Incendies (2010)

Kernel Score: 90% · 3,172 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, War, Mystery

Released: 2010-09-17

Runtime: 131 minutes

Is Incendies worth watching?

Must-watch. Twins travel to the Middle East to follow their late mother's last wishes, and uncover a devastating family history. It's patient, serious and emotionally heavy, with a final revelation that sticks with you.

Watch it if you

  • like layered mysteries about family secrets
  • can handle heavy, serious subject matter

Skip it if you

  • want light viewing
  • dislike films about war and cruelty

Best for: Serious solo night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Incendies

  • Free with ads: The Roku Channel
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.

Incendies parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Incendies is an R-rated war drama with intense themes of massacre and family trauma.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — The story involves militia violence, massacre, and dark wartime secrets from the Lebanese Civil War, described as 'intense' and 'horrified' in keywords.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Incendies

If you liked Incendies, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Prisoners (2013) — 88%: Another Villeneuve film of moral darkness and a hard search
  • Waltz with Bashir (2008) — 87%: Powerful film about memory and the Lebanese war
  • First They Killed My Father (2017) — 83%: War seen through a child's eyes, quiet and harrowing
  • Arrival (2016) — 85%: Villeneuve again, with a deeply human core
  • Brothers (2009) — 81%: Family torn apart by war and its aftermath
  • Blade Runner 2049 (2017) — 85%: Slow, ambitious Villeneuve film about memory and identity

Director

Denis Villeneuve

Cast

  • Lubna Azabal as Nawal
  • Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin as Jeanne Marwan
  • Maxim Gaudette as Simon Marwan
  • Rémy Girard as Notary Lebel
  • Allen Altman as Notaire Maddad
  • Abdelghafour Elaaziz as Abou Tarek
  • Dominique Briand as Professor Niv Cohen
  • Frédéric Paquet as Doctor in the Emergency Room
  • Ahmad Massad as Bassem Marwan
  • John Dunn-Hill as Professor Said Haidar

Incendies FAQ

Is Incendies worth watching?

Must-watch. Twins travel to the Middle East to follow their late mother's last wishes, and uncover a devastating family history. It's patient, serious and emotionally heavy, with a final revelation that sticks with you.

Where can I watch Incendies?

In the US you can watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Incendies OK for kids?

Incendies is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Incendies is an R-rated war drama with intense themes of massacre and family trauma.

What movies are like Incendies?

If you liked Incendies, try Prisoners, Waltz with Bashir, First They Killed My Father and Arrival.