THE MAURITANIAN
An engrossing injustice drama for discerning adults, but painfully explicit.
Should You Watch It?
THE MAURITANIAN tells a compelling story about injustice. Its emotional force comes from Mohamedou Slahi’s long imprisonment and his lawyer’s determination to uncover the truth behind his alleged forced confession. The performances are strong, and the film makes a convincing case that Slahi had left al-Qaeda and had no connection to the September 11 attacks or other terrorist attacks before that.
The film is not easy viewing. It includes intense physical and psychological abuse, sexual abuse, waterboarding, and an implied rape scene. Its 41 obscenities, including more than half “f” words, are also excessive. The pace is slow and drawn out, and the movie omits minor points that cast some doubt on whether Slahi was totally innocent.
If you are an adult who can handle these disturbing elements, the film offers serious moral questions about justice and truth. For family viewing, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn November 2001, Mohamedou Slahi is questioned by government officials and the FBI about al-Qaeda and the September 11 attack on America. He is then unexpectedly sent to prisons in Jordan and Guantanamo Bay.
Eventually, an American lawyer takes an interest in his case. As she investigates, Slahi’s claims about abuse and a forced confession become central to a difficult legal and moral battle.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a solid, worthwhile drama with meaningful flaws. THE MAURITANIAN is engrossing, emotional, and well acted. Its story of injustice carries weight, and the film presents a convincing argument concerning Slahi’s separation from al-Qaeda and lack of connection to the September 11 attacks.
The main weakness is its slow, drawn-out pace. The movie also neglects minor points that cast slight doubt on whether its central figure was totally innocent.
The Worldview
THE MAURITANIAN strongly affirms justice, truth, and American ideals of justice. It presents an Islamic terror suspect who seems innocent and kind, and it shows him praying while held in prison for an unjustly long time. The film also portrays a prosecutor changing his mind and making a right decision after attending a Christian baptism service.
The movie’s central moral concern aligns with a biblical call to seek justice and truth. It also recognizes that government power can become unjust when it treats a suspect cruelly and goes too far. At the same time, the film may present revisionist history by leaving out minor points that cast doubt on whether Slahi was truly totally innocent. It also shows a man withholding important information from his defense attorney.
The film’s longing for justice is one Scripture shares: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral worldview about seeking justice and finding truth, American ideals of justice are strongly affirmed, the prosecutor of a case is moved to change his mind and make a right decision when he attends a Christian baptism service, and an Islamic terror suspect who seems innocent and kind is shown praying two or more times while being held in prison for an unjustly long time, but there’s some apparent or possible revisionist history that leaves out minor points that cast doubt on whether the title character is truly totally innocent
Foul Language
41 obscenities (more than half are “f” words) and one GD profanity
Violence
Some intense scenes of beating (prisoner is physically hit and kicked), water boarding, sexual abuse, noise abuse, sleep deprivation, being forced to stand in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, etc.
Sex
Woman in a cat mask is shown sexually taunting/humiliating a disoriented prisoner and straddling him in an implied rape scene
Nudity
Some shirtless boys play soccer in a flashback, and woman appears in a bra while taunting and straddling a disoriented prisoner
Alcohol Use
Some brief alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Some smoking, and man uses chewing tobacco, but no drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Interrogators allegedly threaten to arrest prisoner’s mother and subject her to rape in prison, man’s allegedly subjected to other threats, man caught leaving out some important information to his defense attorney, government stalls both the prosecutor and the defense lawyer in a case, and the government’s treatment of a suspect sometimes seems to be unjust and goes too far.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film raises hard questions about justice and government power. What should authorities do when seeking truth, and what must they never do to a prisoner?
Micah 6:8 · Proverbs 31:8–9A prosecutor changes his mind and makes what the film presents as a right decision. When have you needed humility to reconsider a judgment?
Proverbs 18:13 · James 1:19The movie shows a man leaving out important information from his defense attorney. Why does truth matter even when the truth may bring painful consequences?
Ephesians 4:25 · John 8:32The film includes a Christian baptism service. What does baptism signify about a person’s new life and allegiance?
Romans 6:3–4 · Galatians 3:27The Final Word
THE MAURITANIAN is engrossing, emotional, and well acted, with a serious concern for justice and truth. But its slow pace, overwhelming profanity, and intense abuse make it unsuitable for family viewing. For discerning adults prepared for those elements, our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other viewers, consider.
