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Biographical documentary

The Mother of All Lies (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Mother of All Lies (2024) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
worldwide gross
$103K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
77
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The Mother of All Lies (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Original language
Arabic
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • action violence
  • world cinema
  • older actor plays a younger role
  • asian cinema
  • uranium
  • shot in the head
  • blur
  • husband wife relationship
  • epic action
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Cast & crew

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 more
Ratings

The 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).

77 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Mother of All Lies Box Office

The Mother of All Lies grossed $103,033 worldwide.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$103K

International
$103K
Awards

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

Videos

The Mother of All Lies Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Mother of All Lies.

Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  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 does the Special Anti-Terrorism Squad (SATS) intercept in 2008?

Details

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?

FAQ

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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