An Unknown Friend

  • 1978
  • Not Rated
  • 90m
movieMx RATING
4.3/10$6.0
VERDICT
FLOP
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Performance & Direction: An Unknown Friend Review

Last updated: January 23, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 23, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is An Unknown Friend (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 4.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and An Unknown Friend features a noteworthy lineup led by Åke Lindman . Supported by the likes of Bruno O'Ya and Kate O'Mara , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of An Unknown Friend (1978) is negative. With an audience rating of 4.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Story & Plot Summary: An Unknown Friend

Quick Plot Summary: An Unknown Friend is a Crime film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: An Unknown Friend

Ending Breakdown: An Unknown Friend attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of An Unknown Friend reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

An Unknown Friend Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

An Unknown Friend incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: An Unknown Friend adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch An Unknown Friend?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Crime films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Top Cast: An Unknown Friend

All Cast & Crew →
Åke Lindman
Åke Lindmaninspector Olavi Susikoski
Bruno O'Ya
Bruno O'YaBruno Linden
Kate O'Mara
Kate O'MaraKaren Linden
Anne Pohtamo
Anne PohtamoHarriet Berg
Nanny Westerlund
Nanny WesterlundLydia Lindström
Jukka-Pekka Palo
Jukka-Pekka PaloRisto Antero Ahvenainen
Risto Mäkelä
Risto MäkeläUnto Åkerblom
Pekka Autiovuori
Pekka AutiovuoriEtsivä Laine
Kauko Helovirta
Kauko HelovirtaTohtori Oiva Berg
Hannu Huuska
Hannu HuuskaTavaratalon vaateosaston myyjä
Kaarlo Juurela
Kaarlo JuurelaToimistovirkailija kirkkoherranvirastossa
Leila Itkonen
Leila ItkonenLydia Lindström
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An Unknown Friend Parents Guide & Age Rating

1978 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about An Unknown Friend age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

An Unknown Friend has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Crime), it contains mature themes, violence.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of An Unknown Friend is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Final Verdict

Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 4.3/10, and global collection metrics, An Unknown Friend stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1978 cinematic year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is An Unknown Friend worth watching?

An Unknown Friend is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 4.3/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.

Where can I find An Unknown Friend parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for An Unknown Friend identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of An Unknown Friend?

The total duration of An Unknown Friend is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.

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How An Unknown Friend Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for An Unknown Friend

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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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 4.3
An Unknown Friend
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