It is not every day that an Arabic psychological thriller tempts the play button on Netflix, especially one from Saudi Arabia.
However, Telfaz11’s latest production, “The Matchmaker,” has certainly piqued interest.
The intriguing aspect of the feature film is its plotline, filled with ambiguities, premonitions, and complex relationships.
Released on April 27, the movie begins with Aliaa’s backstory, a girl who falls in love and marries a man who eventually inflicts emotional and physical pain upon her.
In her sorrows, only one ear hears her cries — Siba, the hidden one, who helps Aliaa cleanse her husband’s soul. Viewers are left to wonder how this narrative connects to the main plotline and what mysterious magical forces lie ahead when they meet the main character.
Tarek, a bored, married IT worker, finds fascination in misogynistic podcasts and working late. His infatuation grows for a colleague who resigns, leaving behind a box with a tablet meant for her and Tarek’s boss, Abu Mouath.
Curiosity gets the better of Tarek, and he opens the box, revealing an ad for a marriage matchmaker promising to fulfil their greatest desires with utmost confidentiality.
Despite being already married with a daughter, Tarek embarks on a journey to a desert hotel (set in the valleys of AlUla) to explore a marriage opportunity with the help of the matchmaker.
In this secluded place, with ominous staff, anonymous guests, and distant sounds, he quickly realizes that the experience is far from what he had expected.
The film comes to life through the performances of Saudi actors Hussam Al-Harthy as Tarek, Nour Al-Khadra as Salma, and a truly captivating portrayal by Reem Al-Habib as the matchmaker.
The story serves as a social commentary on the concept of misyar, a marriage tradition that lacks commitment or attachment, as revealed by the director in an interview.
However, the premise allows for multiple interpretations — a reflection on the desperate measures taken due to loneliness, a cautionary tale on the consequences of infidelity, a matchmaking scheme gone wrong, or perhaps all the above.
It also offers an interesting cultural statement on karma, questioning what if men were constructed to obey women instead.
“The Matchmaker” showcases an elevation in the quality of filmmaking in Saudi Arabia as the industry progresses. It places full trust in the viewer to navigate the puzzling message and follows the suspenseful style of thriller movies with its dialogue, subtle jump scares, and eerie dreamlike sequences.
While the film’s 82 minutes provide an intriguing display of the powerful pull of on-screen storytelling, as the credits roll, the audience is left with more questions than answers, sparking curiosity and reflection.
