The Strangers' Case

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The Strangers' Case

2024,

1h 37m,

Drama

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Watchlist

76%

21 Reviews

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Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

Popcornmeter

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, 2026

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, 2026

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

Feb 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, 2026

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, 2026

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

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Monique Jones

Common Sense Media

Jan 13, 2026

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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Brandt Andersen

Director

Charlie Endean

Director

Yasmine Al Massri

Amira

Yahya Mahayni

Mustafa

Omar Sy

Marwan

Ziad Bakri

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Director: Brandt Andersen, Charlie Endean
Producer: Brandt Andersen, Ossama Bawardi, Ryan Busse
Screenwriter: Brandt Andersen
Production Co: Philistine Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Arabic
Runtime: 1h 37m

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