About the movie: "Rabia" (Rage) is a 2024 French-language drama film directed by Mareike Engelhardt with a runtime of 94 minutes. The film follows a young French woman who travels to Syria with a friend in 2014 to join ISIS, exploring her indoctrination and journey within the radical group.
Plot summary: In 2014, Jessica, a young French woman, leaves France for Syria with her friend Laila. They are promised husbands among the fighters of the Islamic State. Upon arriving in Damascus, Jessica's name is changed to Rabia, and she is introduced to the formidable Madame, who oversees the women. The film delves into Rabia's experiences within the ISIS-controlled territory, focusing on her gradual indoctrination, her relationships with other women in the community, and the stark realities of her new life, which contrast sharply with the idealized vision she was initially presented with.
Director's Vision: Mareike Engelhardt aimed to explore the complex motivations behind radicalization, focusing on the emotional and personal desires that make individuals susceptible to extremist ideologies. Rather than depicting the war itself, Engelhardt sought to examine "emotions, the desire for our life to have meaning, to belong to a family, to be loved," as drivers of radicalization. She intended to portray the on-the-ground indoctrination of a young European woman with intensity and visceral intimacy, highlighting the paradoxes and the "banality of evil" within the system.
Themes:
Radicalization: The film explores the process by which a young European woman becomes radicalized and joins a terrorist organization.
Indoctrination: It depicts the systematic indoctrination and manipulation that occur within ISIS-controlled territories.
Loss of Identity: Jessica's forced name change to Rabia symbolizes the loss of her former identity and the imposition of a new one within the group.
The Allure of Belonging: The film touches on the desire for community and purpose that can draw individuals to extremist groups.
The Reality vs. the Promise: It contrasts the initial promises and propaganda with the harsh and restrictive realities of life within ISIS.
Psychological Transformation: The narrative follows Rabia's psychological journey as she adapts to and is shaped by her new environment.
Key success factors:
Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: The film addresses a significant global issue – the radicalization of Western individuals by extremist groups.
Strong Lead Performance: Megan Northam's performance as Rabia has been highly praised by critics and recognized with awards, suggesting a compelling and nuanced portrayal.
Intimate and Visceral Approach: The director's focus on the emotional and personal aspects of radicalization, rather than just the conflict, offers a unique perspective.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Recognition: Positive reviews and multiple awards and nominations indicate the film's quality and impact.
Exploration of "Banality of Evil": The film delves into the grey zones of radicalization, portraying the insidious nature of indoctrination.
Summary short: A young French woman travels to Syria to join ISIS, where she undergoes indoctrination and confronts the stark realities of her new life.
Awards and nominations (summary in words): "Rabia" (2024) has received three wins and four nominations. Megan Northam won the Breakthrough Actress (Prix Révélation Féminine) award at the Club Média Ciné in 2025. The film won the Prix du Public MGEN and a special mention from the Prix Jury Jeune at the Bastia Mediterranean Film Festival in 2024, both for director Mareike Engelhardt (with a special mention also for Ayelet Menahemi for the Prix Jury Jeune). Megan Northam was nominated for the César Award for Best Female Revelation and the Lumiere Award for Most Promising Actress in 2025. Mareike Engelhardt was also nominated for the Lumiere Award for Best First Film in 2025. The film was also nominated for the Spirit of the Festival Award at the Cork International Film Festival in 2024.
Critics reception (mention sites, add text, summary): Critical reception for "Rabia" (2024) has been largely positive, with particular praise for its lead performance and its insightful exploration of radicalization.
Cineuropa's review calls the film a "hard-hitting and far-sighted work about the grey zones of radicalisation," tremendously toplined by Megan Northam. The review highlights the film's intensity, visceral intimacy, and accurate overview of a sensitive subject. It notes the film's success in conveying the "banality of evil" and charting a poignant personal journey through darkness. The review also mentions the film won multiple awards at local gatherings.
Moveablefest.com reviewed the film at the American French Film Fest 2024, titling their review "The Promised Land Isn't All That It's Expected to Be." They describe it as a bold film.
Overall, critics commend "Rabia" for its powerful portrayal of a young woman's indoctrination into ISIS, Megan Northam's compelling performance, and its nuanced exploration of the motivations and psychological impact of joining such a group. The film's multiple award wins and nominations further attest to its critical success.
