Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chaotic Saudi comedy with mild language and violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Fakenapping
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE FAKENAPPING follows Sattam (Mohmad Dokhei), a father overwhelmed by debt who decides his only way out is a wildly misguided plan to fake-kidnap his own father. He pulls in his friends to help, but what starts as a desperate scheme quickly grows messy as new people get entangled, timing goes wrong, and every choice creates another complication. The film tracks how this staged kidnapping spins far beyond what Sattam expected and how the fallout ripples through his family and the community around him.
Is It Any Good?
The story opens with a premise that could've made a sharp comedy but instead it quickly unravels. The Fakenapping has a chaotic and uneven tone, and the central joke stretches too far, losing its novelty almost immediately. Mohamed Dokhei as Sattam does what he can to anchor a character with no real moral center, bringing charm where the script allows. Still, the humor often falls flat, and the emotional beats feel forced or dishonest.
The most interesting moments show how greed and ambition spread as more people get caught in the fake kidnapping. Those scenes hint at a better film about corruption and desperation, but the movie never commits, wobbling between tones and relying on all too predictable beats. Fans of broad comedy might enjoy it, but viewers who have seen more cohesive takes on similar themes, like the Coen brothers, will likely be disappointed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why they think Sattam believes faking a kidnapping is his only option. What other choices could he have made instead?
How do the friends in the story influence Sattam's decisions? What makes someone a truly supportive friend?
What does the movie show about how money problems affect families? How can people ask for help when they feel overwhelmed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 11, 2025
- Cast : Mohammed Dokhei , Yazid Almajyul , Abdulaziz Al Sokayreen
- Director : Amine Lakhnech
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads )
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 12, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate