The Most Unknown (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Most Unknown is a 2018 documentary directed by Ian Cheney, starring Jennifer L. Macalady and Rachel L Smith. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $12,119 worldwide. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Director
- Ian Cheney
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Abramorama
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Most Unknown About?
The premise of The Most Unknown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Nine scientists explore profound mysteries in this documentary. Their quest spans subjects from the beginnings of life to the complexities of time and consciousness, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. Through collaboration and exploration, they forge connections across various disciplines, revealing the transformative power of shared discovery and the captivating nature of the unknown.
The Most Unknown Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- science
- scientist
- microbiologist
- physicist
- dark matter
- scientific experiment
- psychologist
- cognitive psychology
- astrobiologist
- microbial ecologist
- astrophysicist
- biologist
+38 more Show fewer
- marine biologist
- mini submarine
- ecologist
- general relativity
- neuroscientist
- interdisciplinary
- spelunking
- cave
- cafeteria
- hypothesis
- dialogue
- slime
- brain
- consciousness
- robotic hand
- progress
- hot spring
- dna extraction
- eukarya
- archaea
- white board
- observatory
- lava
- research submarine
- plankton
- methane
- greenhouse gas
- microscope
- telescope
- quantum physics
- deep sea research facility
- ping pong table
- laser
- atomic clock
- chronometer
- pub
- monkey
- tropical island
The Most Unknown Cast
Jennifer L. Macalady leads the cast, with Rachel L Smith. Directed by Ian Cheney.
-
Director Ian Cheney
- Jennifer L. Macalady as themselves
- Rachel L Smith
More from Ian Cheney
More films directed by Ian Cheney, best-rated first: The Search for General Tso and Picture a Scientist.
The Most Unknown Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Most Unknown 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).
The Most Unknown Echo Score Breakdown
This documentary excels in visual presentation but occasionally falters in thematic depth. Its photogenic scenes and global scientific settings create an engaging exploration of discovery, yet the rapid shifts between nine distinct fields limit deeper examination of any single topic. The interactions among charismatic researchers offer moments of genuine insight and inspiration, though the focus on surface-level coverage leaves some concepts underdeveloped. Overall, The Most Unknown delivers an intriguing showcase of scientific curiosity with strong visual appeal, despite its tendency toward breadth over depth.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film achieves striking cinematography and polished production design. Reviews highlight its gorgeous photography of natural phenomena and thoughtfully composed frames, capturing hot springs, deep space, and ocean environments with clarity. However, the editing’s brisk transitions and episodic structure sometimes disrupt narrative cohesion, leaving sequences feeling more illustrative than integrative. On balance, its visual craftsmanship stands out, even if its assembly can feel uneven at times.
- Character & Emotion 70
In terms of character and emotion, the documentary introduces engaging and personable scientists, whose enthusiasm and rapport lend warmth to the proceedings. Observers note the participants’ charisma and eye-opening interactions, humanizing complex disciplines. However, limited screen time constrains deeper exploration of individual backgrounds or motivations, resulting in mostly surface-level portrayals. Overall, its character work is amiable and inviting, yet it stops short of delivering fully nuanced or in-depth profiles of its subjects.
- Story & Flow 55
When it comes to story and flow, the film’s structure offers a global traversal of nine scientific fields, generating an exploratory rhythm. The celebration of discovery and seamless segue into new topics encourages curiosity. Critics, however, point out that the rapid shifts render each segment only a sketch, and occasional meandering dialogue hampers narrative momentum. Ultimately, the film’s pacing fosters intrigue but sacrifices substantive coherence in favor of breadth.
- Sensory Experience 80
For sensory experience, the documentary presents an immersive audiovisual palette, with vivid imagery of natural and cosmic environments complemented by a restrained soundtrack. Viewers appreciate the visual cohesion and evocative sound design that underscore each scientific vignette. There is little found to detract from its sensory immersion, though the musical accompaniment remains serviceable rather than distinctive. Overall, its sensory presentation is compelling, effectively transporting audiences into its varied settings.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s visual appeal and diverse scientific vignettes offer enough stimuli to invite repeat viewings for aesthetics alone. Its inspirational tone and breadth of topics may appeal to viewers seeking an overview of scientific curiosity. However, the lack of in-depth analysis could diminish the value of subsequent watches for those desiring deeper insight. In sum, it retains moderate replay value, particularly for its striking imagery and thematic optimism.
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IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 82% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Most Unknown Plot Summary
What happens in The Most Unknown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The Most Unknown is a compelling documentary that embarks on an exhilarating journey with nine brilliant scientists as they travel to remarkable locations around the globe to seek answers to some of humanity’s most profound questions. Their inquiries delve into the origins of life, the concept of time, the nature of consciousness, and the extent of our knowledge about the universe. Key figures in this quest include Jennifer L. Macalady, a microbiologist from Penn State University, and Rachel L. Smith, an astrophysicist at the North California Museum of Natural Sciences, alongside a diverse array of experts such as physicists, cognitive psychologists, and ecologists.
Full summary
The whole story of The Most Unknown, scene by scene
The Most Unknown Box Office
The Most Unknown grossed $12,119 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$12.1K
- US & Canada
- $12.1K
The Most Unknown Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Most Unknown.
How Well Do You Know The Most Unknown?
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
Who is the lead scientist featured in the Frasassi Caves?
The Most Unknown Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “As Maiores Incógnitas” and “Το Μεγάλο Άγνωστο”.
- Also known as
-
- As Maiores Incógnitas
- Το Μεγάλο Άγνωστο
- לגעת בלא נודע
- 과학
- 지식 릴레이
- 探索未知的边界
- Bilinmeyenlerin Peşinde
- Întrebări fără răspuns
- Lo más desconocido
- Niewyjaśnione tajemnice nauki
- 未知の科学
- Самое неизведанное
+2 more Show fewer
- ท้าพิสูจน์สสารสุดเร้นลับ
- 探索未知的邊界
Seen The Most Unknown?
Movies Like The Most Unknown
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Unknown Powers, Superhuman: The Invisible Made Visible and Unknown World.
-
Unknown Powers 1978 -
Superhuman: The Invisible Made Visible 2020 -
Unknown World 1951 -
The Unknown 2000 -
Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine 2023 -
Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle 1978 -
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid 2023 -
Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness 2021 -
Secrets of the Octopus 2024 -
Unknown: Cave of Bones 2023 -
Aliens of the Deep 2005 -
The Amazing World of Psychic Phenomena 1976
The Most Unknown FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Most Unknown, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Most Unknown?
The Most Unknown runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was The Most Unknown released?
The Most Unknown was released on May 18, 2018.
Who directed The Most Unknown?
The Most Unknown was directed by Ian Cheney.
More films by Ian Cheney Who is in the cast of The Most Unknown?
The Most Unknown stars Jennifer L. Macalady and Rachel L Smith.
How much did The Most Unknown make at the box office?
The Most Unknown grossed $12,119 worldwide.
How is The Most Unknown rated?
The Most Unknown has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Does The Most Unknown have a post-credit scene?
No. The Most Unknown has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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