Captain Abu Raed

Captain Abu Raed

Year: 2007

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Arabic

Director: Amin Matalqa

Drama

Abu Raed, a humble airport janitor in Amman who dreams of travel, finds a discarded pilot’s hat. Local children think he’s a captain and beg for stories of distant lands. He weaves imaginative tales, forming a bond with them, and confronts the harsh realities of their lives, deciding to help improve their future.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Captain Abu Raed yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Captain Abu Raed (2007)

Trace every key event in Captain Abu Raed (2007) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Abu Raed finds the captain's hat and is mistaken for a pilot

Abu Raed, an airport janitor at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, discovers a Royal Jordanian captain's hat in the trash. The neighborhood children mistake him for an airline pilot and beg him to tell stories of his adventures. He initially resists but wearily agrees to entertain them with tales.

early Amman, near Queen Alia International Airport
2

The lie grows into a nickname: Captain Abu Raed

The children press him to explain his supposed journeys to England, France, and New York. He embellishes his stories, and the children begin to view him as their captain. The reputation spreads as they nickname him Captain Abu Raed.

early Neighborhood near the airport
3

Murad seeks to debunk the legend

An older child, Murad, suspects Abu Raed's stories are hollow and sets out to prove it. He drags the other kids on a taxi ride toward the airport to reveal the truth about their idol.

mid City streets to airport vicinity
4

The truth hurts: the kids see Abu Raed cleaning

During the ride to the airport, the children come face to face with the reality of Abu Raed: he is shown scrubbing the floor on his hands and knees. Their admiration collapses as they witness the disparity between his stories and his everyday life. The moment shatters their idealized image of him.

mid Queen Alia International Airport
5

Murad’s home life reveals its gravity

Murad’s theft of money from his father, Abu Murad, is tied to a cycle of hardship, with Abu Murad drunk and abusive toward Murad’s mother Um Murad. The family tension explains Murad’s actions and foreshadows further conflict.

mid-late Murad's home
6

Nour enters: Abu Raed opens up about his past

At the airport and later on a bus ride home, Abu Raed befriends Nour, a female pilot whose wealthy father pressures her to marry well. He shares his past with her, including the loss of his wife and son, exposing his vulnerabilities.

mid Airport and Nour’s home
7

Abu Raed tries to help Tareq, with consequences

Abu Raed learns that Tareq is not receiving proper schooling and buys all of his wafers to let him attend school. This backfires in a way, as Tareq’s family uses the goodwill to push him harder into selling. The gesture deepens Abu Raed’s sense of responsibility toward the children.

mid Tareq’s neighborhood/street
8

Exposure, forgiveness, and a symbolic gift

Eventually Abu Raed is exposed as a phony, but he forgives Murad and gives him the pilot hat as a token of forgiveness. The act cements a fragile bond between them and signals a new sense of responsibility for Abu Raed.

mid-late Murad's neighborhood
9

The model airplane incident and a comforting bond

Murad steals a model airplane from a travel agency and is physically punished by his father. Abu Raed comforts him in a moment of tenderness, reinforcing their growing bond and convincing Abu Raed that he must protect the family.

late Travel agency and home
10

A plan to protect the family takes shape

Abu Raed resolves to find a way to bring Murad, his younger brother, and their mother to safety. Nour volunteers to shelter them in her family’s large house, and they begin planning their departure from danger.

late Murad’s neighborhood and Nour’s house
11

The cap is reclaimed, the escape begins

As they are about to leave, Murad runs back to retrieve the pilot’s cap, a symbol of his dreams. Nour drives the family away, while Tareq asks what is happening; Abu Raed answers softly, 'Nothing' to protect the others’ safety.

evening Near Murad’s home
12

A deadly turning point in the Murad apartment

Despite Um Murad’s warnings that Abu Murad may kill him, Abu Raed stays in the Murad apartment to confront his fate. The story implies Abu Murad returns and kills Abu Raed, leaving a chilling void in the family’s life.

night Murad’s apartment
13

Years later: Murad becomes a pilot

Years pass and Murad grows into a Royal Jordanian pilot, gazing out at the airfield where his dreams first took shape. The narrative closes on the legacy of Abu Raed’s kindness living on in him.

years later Airfield

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:28

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Captain Abu Raed

Don't stop at just watching — explore Captain Abu Raed in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Captain Abu Raed is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Captain Abu Raed Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Captain Abu Raed, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Captain Abu Raed Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Captain Abu Raed

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Captain Abu Raed. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Captain Abu Raed

Captain Abu Raed Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Captain Abu Raed that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Captain Abu Raed Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Captain Abu Raed

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Captain Abu Raed: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Captain Abu Raed

Similar Movies to Captain Abu Raed

Discover movies like Captain Abu Raed that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.