A Prophet
Sentenced to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena is alone in the world and can neither read nor write. On his arrival at the prison, he seems younger and more brittle than the others detained there. At once he falls under the sway of a group of Corsicans who enforce their rule in the prison. As the 'missions' go by, he toughens himself and wins the confidence of the Corsican group.
Working with a modest budget of $13.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $17.9M in global revenue (+37% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Prophet (2009) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Jacques Audiard's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Malik El Djebena
César Luciani
Reyeb
Ryad
Lattrache
Main Cast & Characters
Malik El Djebena
Played by Tahar Rahim
A young illiterate Arab man sentenced to six years in prison who transforms into a cunning criminal operator through survival and manipulation.
César Luciani
Played by Niels Arestrup
The aging Corsican crime boss who rules the prison and forcibly recruits Malik as his hitman and errand boy.
Reyeb
Played by Hichem Yacoubi
A fellow Arab inmate and Muslim prisoner who Malik is forced to murder early in his sentence, haunting him throughout.
Ryad
Played by Adel Bencherif
A fellow Arab inmate who becomes Malik's friend, confidant, and business partner in the drug trade.
Lattrache
Played by Reda Kateb
An influential Arab crime figure outside prison who becomes Malik's connection to the Muslim criminal network.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Malik El Djebena, a 19-year-old illiterate Arab, arrives at prison in handcuffs, vulnerable and alone. He is processed and stripped of his identity, entering a harsh world he doesn't understand.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when César orders Malik to murder Reyeb, a Muslim prisoner who could testify against the Corsicans. Malik is given a razor blade and an ultimatum: kill or be killed.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 38 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Malik commits his first murder, killing Reyeb in a brutal, clumsy stabbing. He crosses the threshold from innocent prisoner to killer, covered in blood and forever changed. He becomes César's property., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 116 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Malik's friend Ryad is killed in a hit orchestrated by rival factions. The death of his closest ally and the loss of innocence he represented devastates Malik, leaving him isolated despite his power., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 123 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Malik completes his sentence as the prophesied leader of a new criminal network. César is left powerless and alone. Malik has become the prophet—a leader who sees the future and shapes it on his own terms., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Prophet's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping A Prophet against these established plot points, we can identify how Jacques Audiard utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Prophet within the crime genre.
Jacques Audiard's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Jacques Audiard films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Prophet takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jacques Audiard filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Jacques Audiard analyses, see Rust and Bone, The Sisters Brothers and The Beat That My Heart Skipped.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Malik El Djebena, a 19-year-old illiterate Arab, arrives at prison in handcuffs, vulnerable and alone. He is processed and stripped of his identity, entering a harsh world he doesn't understand.
Theme
César Luciani, the Corsican mob boss, tells Malik: "In here, you're nothing. You have to choose a side." The theme of power, survival, and transformation through compromise is established.
Worldbuilding
Malik navigates the prison hierarchy, learning the racial divisions between Corsicans and Muslims. He observes César's control over the prison and witnesses the brutal power dynamics that govern survival.
Disruption
César orders Malik to murder Reyeb, a Muslim prisoner who could testify against the Corsicans. Malik is given a razor blade and an ultimatum: kill or be killed.
Resistance
Malik struggles with the impossible choice, practicing the murder technique and wrestling with his conscience. He receives minimal guidance, alone with his fear and the weight of taking a life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Malik commits his first murder, killing Reyeb in a brutal, clumsy stabbing. He crosses the threshold from innocent prisoner to killer, covered in blood and forever changed. He becomes César's property.
Mirror World
Malik begins learning to read and write in prison classes, and Reyeb's ghost starts appearing to him. These parallel worlds—education and haunting—represent his potential for growth and the cost of his choices.
Premise
Malik serves César while secretly building his own knowledge and connections. He learns languages, runs errands outside prison during day releases, and begins understanding how power really works. He transforms from pawn to student.
Opposition
Malik builds his own Muslim network while César's Corsican power base weakens as members are released or die. Tensions rise as César realizes Malik is slipping from his control. The power balance shifts.
Collapse
Malik's friend Ryad is killed in a hit orchestrated by rival factions. The death of his closest ally and the loss of innocence he represented devastates Malik, leaving him isolated despite his power.
Crisis
Malik mourns Ryad and confronts the emptiness of his transformation. He has become powerful but has lost pieces of his humanity. He must decide who he will be: César's successor or something different.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Malik completes his sentence as the prophesied leader of a new criminal network. César is left powerless and alone. Malik has become the prophet—a leader who sees the future and shapes it on his own terms.