REVIEW: “I Was a Stranger” (2026)

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With “I Was a Stranger,” Brandt Anderson steps into the director’s chair for his first feature film. This bold thriller tackles the Syrian Civil War and its impact on refugees, telling the story through the eyes of five different people. Anderson demonstrates strong, confident direction and straightforward storytelling, proving he’s a new filmmaker willing to take risks.

Anderson’s film tells a story that jumps around in time and perspective, focusing on five main characters. Their individual stories intertwine and occasionally meet, creating a complex and dramatic effect that lets us view the central conflict from multiple viewpoints. The film tackles serious themes and doesn’t flinch from depicting the pain it draws from real-life events. It’s a skillfully made and honest film that is deeply moving and unsettling.

The compelling story follows Amira (Yasmine Al Massri), introduced in Chicago where she now works at a children’s hospital. Eight years prior, she was a pediatric radiologist in Syria. The narrative shifts back to Aleppo, showing Amira completing a demanding 72-hour shift at a hospital. However, a devastating event impacts her family, forcing Amira and her daughter, Rasha (Massa Daoud), to urgently escape the country.

The second chapter centers on Mustafa, a dedicated soldier fiercely loyal to the Syrian government and President Assad. He firmly believes in following orders, but his convictions are shaken when he witnesses a brutal act carried out under his commander’s direction. This event forces Mustafa to question where his true loyalties lie, and he soon finds himself targeted by the very regime he once so strongly supported.

The story then introduces Marwen (Omar Sy), a smuggler who is arguably the most fascinating and complex of the five main characters. Living in Turkey, Marwen leads a double life. He’s a devoted single father struggling to care for his sick son, but he also runs a heartless human smuggling operation. For a large sum of money, he packs families onto flimsy boats and sends them across the dangerous Mediterranean Sea at night, with no concern for their safety. As he bluntly puts it, “The pay is the same,” regardless of whether they survive.

Chapter four focuses on Fathi (Ziad Bakri), a devoted husband and father, and his desperate attempt to help his family escape a refugee camp in Turkey. Leaving won’t be simple, and the journey off the island will be incredibly dangerous. The story concludes with Starvos (Constantine Markoulakis), a courageous Greek Coast Guard Captain who regularly patrols the Aegean Sea. Though he’s saved thousands of refugees, Starvos is deeply troubled by those he couldn’t reach in time.

Although you can often predict how certain storylines will connect, the story still manages to surprise you. The author skillfully weaves together moments and characters from different parts of the narrative, creating meaningful links that both answer important questions and move the overall plot forward. Combined with confident direction and heartfelt performances from the actors, the result is a truly compelling story.

While “I Was a Stranger” might not offer an in-depth look at the Syrian Civil War itself, or explore the political factors behind it, the film powerfully focuses on the human cost of the conflict. It tells the story of the refugee crisis through the experiences of those most affected, presenting a raw and often heartbreaking depiction of their struggles. Despite the grim realities, the film also highlights moments of hope and selflessness, giving it a weighty and urgent feel that stays with you from beginning to end.

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2026-01-09 17:57