• The A.V. Club
  • The Takeout
  • The Inventory

zarrar movie review

Shaan Shahid (Zarrar) Kiran Malik (Kiran Malik) Nadeem Baig (Colonel Mustajab) Adnan Butt (Mahveer Singh Rajpoot RAW operative) Bilal Chaudhry (Bilal Ahmed) Shafqat Cheema (Ravinder Kaushik) Nayyar Ejaz (Salman Shah) Tamer Güven (Romanov Kovovich) Sher Khan (Sher Khan) Zia Khan (Zia Khan) David Laurence (David) Cyrille Mansuy (Alessandro) Rashid Mehmood Rasheed Naz (Fahimullah Khan)

Shaan Shahid

Zarrar is a secret agent gone rogue. He is on a mission to end corruption, aiming to solve the seemingly endless cycle of threats against his homeland of Pakistan.

Recommendations

zarrar movie review

Advertisement

Zarrar (2022)

  • User Reviews

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews

  • User Ratings
  • External Reviews
  • Metacritic Reviews
  • Full Cast and Crew
  • Release Dates
  • Official Sites
  • Company Credits
  • Filming & Production
  • Technical Specs
  • Plot Summary
  • Plot Keywords
  • Parents Guide

Did You Know?

  • Crazy Credits
  • Alternate Versions
  • Connections
  • Soundtracks

Photo & Video

  • Photo Gallery
  • Trailers and Videos

Related Items

  • External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

list image

Recently Viewed

zarrar movie review

Zarrar | Shaan Shahid | Movie Review

Shaan shahid as the titular character along with kiran malik, nadeem baig, nayyer ejaz, and shafqat cheema in supporting roles..

Laiba Noor

Zarrar is a 2022 Pakistani spy action thriller film written and directed by Shaan Shahid and produced by Ejaz Shahid and Adnan Butt under the banner of Jehan Films. It stars Shaan Shahid as the titular character along with Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig, Nayyer Ejaz and Shafqat Cheema in supporting roles. The film was officially released worldwide on November 25, 2022.

To begin, Shaan Shahid’s achievements are self-evident. Nobody7 needs him to justify his acting chops, career, or notoriety. And yet, Zarrar is a much greater letdown.

To say that “Zahrah” is Sharn’s offspring would be an understatement. Besides directing and writing for the film, he has been working on it for almost a decade. Sadly, the finished product appears to have been ruthlessly demolished.

Storyline and Screenplay

First, a newsreel from Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s 1961 trip to the United States, when he was president of Pakistan. Here, President John F. Kennedy rides in an open automobile with a Pakistani leader who has been praised as a great friend of the United States—until the images cut to the attack on the World Trade Center four decades later. After it, Pakistan was seen as a safe haven for terrorists and was shunned by the West, especially the United States. The video then depicts the eventual withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, effectively ending India’s dreams of gaining sway there. With his new film “Zarrar,” legendary Lollywood actor/director Shaan Shahid is attempting to make amends for his previous methods of working. Since Shaan’s last film, Arth (2017), was a financial failure, the superstar was forced to shoot a political action picture set around the world. Although Shaan’s father, the great director Riaz Shahid (who started out as a journalist before making movies), may have found this subject fascinating, it is not Shaan’s cup of tea. Lawrence, a nomadic character created by Riaz Shahid in Shaheed (January 1962), is a Pakistan separatist. Things were like this long before the ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ movie, in which Peter O’Toole played T.E. Lawrence (December 1962).

The Palestinian movement was also featured in Riaz Shahid’s diamond jubilee film Zarqa (1969). Shaan picked a subject that relates to the world we live in, where Pakistan is under attack from both inside and outside. The media, religious leaders, government agencies, corrupt politicians, and the eponymous “Bairooni Saazish” all play antagonistic roles in the film (foreign conspiracies). Regular Lollywood bad men like Nayyar Ejaz and Shafqat Cheema are among the many antagonists featured in the film. They both portray menacing characters, and the two were previously seen together in Maula Jutt earlier this year. Shafqat Cheema plays RAW agent Ravinder Kaushik, posing as a Moulvi, while Nayyar Ejaz plays corrupt politician Salman Shah who is trying to destabilise Pakistan (religious cleric). While Rasheed Naz (who passed away earlier this year) played Fahimullah Khan (the “Bad Guy from Afghanistan”), producer Adnan Butt plays the lethal Mahavir Singh Rajpoot from RAW. There aren’t many Englishmen (or “goray”) in the film because Zarrar, the “Man from Pakistan,” wipes out their entire squads.

