Incendies
Performance & Direction: Incendies Review
Last updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Incendies (2010) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 8.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Incendies features a noteworthy lineup led by Lubna Azabal . Supported by the likes of Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin and Maxim Gaudette , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Incendies
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2010, Incendies is a Drama, War, Mystery film directed by Denis Villeneuve. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Lubna Azabal.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love. The screenplay takes time to develop Lubna Azabal's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Lubna Azabal, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances, especially from Lubna Azabal, that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: Incendies
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Incendies brings together its narrative threads in a way that feels both earned and emotionally resonant. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Lubna Azabal, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, leaving audiences satisfied.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Incendies demonstrate careful narrative planning, resulting in a conclusion that enhances the overall experience.
Incendies Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Incendies uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, war, mystery film directed by Denis Villeneuve, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Lubna Azabal's character.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Incendies successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Incendies?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Incendies
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.8M |
| Worldwide Gross | $6.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Incendies Budget
The estimated production budget for Incendies is $6.8M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Incendies
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Incendies Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeIncendies Parents Guide & Age Rating
2010 AdvisoryWondering about Incendies age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Incendies is 131 minutes (2h 11m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 8.1/10, and global performance metrics, Incendies is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2010 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Incendies worth watching?
Incendies is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 8.1/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Incendies parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Incendies identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Incendies?
The total duration of Incendies is 131 minutes, which is approximately 2h 11m long.
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Critic Reviews for Incendies
Great movie for a great and tough story. Good photography and cut, the story is well developed and the performances are superb. Also, it doesn't fail on being over dramatic. Just the perfect balance. A must to be seen.
_Incendies_ crawls under your skin and stays there. Villeneuve sets the mood with silence, shadow, and slow-burn tension, building a mystery with the weight of a Greek tragedy. Some parts drag, but they add gravity to the gut-punch revelations. It’s emotionally manipulative in the best way—bleak, bold, and beautifully done.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
