“A Complete Unknown” (2024), directed by James Mangold, offers a compelling portrayal of Bob Dylan’s transformative early years, charting his journey from a 19-year-old newcomer in New York City to a folk music icon. Starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, the film delves into the artist’s rise within the Greenwich Village scene and his controversial shift to electric music at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Plot Overview
Set against the backdrop of 1960s New York, the narrative follows Dylan’s arrival in Greenwich Village, where he seeks out his idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy). Immersed in the burgeoning folk scene, Dylan forms pivotal relationships with figures like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). The film culminates in Dylan’s electrifying performance at the Newport Folk Festival, marking a significant turning point in his career and the folk music genre .
Production and Music
A standout feature of the film is its commitment to authenticity. Chalamet performs over 40 Dylan songs live on set, playing guitar and harmonica, with recordings made using period-appropriate equipment. Supporting cast members, including Barbaro and Norton, also perform their musical parts live, enhancing the film’s immersive quality .
The soundtrack, released digitally on December 20, 2024, features Chalamet’s renditions of classics like “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Girl from the North Country,” the latter performed as a duet with Barbaro. Physical formats, including a 16-track vinyl and a 23-track CD, followed in early 2025 .
Critical Reception
Upon its release, “A Complete Unknown” garnered generally positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported an 81% approval rating based on 303 reviews, with an audience score of 94%. Metacritic assigned a score of 70 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews” .
Critics praised Chalamet’s performance, noting his dedication to capturing Dylan’s essence. While some reviews pointed out pacing issues and a conventional narrative structure, the film’s musical authenticity and Chalamet’s portrayal were highlighted as strengths .
Box Office Performance
The film achieved commercial success, grossing $75 million in the United States and Canada, and $65 million internationally, totaling $140 million worldwide. Its opening five-day weekend exceeded projections, earning $23.2 million and marking it as the highest-grossing Searchlight Pictures title domestically since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019 .
Awards and Nominations
“A Complete Unknown” received multiple accolades during the 2024/25 awards season:
- Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (James Mangold), Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Best Supporting Actress (Monica Barbaro), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, and Best Costume Design.
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Chalamet won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role; Norton and Barbaro received nominations in supporting categories.
- British Academy Film Awards: Nominations included Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay .
Conclusion
“A Complete Unknown” stands as a testament to Bob Dylan’s enduring influence and the transformative power of music. Through meticulous production and a standout performance by Timothée Chalamet, the film offers an intimate look at a pivotal moment in American cultural history.