Tim Fathom Wood shot this international spy thriller all the way back in 2016 in Pakistan, Turkey, and the UK. Thomas Farnon scored the film. All of the songs were enjoyable, but the one with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice stood out the most. In a similar vein, the well-choreographed action scenes and patriotic dosage of language were well-received by the Pakistani audience, as was the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) utilised to demonstrate the multi-touch interfaces.

The Shining Light in the Darkness

Kiran Malik is easily Zarrar’s most interesting character. She’s got all the depth of a journalist who’ll sell her soul for a few dollars in bribes and kickbacks.

She promotes her father’s latest book, which is titled “The Truth” (wow, talk about being subtle). She provides a performance that, if only for a few minutes, sets the picture on fire as she mourns the death of her father, a journalist who was slain for his honesty. She also says “Sach sirf sooli pe latka hua acha lagta hai,” which is my favourite line from the entire film (truth is only appreciated when crucified).

The Far-Reaching Ambition

As far as Pakistani thrillers go, “Zarrar” has a rather unique premise. Political favorability, media sway, failed nations, hybrid conflict, and nuclear weapons are all within Shaan Shahid’s sphere of interest.

The plot focuses on the efforts of foreign powers to destabilise Pakistan in order to gain access to the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile. Viewers will identify with the film regardless of how well it depicts Pakistan’s current status, economic troubles, struggles with the IMF, FATF, World Bank, and other international financial institutions.

The central conflict in Zarrar involves a scheme to incite terrorist attacks and general anarchy in Pakistan. National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval and the British and French private operator network RAW are the bad guys.

It also involves corrupt politicians in Pakistan and warlords in Afghanistan. The plot isn’t really creative or sophisticated, but he might have enjoyed it as an espionage thriller. There are just too many holes in the plot, unfortunately. To keep up with the times, adjustments were made to  Zarrar, which was originally scheduled for release before the epidemic.

Muddled Plot

The 2021 U.S. pullout from Afghanistan is documented in the opening sequence. While this particular alteration was necessary, the plot as a whole was fundamentally altered as a result. Most notably, there is no charge for the terrible, glaringly evident dubbing. All of the actors had their natural English accents preserved while they are dubbed into Urdu. The scene’s frame rate was slowed down so that the audience wouldn’t be able to tell that the actor’s mouth was moving independently from the dub. The story is not complex or interesting in any way. The film only briefly touches on serious issues including hybrid warfare, terrorism, journalistic ethics, and corruption.

You don’t feel the gravity of his language, even when the great Nadeem Sahab, playing his former ISI colonel, discusses suicide bombing while constructing a pistol. The reason for this is that he never says anything new.

Horrendous Editing

The dreadful editing in “Zarrar” is the first thing that will stand out to any viewer. It’s unclear how the characters got from one place to another because the film switches to new settings so frequently throughout crucial passages. Kiran (Kiran Malik) unexpectedly travels to Turkey to interview a corrupt politician (Nayyer Ejaz), while Shaan (Shaan Malik) unexpectedly finds himself in a vast compound looking down terrorists and a RAW agent (Shafqat Cheema). The difference between a great film and a mediocre one sometimes comes down to the skill of the editor. There’s no doubt that the latter applies here.

The Choppy Action Choreography

When 2013’s “Waar” hit theatres, its opening scene became the new standard for action movies to come. In 2018, with the release of “Teefa in Trouble,” a new standard was set for action choreography in the film industry. With its Gandasa, dagger, sword, and axe battle, “The Legend of Maula Jatt” raised the standard this year. In retrospect, “Zarrar” would have been deemed a respectable action film had it been released a few years earlier, alongside these other films. This project now appears to be a failure and not worth the price of admission.

With all due respect, I must state that “Zarrar” is not worth your time. The film is terrible, despite the fact that many people worked on it for several years. Whether the poor translations, alterations, and rewrites were Shaan Shahid’s fault or the studio’s, they spoiled what could have been an excellent picture.

