Overview
A heartfelt exploration of faith and hospitality during a time of celebration and trials.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- warm
- witty
- sincere
- holiday viewing
- faith-centered discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a distinctive, warmly comic Israeli drama rooted in Orthodox Jewish life and humane spiritual conflict.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Moshe and Malli welcome escaped convicts as their festival guests, turning the sukkah's promise of hospitality into a personal and spiritual ordeal.
The childless, broke couple depends on prayer, charity, and apparent miracles while confronting the pressures of their precarious circumstances.
Orthodox observance, rabbinical advice, charitable fundraising, and efforts to suppress anger are presented through an intimate comic-drama register.
The fragile festival shack functions as both shelter and public symbol, bringing poverty, guests, prayer, and conflict into one constrained space.
Films like Ushpizin, and why
The Band's Visit
warm religious comedy drama centered on hospitality, faith, and everyday hardship
Fill the Void
observant Jewish community setting, spiritual conflict, and gentle humanist humor
The Syrian Bride
poignant, culturally specific comedy drama about material struggle and moral responsibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Gidi Dar
- Release Date
- 2004-07-11
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (23)
Cast
- Shuli Rand
- Michal Bat-Sheva Rand
- Shaul Mizrahi
- Ilan Ganani
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Ushpizin about?
- During Sukkot, a devout and impoverished Jerusalem couple discover that miraculous hospitality can bring trials as demanding as blessings.
- What is Ushpizin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ushpizin as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Ushpizin violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Ushpizin as mild.
- What did critics think of Ushpizin?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a distinctive, warmly comic Israeli drama rooted in Orthodox Jewish life and humane spiritual conflict.
- Which films are like Ushpizin?
- Films with a similar feel include The Band's Visit, Fill the Void, and The Syrian Bride.
- How long is Ushpizin?
- Ushpizin runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ushpizin?
- In United States, Ushpizin is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
