The Criminal Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Criminal
| Movie | The Criminal |
| Release Year | 1954 |
| Director | Kamal Atteya |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 100 minutes (1h 40m) |
| Language | AR |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Criminal (1954) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. 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 & Character Study
The performances in The Criminal are led by Shoukry Sarhan . The supporting cast, including Mahmoud El Meligy and Samira Ahmed , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Criminal stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Criminal has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Criminal
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1954, The Criminal is a Drama film directed by Kamal Atteya, written by Gamal Hamdy. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Shoukry Sarhan as مراد.
Ending Explained: The Criminal
The Criminal Ending Explained: A criminal kidnaps a girl from her wealthy family and demands a ransom. Directed by Kamal Atteya, this 1954 drama film stars Shoukry Sarhan (مراد), alongside Mahmoud El Meligy as أدهم, Samira Ahmed as سعاد, Zouzou Mady as إلهام. Rated 7/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Criminal?
A criminal kidnaps a girl from her wealthy family and demands a ransom. When the family refuses to pay, he entrusts the daughter to a poor family to raise her and their only son. One day, a wealthy woman sees a striking resemblance to her lost son in the poor family's son and decides to raise him. When he grows up, he meets the girl who was raised with him when he was young.
Kamal Atteya's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Shoukry Sarhan (مراد)'s journey. When the family refuses to pay, he entrusts the daughter to a poor family to raise her and their only son.
How Does Shoukry Sarhan (مراد)'s Story End?
- Shoukry Sarhan: Shoukry Sarhan's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Kamal Atteya delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 40m runtime.
- Mahmoud El Meligy (أدهم): Mahmoud El Meligy's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Samira Ahmed (سعاد): Samira Ahmed's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Criminal Mean?
The ending of The Criminal ties together the narrative threads involving Shoukry Sarhan. Kamal Atteya chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Criminal Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Criminal Based on a True Story?
No, The Criminal is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by Kamal Atteya and starring Shoukry Sarhan may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Criminal?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Shoukry Sarhan or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
The Criminal Parents Guide & Age Rating
1954 AdvisoryWondering about The Criminal age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Criminal (1954) is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Directed by Kamal Atteya, the film runs for 100 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Criminal is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1954 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Criminal worth watching?
The Criminal is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Criminal parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Criminal identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Criminal (1954)?
The runtime of The Criminal (1954) is 100 minutes (approximately 1h 40m).
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.
