The Unknown Saint (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Unknown Saint is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem, starring Yahya Chabane as Fountain thief, Younes Bouab and Anas El Baz. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $107,234 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 82/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Alaa Eddine Aljem
- Original language
-
Arabic
- Studio
- Le Moindre Geste
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Unknown Saint About?
The premise of The Unknown Saint without spoilers.
Following a stint behind bars, a thief returns to where he buried his loot, only to find that his hiding spot is now a shrine to an unknown saint.
The Unknown Saint Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- morocco
- desert
- western sahara
- buried loot
- loot buried in grave
- engine failure
- police arrest
- release from jail
- thief
- mausoleum
- boredom
- barber shop
+22 more Show fewer
- medical doctor
- night watch
- hidden money
- belief in miracles
- religious belief
- isolated place
- drought
- praying for rain
- rain
- dog hit by a car
- road construction
- dynamite
- wounded dog
- funeral
- gold tooth
- father's grave
- criminal
- shrine
- physical comedy
- cult
- hilltop
- woman uses a wheelchair
The Unknown Saint Cast & Characters
Yahya Chabane leads the cast as Fountain thief, with Younes Bouab as The thief and Anas El Baz as The doctor. Directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem; 23 actors are credited in all.
- Director Alaa Eddine Aljem
- Yahya Chabane as Fountain thief
-
Younes Bouab as The thief -
Anas El Baz as The doctor - Salah Bensalah as The brain
Also Starring in The Unknown Saint
· 19 more- Hassan Ben Badida The nurse
- Rachid El Adouani The pilgrim
- Ahmed Yarziz The barber
- Abdelghani Kitab The guard
- Mohamed El Moutamassik The receptionist
- Mohamed Naimane Brahim
- Bouchaib Essamak Hassan
- Abdelghani Benizza Brahim's neighbor
- Adam Morjani Aziz's son
- Idriss Rafi Barber shop client 1
- Mohamed Hijrane Barber shop client 2
- Abdelkarim Amine Barber shop client 3
- Zoubida El Idriisi Patient 1
- Jamila Amrani Patient 2
- Zahra Khalaoufi Patient 3
- Fatima Amzyane Patient 4
Show all 23 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Zakaria Bennis Gendarme 1
- Oualid Kabboubi Gendarme 3
- Mehdi Hassnaoui Gendarme 2
More from Alaa Eddine Aljem
One more film directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem: The Unknown Saint.
The Unknown Saint Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (70).
The Unknown Saint Echo Score Breakdown
The Unknown Saint delivers a consistently engaging blend of deadpan comedy and visual wit, anchored by a modest yet purposeful narrative. Critics highlight the film’s inventive satire of superstition, while audience comments emphasize its quirky ensemble and striking desert cinematography. Although pacing occasionally drags for some viewers, the overall experience remains fresh and thought‑provoking. Consequently, the film earns a high echo score reflecting its broad appeal despite minor flaws.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, the director employs a spare visual language that highlights the stark Moroccan desert. Critics note the minimalistic composition, pastel palette, and precise blocking, while viewers praise the evocative scenery and uncluttered framing. The editing remains unobtrusive, allowing humor to emerge from circumstance rather than rapid cuts, resulting in a polished aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 78
When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble exhibits a quirky chemistry that many reviewers find endearing. Performances convey deadpan humor without overt exaggeration, and supporting figures such as the barber and shrine guard receive particular praise. Some audience members note a lack of deep empathy for certain roles, yet the overall portrayal balances whimsy with subtle emotional stakes.
- Story & Flow 70
The story intertwines a modest heist premise with an absurdist fable about superstition, offering originality praised by critics. While the narrative’s deliberate pacing creates a contemplative rhythm, several viewers describe moments of sluggishness and repetitive sequences. Nonetheless, the plot maintains coherence through recurring thematic motifs and a gradual build toward a thematically resonant climax.
- Sensory Experience 85
Sensory experience is defined by a restrained soundscape and striking visual design. Reviewers commend the film’s sparse score, which avoids overwhelming the audience, and its coherent color scheme that accentuates the desert’s austere beauty. The combination of subtle ambient audio and carefully composed frames crafts an immersive atmosphere that supports the film’s deadpan humor.
- Rewatch Factor 80
Rewatch factor benefits from the film’s layered humor and nuanced observations that reveal new details on subsequent viewings. Critics and many audience members highlight the enduring appeal of supporting characters and the subtle thematic commentary, which encourage repeat engagement. Although the pacing may deter some viewers initially, the film’s understated charm sustains interest upon revisiting.
The Unknown Saint Box Office
The Unknown Saint grossed $107,234 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$107.2K
- International
- $107.2K
The Unknown Saint Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Unknown Saint.
The Unknown Saint Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Le Miracle du Saint Inconnu” and “Meçhul Aziz”.
- Also known as
-
- Le Miracle du Saint Inconnu
- Meçhul Aziz
- 더 언노운 세인트
- Неизвестный святой
- 이름 없는 성자
- O Santo Desconhecido
- Cud nieznanego świętego
- Чудото на неизвестния светец
- 无名圣人
- Το Θαύμα του Άγνωστου Αγίου
- Sfântul necunoscut
- Az ismeretlen szent
+5 more Show fewer
- Zázrak neznámého světce
- Čudo nepoznatog sveca
- Neznani svetnik
- 無名聖人
- Nežinomas šventasis
Seen The Unknown Saint?
Movies Like The Unknown Saint
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Unknown Saint, The Unknown Policeman and The Saint’s Return.
-
The Unknown Saint 2021 -
The Unknown Policeman 1941 -
The Saint’s Return 1953 -
Sacrilège 2017 -
The Garden of Allah 1936 -
A Tree Without Roots 2001 -
The Treasure of San Gennaro 1966 -
The Ghost Valley’s Treasure Mysteries 1974 -
Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys 2001 -
Holy Tongue 2000 -
The Pariah 1972 -
Our Man in Marrakesh 1966
The Unknown Saint FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Unknown Saint, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Unknown Saint?
The Unknown Saint runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was The Unknown Saint released?
The Unknown Saint was released on May 15, 2019.
Who directed The Unknown Saint?
The Unknown Saint was directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem.
More films by Alaa Eddine Aljem Who is in the cast of The Unknown Saint?
The Unknown Saint stars Yahya Chabane as Fountain thief, Younes Bouab as The thief and Anas El Baz as The doctor, among 23 credited actors.
How much did The Unknown Saint make at the box office?
The Unknown Saint grossed $107,234 worldwide.
Does The Unknown Saint have a post-credit scene?
No. The Unknown Saint has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Unknown Saint in?
The original language of The Unknown Saint is Arabic.
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
