Overview
A young boy's journey through the desert becomes a test of courage and maturity amidst war's chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- austere
- haunting
- arthouse film night
- historical cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a startlingly assured debut with striking Jordanian landscapes, historical authenticity, and a standout performance from Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Theeb is forced to navigate lethal desert circumstances and adult political intrigue while still a young boy.
Critics explicitly describe the film as a Bedouin-Western, combining desert survival, tribal codes, and frontier danger.
The film was shot in Jordan's Wadi Rum and is repeatedly praised for its eye-searing, magnificently photographed landscapes.
A British officer's secret mission unfolds inside the Ottoman Hijaz, placing Theeb and his Bedouin community amid wartime external power struggles.
Films like Theeb, and why
Tracks
shared Bedouin-Western atmosphere, historical frontier setting, and survival-driven coming of age
Lawrence of Arabia
shared desert journey, stark landscapes, and austere adventure drama
The Proposition
shared frontier morality, young protagonist, and tense period adventure structure
The Way Back
shared historical displacement, intimate survival stakes, and visually expansive desert setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Naji Abu Nowar
- Release Date
- 2014-10-26
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (195)
Cast
- Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat
- Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh
- Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen
- Marji Audeh
- Jack Fox
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Film Movement Plus, Film Movement Plus Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Theeb about?
- A Bedouin boy's perilous wartime desert journey transforms a guide's errand into a brutal apprenticeship in survival and loyalty.
- What is Theeb like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Theeb as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Theeb violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Theeb as moderate.
- What did critics think of Theeb?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a startlingly assured debut with striking Jordanian landscapes, historical authenticity, and a standout performance from Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat.
- Which films are like Theeb?
- Films with a similar feel include Tracks, Lawrence of Arabia, The Proposition, and The Way Back.
- How long is Theeb?
- Theeb runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Theeb?
- In United States, Theeb streams on Film Movement Plus, Film Movement Plus Amazon Channel.
