Who Sold His Skin?

The Man Who Sold His Skin runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Man Who Sold His Skin released?

The Man Who Sold His Skin was released on April 2, 2021.

Who directed The Man Who Sold His Skin?

The Man Who Sold His Skin was directed by Kaouther Ben Hania.

More films by Kaouther Ben Hania

Who is in the cast of The Man Who Sold His Skin?

The Man Who Sold His Skin stars Yahya Mahayni as Sam Ali, Monica Bellucci as Soraya Waldy and Koen De Bouw as Jeffrey Godefroi, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Man Who Sold His Skin make at the box office?

The Man Who Sold His Skin grossed $227,290 worldwide on a budget of $2.2 million.

How is The Man Who Sold His Skin rated?

The Man Who Sold His Skin has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Was The Man Who Sold His Skin nominated for any awards?

The Man Who Sold His Skin received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Man Who Sold His Skin have a post-credit scene?

No. The Man Who Sold His Skin has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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