Unknown: The Lost Pyramid (2023): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid is a 2023 historical documentary directed by Max Salomon, starring Zahi Hawass, Mostafa Waziri and Mohamed Youssef. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Max Salomon
- Genres
- History , Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Unknown: The Lost Pyramid About?
The premise of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the Saqqara desert, renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass pursues the legend of a lost pyramid hidden beneath the sands. Simultaneously, his protégé and rival, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, searches for an undisturbed tomb within an ancient necropolis. The two Egyptology experts find themselves competing for discovery in a thrilling quest to unearth history’s secrets.
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Themes & Keywords
· 32 tags- pyramid
- egyptian
- archaeology
- archeological dig
- mummy
- papyrus
- egyptian book of the dead
- tomb
- sarcophagus
- egyptian tomb
- human skeleton
- reference to tutankhamun
+20 more Show fewer
- egyptologist
- saqqara
- step pyramid
- desert
- sand
- old kingdom of egypt
- lowered on a rope
- falcon
- statuette
- gold leaf
- lost tomb
- mentor mentee relationship
- sand storm
- grave goods
- reference to howard carter
- scroll
- egyptian man
- statue
- cigar smoking
- news conference
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Cast
Zahi Hawass leads the cast, with Mostafa Waziri and Mohamed Youssef. Directed by Max Salomon; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Max Salomon
- Zahi Hawass as themselves
- Mostafa Waziri as themselves
- Mohamed Youssef as themselves
- Tori Finlayson as themselves
Also Starring in Unknown: The Lost Pyramid
· 5 more- Afaf Wahba Themselves
- Ammar El-Amir Sadeq Themselves
- Ashraf Mohi El Din Themselves
- Essam Shehab Themselves
- Hamada Shehata Ahmed Mansour Themselves
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Unknown: The Lost Pyramid 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in character & emotion (60).
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Unknown: The Lost Pyramid delivers an engaging look at contemporary Egyptian archaeology, buoyed by enthusiastic participants and striking on‑location visuals. While critics praise its informative energy and accessibility, viewer feedback is split, with some questioning the documentary’s focus on a controversial figure and its premature release. The film succeeds in generating excitement about the discoveries, yet its narrative consistency and depth suffer from self‑promotional elements. Consequently, the documentary offers a solid,! if uneven, viewing experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of cinematography and overall visual craftsmanship, the documentary excels with immersive camera work that places viewers within tomb chambers, as praised by several viewers. Production design highlights the excavation sites authentically, while editing maintains a steady rhythm without noticeable lapses. Though some critics do not comment directly on artistic choices, the visual execution contributes positively to the film’s impact.
- Character & Emotion 60
When evaluating the participants’ presence and emotional resonance, the film benefits from the archaeologists’ palpable enthusiasm, which drives much of the documentary’s appeal. However, several viewers criticize the central figure’s self‑aggrandizing tone, describing it as repetitive and detracting from deeper character insight. This split perception results in a moderate assessment of the documentary’s character development and emotional depth.
- Story & Flow 65
The narrative centers on the race to locate the elusive pyramid of Pharaoh Huni, delivering a premise that many find compelling and educational. Critics highlight its ability to transform a potentially dry subject into engaging moments, while some users note the storyline feels unfinished and overly focused on personal bragging. Consequently, the story’s coherence and pacing earn a balanced rating.
- Sensory Experience 70
The documentary’s auditory and visual palette is anchored by clear sound design that captures ambient excavation noises and interviews, creating an immersive atmosphere. While the soundtrack receives limited mention, the on‑site footage showcases vivid colors and texture, reinforcing the sense of place. Overall, the sensory elements support the film’s informational goals without overwhelming the viewer.
- Rewatch Factor 68
Given its blend of discovery excitement and informative content, the film invites repeat viewings for audiences interested in archaeology and history. Positive feedback notes the thrill of following real‑time excavations, while critiques of self‑promotion and incomplete coverage may diminish long‑term appeal for some viewers. Overall, the documentary offers enough intrigue to merit a second watch, though its replay value is modest.
-
IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
3382 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.9 /5
See on Movie Insider
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Plot Summary
What happens in Unknown: The Lost Pyramid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Zahi Hawass is on a mission to uncover a significant archaeological find that he believes will solidify his legacy — the pyramid of Huni, the last Pharaoh of Egypt’s Third Dynasty. This ancient king is a pivotal figure from the Old Kingdom, yet very little is known about him, making the discovery of his burial site essential for understanding Egypt’s historical narrative. Huni ruled approximately 4500 years ago, and aside from his name appearing on a few King’s lists, the location of his pyramid remains a mystery, unlike other pharaohs from the same period who built their tombs at Saqqara.
Full summary
The whole story of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid, scene by scene
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid.
How Well Do You Know Unknown: The Lost Pyramid?
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 was Dr. Zahi Hawass primarily searching for in this documentary?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Det ukjente: Den forsvunne pyramiden” and “언노운: 사라진 피라미드”.
- Also known as
-
- Det ukjente: Den forsvunne pyramiden
- 언노운: 사라진 피라미드
- Nieznane oblicze planety: Zaginiona piramida
- Unbekannt: Die vergessene Pyramide
- Nepoznané: Ztracená pyramida
- Az ismeretlen: Az elveszett piramis
- เปิดโลกลับ: พีระมิดที่สาบสูญ
- Lo desconocido: La pirámide perdida
- Dans l’inconnu : La Pyramide Perdue
- Explorando o Desconhecido: A Pirâmide Perdida
- 地球未知档案:失落的金字塔
- Bilinmeyenler: Kayıp Piramit
+7 more Show fewer
- אל הלא נודע: הפירמידה האבודה
- Ẩn Số Trái Đất: Kim Tự Tháp Thất Lạc
- 地球未知檔案:失落的金字塔
- Непізнане: Втрачена піраміда
- Unknown: La piramide perduta
- Unknown: Η Χαμένη Πυραμίδα
- Necunoscut: Piramida pierdută
Seen Unknown: The Lost Pyramid?
Movies Like Unknown: The Lost Pyramid
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Lost Tombs of the Pyramids, Lost Treasures of Egypt and Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb.
-
Lost Tombs of the Pyramids 2020 -
Lost Treasures of Egypt 2019 -
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb 2020 -
Valley of the Kings: The Lost Tombs 2021 -
Egypt: Quest for Eternity 1982 -
Legend of the Lost Tomb 1997 -
David Macaulay: Pyramid 1989 -
Pyramid 2002 -
Nefertiti and the Lost Dynasty 2007 -
Land of the Pharaohs 1955 -
Decoding the Great Pyramid 2019 -
Aliens In Egypt 2017
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Unknown: The Lost Pyramid?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Unknown: The Lost Pyramid released?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid was released on July 3, 2023.
Who directed Unknown: The Lost Pyramid?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid was directed by Max Salomon.
Who is in the cast of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid stars Zahi Hawass, Mostafa Waziri and Mohamed Youssef, among 9 credited actors.
How is Unknown: The Lost Pyramid rated?
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Unknown: The Lost Pyramid have a post-credit scene?
No. Unknown: The Lost Pyramid has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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
