Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- intimate
- hypnotic
- quiet evening
- romantic night in
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a haunting, atmospheric, and delicately acted portrait of repressed adult romance, especially Patricia Clarkson's nuanced performance and Cairo's sensuous presence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Juliette and Tareq's brief affair develops through hesitation, silences, and an awareness of marital and social boundaries.
Tareq's tours of Cairo allow the city's rhythms, streets, and sensory textures to seep into Juliette's guarded emotional life.
A visiting Canadian woman and an Egyptian retired police officer form an unexpected connection while navigating Cairo and their differing circumstances.
Juliette's marriage and Tareq's past shape the limits and consequences of their sudden attraction.
Films like Cairo Time, and why
Brief Encounter
shared mature romance, restrained performances, and emotionally unresolved longing
The Lunchbox
shared cross-cultural intimacy, quiet sensuality, and contemplative romantic drama
In the Mood for Love
shared adult adultery narrative, atmospheric urban setting, and understated emotional tension
Lost in Translation
shared expatriate romance, place-driven atmosphere, and melancholic restraint
Movie Details
- Director
- Ruba Nadda
- Release Date
- 2009-10-09
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (84)
Cast
- Patricia Clarkson
- Alexander Siddig
- Elena Anaya
- Amina Annabi
- Tom McCamus
- Mona Hala
- Fadia Nadda
- Mohamed Abdel Fatah
- Hossam Abdulla
- Nabil Shazli
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cairo Time about?
- A married visitor and a retired policeman discover a fleeting, quietly transformative intimacy while exploring Cairo together.
- What is Cairo Time like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cairo Time as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cairo Time violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Cairo Time.
- What did critics think of Cairo Time?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a haunting, atmospheric, and delicately acted portrait of repressed adult romance, especially Patricia Clarkson's nuanced performance and Cairo's sensuous presence.
- Which films are like Cairo Time?
- Films with a similar feel include Brief Encounter, The Lunchbox, In the Mood for Love, and Lost in Translation.
- How long is Cairo Time?
- Cairo Time runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cairo Time?
- In United States, Cairo Time streams on Philo.
