Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ambitious British satire about film industry and identity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
In Camera
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
IN CAMERA finds Aden (Nabhaan Rizwan) spending his days attending auditions, where he's lined up among other British Asian actors and rarely given the opportunities that match his talent. As the rejections continue to take their toll, he takes on an unusual role in order to pay his rent.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-director Naqqash Khalid's ambitious debut feature is an impressive, if slightly uneven, drama that explores stereotype and tokenism in the film and TV industry. Satirical humor and surreal interludes give In Camera a playful, off-kilter feel, but it's Rizwan's central performance that really stands out. Everyone in the movie seems lonely and disconnected, from Rizwan's Aden to his flatmates—exhausted junior doctor Bo and cocky hustler Conrad—to the grieving mother who hires Aden to take on the role of her dead son. There's a disorientating feel to the way the plot unfolds, and nobody seems quite secure in their own identity. The theme is explored further through Aden's never-ending auditions, as he's dehumanized and labeled with a number before being corralled into tiny rooms with other identically dressed British Asian actors—the one who looks the most "unproblematic" walking away with the role. There are some nice touches as themes loop back around: the way Aden deals with an insect, the dynamics of a hug. Small tweaks make an impact and cleverly reflect his emotional state. But other times things don't quite land and leave the tone feeling uneven and difficult to fully buy into. However, there's plenty here to mark this as a successful debut for Khalid and a strong central role for Rizwan's rising talent.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of identity in In Camera. What did the movie say about identity in its many forms? How was Aden's sense of identity affected by the industry he was in? How do you think racist stereotypes and tokenism played a part in that?
The movie centers a British Asian writer-director and actor in the leading role. Why is representation so important both in front of and behind the camera?
The film mixes drama with satirical comedy and some surreal moments. Did you think it got the balance right? Can you think of any other movies that mix similar aspects? How do they compare?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
Talk about the film's violence. How did it make you feel? Did it ever feel gratuitous, or did it serve a narrative purpose? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 29, 2025
- Cast : Nabhaan Rizwan , Rory Fleck Byrne , Amir El-Masry
- Director : Naqqash Khalid
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studios : Sunrise Films , Together Films
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 5, 2025
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