You are here:
Infidel

Infidel

2019

R

Director

Cyrus Nowrasteh

Runtime

107 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

An American is kidnapped while attending a conference in Cairo and ends up in prison in Iran on spying charges. His wife goes to Iran, determined to get him out.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

1.9/10

Minimal


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film contains no LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. The story focuses entirely on religious and geopolitical conflict without engaging with queer themes.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative follows traditional gender hierarchies and a patriarchal framework. The wife's role is depicted in a supportive, conventional capacity rather than subverting established gender roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

While the setting is international, ethnic diversity serves to establish a binary between Western protagonists and Middle Eastern antagonists. Casting reinforces a clear geopolitical and religious divide.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Minimal

The film rejects moral fluidity, positioning Christian values as a central pillar of Western identity. Non-Western religious institutions are portrayed as systemic threats to the protagonists.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no discernible focus on visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by religious and national identities rather than physical or neurodivergent experiences.

Strengths

  • The film provides a clear, focused narrative centered on religious and geopolitical conflict.
  • It utilizes an international setting to establish a high-stakes, global atmosphere.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film relies on traditional gender hierarchies and patriarchal frameworks.
  • Representation of ethnic diversity is used primarily to reinforce a binary between Western and Middle Eastern identities.
  • The narrative lacks engagement with LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative perspectives.

AI Analysis

Infidel is a film that intentionally reinforces established Western hierarchies and religious certainties. It avoids deconstructing social norms, opting instead to defend traditional institutions through a lens of religious absolutism. The narrative uses identity to draw sharp boundaries between Western values and perceived extremist ideologies. Rather than seeking intersectional depth, the film utilizes cultural and religious markers to delineate 'in-group' versus 'out-group' dynamics. Ultimately, the work functions as a critique of religious relativism. It prioritizes a worldview where traditional family units and religious convictions act as stabilizing forces against external radicalism.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.