Rebel (2024 film)

Rebel is a 2024 action-thriller film directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, also known as Adil & Bilall. The film stars Aboubakr Bensaihi, Amir El Arbi, and Tara Abboud.

The film follows Nassim, a young man of Moroccan descent growing up in Belgium. Nassim is lured into joining a jihadist group in Syria after being influenced by online propaganda and feeling lost in his own life. His mother, Leila, travels to Syria to try and rescue him, facing immense danger and moral dilemmas in her desperate attempt to bring him home.

Rebel explores themes of radicalization, identity, motherhood, and the complexities of the Syrian conflict. It aims to provide a nuanced perspective on the factors that contribute to individuals joining extremist groups and the devastating consequences for families involved. The film utilizes a blend of realism and musical sequences to portray the emotional turmoil of the characters. It received generally positive reviews, praising its performances, direction, and its exploration of a sensitive and complex subject matter.