I Was a Stranger

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2:23

I Was a Stranger

PG-13

Jan 2026

1h 43m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

When a Syrian doctor is forced to flee Aleppo with her young daughter, one desperate choice sets off a chain of events that ripples across borders and pulls four strangers into the same storm. A smuggler trying to save his son. A soldier wrestling with his conscience. A poet searching for home. A Greek coast guard captain caught between duty and mercy. Their paths collide on a night in the Mediterranean, where survival is uncertain, and humanity is revealed in its rawest form.

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Critics Consensus

Pairing sharp storytelling and daring direction from Brandt Andersen, I Was a Stranger overcomes an occasionally heavy-handed script with gripping set pieces and nerve-jangling tension.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Jan 9

2/4

Compassion begins at home, and 'I Was a Strange’ seems to have missed that part of the journey.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Jan 8

3.5/4

It’s a suspenseful handwringer that features one of the most nerve-wracking boat-raft passages I’ve ever seen on film. Andersen has also come up with a perfect ending, one that illustrates so much by saying so little.

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Wendy Ide

Screen International

02/28/2024

This is an ambitious and confident first feature, yet it is hampered by a screenplay that is intent on emphasising the most obvious points about the issue rather than offering a new perspective.

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Mark Meszoros

The News-Herald (Willoughby, OH)

Feb 12

3/4

I Was a Stranger is the undeniably impressive — and, at times, heartbreaking — feature debut of writer-director Brandt Andersen, who adapted it from his award-winning short film Refugee.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Jan 19

I was very surprised by the violence but is moving and well done

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Monique Jones

Common Sense Media

Jan 13

5/5

This drama offers a sobering example of how the people around us have stories that could shake us to our core.

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Delilah

1d

Intense movie with a powerful message

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Gaby

Jan 23

A very compelling story and a must-see film. It shows humanity at its best and how people are willing to risk their lives for a chance at a better future. A sad and heartbreaking story. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

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Sabrina W

Jan 21

This is a compelling story about the Syrian War and how it has affected the people who have lived there. It is intense, moving and inspiring. I highly recommend this movie!

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Wanda

Jan 19

The movie felt like it didnt have an ending, like it was incomplete.

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Wendy A

Jan 19

Excellent movie I love that kind of movie true story 100% recommend

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miriam o

Jan 19

the movie was good and showed what and why refugees come to America. Most of them are decent human beings that want to live a life of peace, safety and prosperity.

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Brandt Andersen

Director

Yasmine Al Massri

Amira

Yahya Mahayni

Mustafa

Omar Sy

Marwan

Ziad Bakri

Fathi

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I Was a Stranger: Trailer 2

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I Was a Stranger: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a Syrian doctor is forced to flee Aleppo with her young daughter, one desperate choice sets off a chain of events that ripples across borders and pulls four strangers into the same storm. A smuggler trying to save his son. A soldier wrestling with his conscience. A poet searching for home. A Greek coast guard captain caught between duty and mercy. Their paths collide on a night in the Mediterranean, where survival is uncertain, and humanity is revealed in its rawest form.

Director: Brandt Andersen
Producer: Brandt Andersen, Ossama Bawardi, Ryan Busse, Charlie Endean
Screenwriter: Brandt Andersen
Distributor: Angel Studios
Production Co: Philistine Films
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Bloody Images|A Racial Slur|Strong Violent Content|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2026, Wide
Runtime: 1h 43m