Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- melancholic
- tense
- late night viewing
- international cinema night
What critics said
The film was broadly well received for its vivid Casablanca setting, compelling performances, and socially grounded noir-inflected crime drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses Casablanca as an active noir environment for Karim and Adil's hustling and criminal caper.
Karim and Adil are unemployed hustlers whose romantic and emigration dreams remain constrained by their circumstances.
The protagonists prowl Casablanca's streets while pursuing a risky caper amid social and economic pressure.
Karim and Adil's childhood bond anchors the story as they respond differently to love, emigration, and crime.
Films like Casanegra, and why
The Battle of Algiers
urban crime noir, morally compromised protagonists, and a gritty social portrait of a major city
City of God
neo-noir atmosphere, criminal schemes, and characters trapped by economic and social pressures
La Haine
young outsiders navigating ambition, loyalty, and precarious urban life through crime
Movie Details
- Director
- Nour-Eddine Lakhmari
- Release Date
- 2008-12-24
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (19)
Cast
- Anas El Baz
- Omar Lotfi
- Mohamed Benbrahim
- Ghita Tazi
- Driss Roukhe
- Fatima Herandi Raouya
- Fatiha Ouatili
- Zakaria Atifi
- Hassan Essakali
- Mohamed Boughaba
Common questions
- What is Casanegra about?
- Two lifelong Casablanca hustlers chase romance, escape, and a dangerous criminal opportunity that threatens to expose the limits of their dreams.
- What is Casanegra like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Casanegra as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Casanegra violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Casanegra as moderate.
- What did critics think of Casanegra?
- The film was broadly well received for its vivid Casablanca setting, compelling performances, and socially grounded noir-inflected crime drama.
- Which films are like Casanegra?
- Films with a similar feel include The Battle of Algiers, City of God, and La Haine.
- How long is Casanegra?
- Casanegra runs 131 minutes.
