«Atoman» : The Moroccan superhero who has yet to win hearts

Available on Prime Video since August 29, 2025, Atoman has struggled to win over audiences. The first feature film by Belgian-Moroccan director Anouar Moatassim was envisioned as a national «Marvel». It follows Hakim Imlil, a prodigious hacker who survives an assassination attempt only to discover he possesses an ancient power. Drawing on mythological references to Atlantis and Amazigh cultural heritage, the story unfolds against spectacular real-world landscapes. Yet behind its cyberwarfare backdrop, many viewers find the narrative lacking in coherence and the special effects underwhelming.

On platforms tracking new releases and review sites, numerous comments highlight the flat, straightforward dialogues that make it difficult to fully immerse in the story. At times, the lines disrupt the cinematic flow of key sequences, leaving parts of the plot confusing.

Not all opinions are negative, however. The site Brain Damaged describes the film as «a fresco shot in ancient caves, mythical kasbahs, and futuristic solar plants like the Nour station», in which «an ethical hacker discovers his extraordinary origins to become the defender of the world’s balance».

Another specialized platform praised the production, noting: «Driven by the energy of Lartiste in his cinematic debut, with a soundtrack blending Soprano, DJ Van, and traditional music, Atoman does more than entertain: it asserts a bold, rooted vision ready to shine». Moatassim explained to the same outlet that the project was entirely self-financed, with a total budget of «1.4 million euros, not 3 million as some believed».

Still, in the spotlight, rapper Lartiste struggles to deliver the gravitas needed to give the protagonist a true superhero aura. Meanwhile, actors Samy Naceri and Sarah Perles appear more focused on reciting their lines than embodying their characters naturally. Other outlets, including Télé Loisirs, offered similarly lukewarm reviews. By Sunday evening, Atoman held an average rating of just 0.8 out of 5 stars on Allociné, based on 269 reviews.