Release Date

“A Complete Unknown” premiered in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2024. It first debuted in early December at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre as part of Beyond Fest. Meanwhile, in Latin America, the movie hit theaters throughout January.

Cast

Directed by James Mangold, the film features a stellar cast:

• Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
• Elle Fanning as Joan Baez
• Monica Barbaro as Suze Rotolo
• Boyd Holbrook as Albert Grossman
• Dan Fogler as Dave Van Ronk
• Edward Norton as Pete Seeger

The cast also includes Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morganfield, Will Harrison, and Scoot McNairy in supporting roles. 

Synopsis

“A Complete Unknown” follows Bob Dylan’s journey from his early days as a young folk singer in New York to his controversial transition into electric rock at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. The film explores his personal relationships, including his romance with Suze Rotolo and artistic collaboration with Joan Baez, as well as the challenges he faced in reshaping popular music.

Reviews

The film has received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 81% approval rating based on 300 reviews, with critics praising Timothée Chalamet’s “electrifying” portrayal of Dylan. Metacritic gives it a score of 70/100, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” James Mangold’s direction has been widely acclaimed, along with the film’s ability to capture the essence of a transformative era in music.

Overall “A Complete Unknown” delivers a deep and nuanced look into Bob Dylan’s formative years, supported by strong performances and outstanding direction.