The Mother of All Lies (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Mother of All Lies is a 2024 biographical documentary starring Asmae ElMoudir as Asmae, Mohamed El Moudir and Zahra Jeddaoui. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $103,033 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary Feature at the Spirit Awards 2024. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Genres
- Documentary , Biography , Drama , History
- Original language
-
Arabic
- Studio
- Insight Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Mother of All Lies About?
The premise of The Mother of All Lies without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Driven by a childhood photograph, filmmaker Asmae El Moudir investigates her family’s past and the secrets surrounding her identity. The documentary follows her journey to Casablanca, where she painstakingly recreates her former neighborhood and confronts her mother with difficult questions about their family history and sense of belonging.
The Mother of All Lies Themes & Keywords
· 21 tags- asian action
- father son relationship
- action hero
- train
- one person army action
- bike chase
- revenge
- metro train
- indian cinema
- drinking
- stadium
- father daughter relationship
+9 more Show fewer
- action violence
- world cinema
- older actor plays a younger role
- asian cinema
- uranium
- shot in the head
- blur
- husband wife relationship
- epic action
The Mother of All Lies Cast & Characters
Asmae ElMoudir leads the cast as Asmae, with Mohamed El Moudir and Zahra Jeddaoui.
Also Starring in The Mother of All Lies
· 2 moreThe Mother of All Lies Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Mother of All Lies 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).
The Mother of All Lies Echo Score Breakdown
The film presents a bold experimental documentary that merges reenactment with archival material, yielding a visually arresting and emotionally resonant portrait of family trauma. While its artistic ambition and striking cinematography receive consistent praise, some viewers find the narrative pacing uneven and the investigative focus fuzzy. Character moments are intimate yet occasionally lack narrative drive, resulting in a work that rewards patient, attentive audiences more than casual viewers.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of direction and visual craft, the documentary employs a striking color palette and inventive reenactments that elevate its thematic concerns. Critics note the polished cinematography and meticulous production design, while some viewers feel the formal experimentation occasionally overshadows clarity. Overall, the artistic execution is regarded as a compelling strength of the film.
- Character & Emotion 80
When examining character depth and emotional resonance, the film delivers intimate portrayals that convey generational anguish and personal trauma. Performances from family participants feel nuanced, fostering a sense of authenticity. However, a few observers mention occasional emotional distance due to the fragmented narrative structure. The net impression is that character work remains a notable asset despite minor inconsistencies.
- Story & Flow 68
The narrative structure intertwines historical reconstruction with personal testimony, creating an unconventional yet purposeful storytelling approach. Critics appreciate the originality and the way the film interrogates memory, while some audiences find the pacing uneven and the investigative focus too diffuse. Consequently, the story is seen as inventive but occasionally hindered by a lack of cohesive momentum.
- Sensory Experience 85
The sensory experience combines a haunting soundtrack with layered sound design, reinforcing the film's emotional tenor. Visuals shift between stark documentary footage and stylized reenactments, producing a cohesive aesthetic that many reviewers describe as beautiful and immersive. Though a minority note occasional tonal dissonance, the overall sensory composition is regarded as a strong element.
- Rewatch Factor 75
The film's thematic depth and artistic boldness encourage repeat viewings, as new details emerge with each screening. Its combination of personal testimony and inventive visual techniques offers lasting appeal for viewers attuned to experimental documentary forms. While some may find the pacing challenging, the overall impact remains compelling enough to merit revisiting.
-
IMDb 5.7 /10
26236 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 8.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
The Mother of All Lies Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Mother of All Lies from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the year 2008, a fierce confrontation unfolds in Kenya as the Special Anti-Terrorism Squad (SATS) faces a major threat. The team, comprised of notable members such as M. S. Gandhi (portrayed by Vijay), Sunil Thiagarajan (played by Prashanth), Kalyan Sundaram (brought to life by Prabhu Deva), and Ajay Govindharaj (a role by Ajmal Ameer), successfully intercepts the notorious terrorist Omar (played by Omar Lateef) to retrieve a dangerous cache of uranium. Their mission hits a turning point when they discover that former chief Rajiv Menon (played by Mohan), who has been on the run after being accused of treason, is aboard the same train as them. Recognizing a duo opportunity, Gandhi determines to apprehend Menon while also securing the uranium for his team.
Full summary
The whole story of The Mother of All Lies, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Mother of All Lies Box Office
The Mother of All Lies grossed $103,033 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$103K
- International
- $103K
The Mother of All Lies Awards & Nominations
The Mother of All Lies earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary Feature at the Spirit Awards 2024.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Documentary Feature
The Mother of All Lies Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Mother of All Lies.
How Well Do You Know The Mother of All Lies?
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 the Special Anti-Terrorism Squad (SATS) intercept in 2008?
The Mother of All Lies Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “KADIB ABYAD” and “所有謊言的起源”.
- Also known as
-
- KADIB ABYAD
- 所有謊言的起源
- Matka všech lží
- 그 모든 거짓말의 어머니
- 所有谎言之母
- La mère de tous les mensonges
- 謊言之母
- La mare de totes les mentides
- Yalanların Anası
Seen The Mother of All Lies?
Movies Like The Mother of All Lies
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mother, Lies My Mother Told Me and Mommy.
The Mother of All Lies FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of The Mother of All Lies, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Mother of All Lies?
The Mother of All Lies runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Mother of All Lies released?
The Mother of All Lies was released on September 6, 2024.
Who is in the cast of The Mother of All Lies?
The Mother of All Lies stars Asmae ElMoudir as Asmae, Mohamed El Moudir and Zahra Jeddaoui, among 6 credited actors.
How much did The Mother of All Lies make at the box office?
The Mother of All Lies grossed $103,033 worldwide.
How is The Mother of All Lies rated?
The Mother of All Lies has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 76 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Was The Mother of All Lies nominated for any awards?
The Mother of All Lies received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Mother of All Lies have a post-credit scene?
No. The Mother of All Lies has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Mother of All Lies in?
The original language of The Mother of All Lies is Arabic.
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