The Arab (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Haroun is an old bachelor who has lived in Oran for several years. A retired civil servant, he leads a reclusive life until the day he meets Kamel in a bar—a journalist to whom he tells an incredible story dating back to 1942. He claims to…

The Arab (2026) is presented here through its confirmed story and production details. Haroun is an old bachelor who has lived in Oran for several years. A retired civil servant, he leads a reclusive life until the day he meets Kamel in a bar—a journalist to whom he tells an incredible story dating back to 1942. He claims to be the brother of ‘the Arab’ killed in a story told in one of the most famous novels of the 20th century, ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus. An Arab with an erased name: Moussa. Through anger, assertions, details, and confidences, Haroun finally convinces the journalist to listen to his story. His confession is a cry of freedom and distress—but above all, a cry of revolt: against an abusive mother, against a country that failed to achieve true independence, against a book, and against a famous French writer.

The Arab movie details

Story without spoilers

Haroun is an old bachelor who has lived in Oran for several years. A retired civil servant, he leads a reclusive life until the day he meets Kamel in a bar—a journalist to whom he tells an incredible story dating back to 1942. He claims to be the brother of ‘the Arab’ killed in a story told in one of the most famous novels of the 20th century, ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus. An Arab with an erased name: Moussa. Through anger, assertions, details, and confidences, Haroun finally convinces the journalist to listen to his story. His confession is a cry of freedom and distress—but above all, a cry of revolt: against an abusive mother, against a country that failed to achieve true independence, against a book, and against a famous French writer.

What to expect

The film is classified as Drama. That genre mix and the published premise are the clearest guide to what viewers can expect without moving beyond the confirmed information.

Cast and creative team

Directed by Malek Bensmaïl. Writing credits include Malek Bensmaïl, Jacques Fieschi. The listed cast includes Ahmed Benaissa, Hiam Abbass, Dali Benssalah, Nabil Asli, Amina Ben Ismaïl, Grégoire Monsaingeon, Mustapha Ayad, Raphaël Thiéry, Brahim Derris, Choumeyssa Nassah.

• Ahmed Benaissa as Haroun
• Hiam Abbass as Mother
• Dali Benssalah as Haroun (young)
• Nabil Asli as Kamel
• Amina Ben Ismaïl
• Grégoire Monsaingeon
• Mustapha Ayad
• Raphaël Thiéry
• Brahim Derris as Moussa
• Choumeyssa Nassah

Release and production context

The listed release date is 2026-11-04. Production countries: Algeria, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia. Spoken languages: Arabic, Spanish, French.

Production companies: Hikayet Films, Need Productions, Tita Productions, CADC, Imagofilm Lugano, RSI, SRG SSR, Red Sea Film Foundation

Movies Dock view

This guide keeps the focus on confirmed information about The Arab, without adding unverified plot or viewing claims.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb