User reviews

It's a nice movie, not what I was really expecting. I liked the movie overall but I didn't find the sinister/witchcraft part was necessary, it actually pulled me out of the movie many time. The movie could have been great if they didn't include that "I am an Egyptian based in Egypt"

I would really say that the last 5 minutes of the movie are priceless, worth the whole movie. That conversation between Mo and Hesham's mother is masterpiece. Such a beautiful lady and such a beautiful character.

The movie is a bit realistic by how the Egyptian society perceives homosexuality but that's not all Egyptians, I would have loved to find a representation for the Egyptians who accepts and supports homosexuality because they exist.

When is something sinful, and when is it not? It's hardly a clear-cut matter; what someone might see as perfectly acceptable is utter heresy for someone else, despite the fact that the same issue is up for debate in each of those cases. And it's this question that's explored in writer-director Marwan Mokbel Elessawi's second feature outing about an Egyptian-American gay couple who visit the homeland to handle a family emergency and end up undergoing a frightening, unexpected supernatural experience. One of the partners, Mo (short for Mohammed) (Junes Zahdi), who has spent most of his life in the US and has had little contact with his family for years, is unaccustomed to the lack of tolerance he experiences compared to his life in America. Yet, despite sincere efforts to maintain a low profile, he soon discovers that there may be those who know about his "sinful" secret - and who seek to inflict evil deeds upon him for his allegedly wicked ways, experiences that prompt Mo to question his own behavior. But aren't those gestures perpetrated against him innately as evil as what he's supposedly guilty of? While these acts are served up in the guise of witchcraft, the narrative draws upon them as metaphors for the narrow-mindedness of fanatical religious fundamentalism. These incidents thus place the beleaguered protagonist in a position of having to assess his beliefs about himself and what's unfolding around him, issues that hearken back to his youthful upbringing and prompting him to examine his current behavior. The result is an admirably ambitious effort at exploring the key question raised above. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't address it as clearly as it might have. While this offering starts out strong and finishes well, it stumbles in the middle, getting caught up in an array of confusing story threads that go on too long and ultimately yield more muddle than riddle. Although the film provides a detailed look at the rites and practices of Egyptian witchcraft, there's a definite TMI quality about this that doesn't allow the narrative's symbolic elements to come across as unobstructed as they might have otherwise. I appreciate the sentiment that this one was going for, but it's regrettable that it didn't carry it off as well as it might have. It really is true that less can be more.

I would not have predicted that a screenplay that blends elements of a horror / supernatural genre film with a same-sex love story could work very well as either. But I was pleasantly surprised.

Set in Egypt though largely filmed in Lebanon. The picture is atmospheric and immersive. The scenes intended to provide tension are effectively filmed and provide the suspense expected in a horror movie.

The setting, in a repressive society, puts constraints on the romantic scenes which the actors skillfully handle. The dazzling Junes Zahdi plays the focal character, Mo, with finesse. I was not familiar with him and will be interested so seek out his other work.

This film went so deep in the psychological and social dilemma people live in that specific radical culture. It's screaming for more awareness and compassion in the topic and I think this is a big step.

The film kept me on edge and I could really connect with the characters. Amazing acting, you could really feel the pain and the madness the characters were going through. I think is was a very well done film, from acting to cinematography, from directing to execution. I really believe this is one of a kind and it's a big step for people in the situation to be loved.

Congratulations to the filmmakers.

Wow what an incredible movie. This forbidden gay love story comes as raw as it gets. What an important story to tell! The actors are all phenomenal & the storyline hits you in the middle of your heart. This movie taught me a lot about Lebanon & Egypt's culture and the difficulties to enter a new modern world. It has a slight horror twist wich I was enjoying a lot, it makes the movie much more interesting and unique. I've never seen a film where love, culture, horror, drama and current problematic politics would come together in one movie. Beautifully made, such a high quality treasure.

Must see & get your tissues ready.

Absolutely epic acting / performances. The story was fascinating and directed hauntingly beautiful. Loved the music and all the authentic locations. So many surprising Plot twists and real characters who you will fall in love with. It's not really a horror film though for those who only want that, it may not be for you. It's a psychological thriller, drama with horror elements. I've never seen a film like this and was intrigued from the very first opening. It didn't need gore or even nudity to bring across all the extreme themes of the story. Beautiful cinematography!! Can't stress enough how well it was acted, from the lead J. Zahdi to everyone else!

Not your usual LGBtQ film. Nothing usual about this film at all. Just an intense rollercoaster ride from start to finish and it hits alll the feels.

Absolutely love it. Such a wonderful message too. In all that dark drama the writer managed to hit us with a super positive, uplifting message in the end. Amazing. Must watch!!

A compelling watch of serious depths. This movie was so intriguing to me and very thought-provoking. It skillfully tackled themes of justice and morality. Beautiful performances, and so masterfully shot and edited. It's refreshing to see these kinds of films from Arab content creators. You can tell there is a lot of effort put into the story and the characters in the film. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. The cinematography draws you in, capturing raw emotions and the tense atmosphere. Every scene adds meaning to the overall narrative, making it a film worth reflecting on long after watching. Highlt Recommend!

In a world where everything is already complicated, growing up in a world like this, I so appreciated how the director brought this theme to life. How the actors brought the characters to life. Especially Junes Zahdi who gave an incredible performance. Life is never black or white. Or grey for a matter of fact. When you grow up in a religious family, there's always a lot of taboo subject that we can't bring up and discuss. Like the one The Judgement brings up without giving any spoilers. But I'm sure a lot of people will relate to this story. And I hope it will take them on this beautiful emotional journey the same way it took me :)

One of the highlights of Queer Screen festival 😁🍿 watched it on the premiere night in Sydney Australia followed by a question and answer with cast member and actor Junes. I definitely want this Movie on DVD and can't wait to watch it again once it is released on DVD. Queer Screen once again brought a great movie with a good cast to Sydney Australia a good movie with supernatural theme and very entertaining. All my mates will now be watching this movie due to recommendations as it's a movie that is worth a watch. Not sure when this will be released on DVD in Sydney Australia but will definitely buy this to add to my DVD collection of movies.

Outstanding film, amazing acting and captivating story. What a beautiful film! Beautiful fusion between supernatural, culture, religion and queer story. Not only the tough subjects were handled with care and respect, it was done authentically and managed to bring a queer story to an Egyptian and Arab story to the big screen. One day this movie will be in cinemas in the Arab world and a whole new audience will experience this movie. It is definitely one of the best Egyptian films I have seen in long time and I recommend everyone to watch it, read more about the region and the culture and watch it more.

Heartwarming performance, thrilling plot.. Very much recommended. Cannot wait for it to be released in cinemas.

The two main actors delivered a wonderful, intimate and never affected performance. I was thrilled to see how homosexuality is portrayed in Egypt, we need more of such movies.

The film featured in the "Lovers film festival" Turin, I hope this film gets as much visibility as it clearly deserves.

I was very touched by their story, I hope we will see many more movies that give voice to the story of queer people outside of Europe and the United States of America.

Overall a very touching and intimate performance, cannot but recommend it.

Such an amazing movie, haven't felt this touched in a while, its a groundbreaking film that delves into the complex lives of LGBTQ individuals in an Arab country. The film skillfully intertwines cultural expectations with personal struggles, offering a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by gay people in the region, Performances are exceptional, particularly by the lead actor, both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, adding depth to the familial and social dynamics. The film is a testament to the resilience of those who live their truth despite overwhelming odds and provides a powerful commentary on the need for greater acceptance and understanding.

The Judgment, by Marwan Mokbel, is much more than just a thriller. It's an exploration of identity, family, and the fear that comes with hiding your true self. The story follows a gay couple (Mo and Hisham) returning to Egypt to visit each other's families, and it captures the intense stress of navigating conservative households, where being yourself isn't always an option.

What really stood out to me was the unique use of witchcraft, motivated by homophobia, as a supernatural element. It felt like a clever way to show the fears and pressures queer people face, while still keeping the thriller aspect intact. But for me, the heart of the film is in the relationships between the sons and their mothers, where Mokbel contrasts acceptance and rejection beautifully. You really feel that he wanted to shine a light on the mother-son dynamic, and it's such a powerful portrayal.

Visually, the film is stunning, with Egypt as the backdrop adding a lot to the eerie, tense atmosphere. The acting was also on point, with both leads (Zahdi and Shahin) delivering strong performances. The Judgment really surprised me with its complexity. It's rare to see a queer thriller with this much emotional depth.

I've never felt more represented than I did while watching this film. Thank you for making it. While Judgement is technically a horror film, it feels real in every sense-every detail, every emotion, every moment. It's the kind of horror that isn't just about scares but about something much deeper and more profound. This is intelligent horror, the kind that lingers, stays with you, and never truly leaves. I'm talking about "the curse of loving them." I cried through the entire movie, overwhelmed by fear, sadness, and an intense wave of emotions. It wasn't just fear of the supernatural, but the raw, unrelenting fear of love, fear, and guilt. Every single moment of this film was breathtaking. The tension, the emotion, the pain that's what makes it so unforgettable. Judgement is a unique experience, and it's the kind of film that stays with you long after you've seen it. It's not just a movie-it's an emotional journey that leaves a deep, lasting impact.

I've never seen any film like this. Especially not a LGBTQ focused film. I thought it as just watching a Horror film at this festival but halfway through I found my chest tightening and tears flowing and the heavy grip didn't stop until the beautiful, unexpected, ending. I don't want to spoil it but you MUST see this film. The actors were outstanding, truly. Heart wrenching and lovable. The script, directing, cinematography, locations were all also absolutely fantastic and masterful. The music was magical. A lot happens in the film and at times it can be overwhelming but hearing the Q&A afterwards answered a lot of my questions. It's the kind of film you want or should see at least twice to discover all of the nuances. As a queer person who can relate to these characters and their struggle, I am thankful for the writer to have created such an incredible film. We need much more of this: non-cliche multi-genre films that have a very deep message. "god is as much yours as he's mine", a line that broke my heart but inspired me so much. Fantastic film. Thank you!!!

This is one of my favorite films of 2024. The complexities between culture, religion, and sexual orientation are all explored under the guise of horror. I watched this film during a film festival not knowing what to expect and was definitely not disappointed. The main character faces the complexities of carrying controversial intersectional identities and navigating this in a space that already invokes so much memories and trauma. The film does a great job of exploring the thoughts we can have while navigating the complexities of these intersectional identities and how that can influence how we chose to love the people around us. I cannot wait to re-watch this film.