Reviews about movie (mention sites, add text summary): Online reviews highlight the film's intense and intimate portrayal of radicalization. Cineuropa praises Megan Northam's performance and the film's ability to convey the complexities of the subject matter. Moveablefest.com also notes the film's boldness in tackling this topic. The film's reception at various film festivals, including wins at Bastia and SCHLiNGEL, indicates a positive response from both general audiences and youth juries.
Box office: As of March 13, 2025, "Rabia" has grossed $107,359 in France. Its worldwide lifetime total gross is also $107,359.
Production: "Rabia" (2024) is a French-language film produced by Films Grand Huit in co-production with several other companies. The film was directed and co-written by Mareike Engelhardt, with principal photography benefiting from support from various regional and national film funds.
Production companies :
Films Grand Huit (France)
Starhaus Filmproduktion (Germany)
Kwassa Films (Belgium)
Arte France Cinéma (France)
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) (Belgium)
Beside Productions (Belgium)
F Comme Film (France)
Memento Films Production (France)
Canal+ (France)
Arte France (France)
Ciné+ (France)
Orange Cinéma Séries (France)
Eurimages (France)
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France)
Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) (France)
Département de la Dordogne (France)
FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (Germany)
Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) (Germany)
Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel et des Télédistributeurs Wallons (Belgium)
Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge (Belgium)
Beside Tax Shelter (Belgium)
Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) (France)
Cofimage 34 (France)
La Banque Postale Image 16 (France)
Région Grand Est (France)
Région Normandie (France)
Normandie Images (France)
The Imaginarium Films (Jordan)
Distribution companies:
Memento Films (France). This French company handled the theatrical distribution of "Rabia" in France, releasing it on November 27, 2024.
Alpenrepublik Filmverleih (Germany). This German company is set to distribute "Rabia" theatrically in Germany in 2025, as well as handling distribution in other regions.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33298252/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/470651/
About movie: http://filmsgrandhuit.com/portfolio/rabia/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/rabia-2024 (France)
Why to recommend this movie (with bullets, text):
For its timely and important exploration of radicalization: The film offers a nuanced perspective on a complex issue that continues to be relevant globally, providing insights into the motivations and experiences of individuals drawn to extremism.
For Megan Northam's compelling and award-winning lead performance: Her portrayal of Rabia is powerful and emotionally resonant, anchoring the film's narrative and impact.
For its intimate and intense narrative: The film delves into the psychological journey of a young woman's indoctrination, providing a visceral and thought-provoking viewing experience that goes beyond typical depictions of terrorism.
For its critical acclaim and recognition at multiple film festivals: The numerous awards and nominations, including recognition from youth juries, highlight the film's quality and its ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Why to Watch Movie:
If you are interested in understanding the human side of radicalization: The film focuses on the emotions, desires, and vulnerabilities that can lead individuals to join extremist groups, offering a deeper understanding of this complex phenomenon.
To witness a powerful debut feature film from director Mareike Engelhardt: Her vision offers a unique and insightful approach to a challenging subject, demonstrating a promising new voice in cinema.
If you appreciate character-driven dramas with strong performances and meaningful social commentary: "Rabia" provides a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinematic experience that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
To gain a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by individuals who become involved with extremist organizations: The film avoids simplistic portrayals and explores the grey zones of this phenomenon, offering a more nuanced and human perspective.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Name of the trend: Social Issue Drama
Summary: "Rabia" aligns with the trend of social issue dramas that tackle complex and often controversial topics with the aim of raising awareness and fostering understanding. By focusing on the radicalization of a young woman, the film contributes to the ongoing cinematic exploration of contemporary social and political issues, particularly those related to extremism and its impact on individuals.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Name of the trend: Understanding Extremism and its Impact
Summary: The film reflects the significant social trend of trying to understand the root causes and human impact of extremism and terrorism. By focusing on the personal journey of an individual who joins ISIS, "Rabia" contributes to the broader societal effort to comprehend the appeal and consequences of radical ideologies, offering a human-centered perspective on a complex global challenge.
Final Verdict: "Rabia" (2024) by Mareike Engelhardt is a critically acclaimed and award-winning French drama that offers a compelling and intimate exploration of the radicalization of a young woman. Anchored by a powerful performance from Megan Northam and praised for its nuanced and intense portrayal, the film is a significant contribution to the social issue drama genre. Its focus on the human motivations behind extremism and the psychological transformation of its protagonist makes it a thought-provoking and highly recommended watch for those seeking a deeper understanding of this complex global issue. The film's strong festival run and critical reception underscore its artistic merit and its importance in contemporary cinema.
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