Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional, intense look at the Syrian War's human toll.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I Was a Stranger
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
I WAS A STRANGER follows Amira (Yasmine Al Massri), a medical worker in war-torn Syria who flees the country with her daughter. Their terrifying escape from the country impacts Amira and others around her in ways that no one could expect or comprehend.
Is It Any Good?
This drama offers a sobering example of how the people around us have stories that could shake us to our core. Al Massri masterfully plays Amira in I Was a Stranger: She's a woman who has lived through the downfall of Syria, enduring trauma and tragedy. Watching her story is harrowing, but the film packs its real final punch at the very end, when viewers see what Amira's life now has turned into.
The film also makes a great point about how every person's life impacts everyone else. The cast's heartfelt performances draw viewers in and, without explicitly saying so, encourage viewers to have compassion for others. Overall, I Was a Stranger is a film that's likely to leave viewers changed after watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about compassion. In what ways does I Was a Stranger teach viewers the importance of having compassion for others?
Do you consider Amira a role model? Why, or why not?
How does the film humanize the Syrian War and those who've suffered because of it?
How are the families at the center of the film affected by each other?
How does the film show the importance of empathy and compassion?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 9, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : February 10, 2026
- Cast : Yasmine Al Massri , Yahya Mahayni , Omar Sy , Constantine Markoulakis
- Director : Brandt Andersen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Angel Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History ( War: Other )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violent content/bloody images, thematic material, a racial slur and smoking
- Last updated : January 18, 2026
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