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Historical documentary

Unknown: The Lost Pyramid (2023): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Unknown: The Lost Pyramid (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
68
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Unknown: The Lost Pyramid (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Max Salomon
Genres
History , Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Unknown: The Lost Pyramid

· 5 more
Ratings

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).

68 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Videos

Unknown: The Lost Pyramid Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid.

Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  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 was Dr. Zahi Hawass primarily searching for in this documentary?

Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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.

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