The Adventures of Shan and Kiran in Zarrar

In an era where films are increasingly used to shape public perception of a country, “Zarrar” draws attention to the significance of hybrid warfare, exposes plots to undermine Pakistan, and reveals the danger posed by that country’s nuclear weapons. Before the outbreak, Zarrar was on track to become an expensive Hollywood copycat. Several points in the final product are particularly slow. Zarrar fails to achieve the same level of success as Bilal Lashari’s Waar because of flaws in its production, such as choppy editing, too many English-language lines, too many cuts to black, and too much CGI blood.

' src=

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Latest News

Zong 4G's Affordable IDD Bundles for China & Afghanistan

Zong 4G’s Affordable IDD Bundles for China & Afghanistan

Telenor Pakistan and EFU Life Unveil Game-Changing Insurance Bundles

Telenor Pakistan and EFU Life Unveil Game-Changing Insurance Bundles

A Day in the Life of Actor Behnam Khoshnazar

A Day in the Life of Actor Behnam Khoshnazar

realme Disrupts Industry with Note 50's Blazing-Fast Sales

Realme Disrupts Industry with Note 50’s Blazing-Fast Sales

Standard Chartered Pakistan Sets Record Profit in 2023

Standard Chartered Pakistan Sets Record Profit in 2023

Zong and PTA Discuss Pakistan's telecom Roadmap

Zong and PTA Discuss Pakistan’s telecom Roadmap

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Rotten Tomatoes Newsletter

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

  • Upcoming Movies and TV shows
  • Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
  • Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

  • What's the Tomatometer®?
  • Login/signup

zarrar movie review

Movies in theaters

  • Opening this week
  • Top box office
  • Coming soon to theaters
  • Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

  • Netflix streaming
  • Amazon prime
  • Most popular streaming movies
  • What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

  • Dune: Part Two Link to Dune: Part Two
  • Love Lies Bleeding Link to Love Lies Bleeding
  • Orion and the Dark Link to Orion and the Dark

New TV Tonight

  • Invincible: Season 2
  • Boat Story: Season 1
  • The Academy Awards: Season 96
  • Apples Never Fall: Season 1
  • The Girls on the Bus: Season 1
  • Girls5eva: Season 3
  • Manhunt: Season 1
  • Chicken Nugget: Season 1
  • Young Royals: Season 3
  • The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

  • The Gentlemen: Season 1
  • Shōgun: Season 1
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: Season 1
  • The Tourist: Season 2
  • The Regime: Season 1
  • The Signal: Season 1
  • One Day: Season 1
  • Halo: Season 2
  • Supersex: Season 1
  • House of Ninjas: Season 1
  • Best TV Shows
  • Most Popular TV
  • TV & Streaming News
  • Prime Video

Certified fresh pick

  • Elsbeth: Season 1 Link to Elsbeth: Season 1
  • All-Time Lists
  • Binge Guide
  • Comics on TV
  • Five Favorite Films
  • Video Interviews
  • Weekend Box Office
  • Weekly Ketchup
  • What to Watch

All 96 Best Picture Winners, Ranked by Tomatometer

Box Office 2024: Top 10 Movies of the Year

Women’s History

Awards Tour

Biggest Moments of 2024 Oscars

Oscar Winners 2024: The Complete List

  • Trending on RT
  • Play Movie Trivia
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Kung Fu Panda 4

Zarrar Reviews

No All Critics reviews for Zarrar.

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

  • Nashik Times
  • Aurangabad Times
  • Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

  • Edit Profile
  • Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Medithon Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

Akshay's Sky Force based on the Sargodha attack

Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force is based on the 1965 Pakistani Sargodha attack: Exclusive!

Salman posts birthday note for Saajan Singh

Salman Khan posts birthday note for Choreographer Saajan Singh, Latter reacts with gratitude

Tanvi on Nitin Desai's Oscar remembrance

Nitin Desai recognised in Oscars' 'In Memoriam' segment; daughter Tanvi says, "This stage has given him the international recognition he deserved” - Exclusive

5 fresh on-screen pairs to look forward to!

Kartik Aaryan-Triptii Dimrii, Ranveer Singh-Kiara Advani, Prabhas-Deepika Padukone: 5 fresh on-screen pairs to look forward to!

BTS V's love life explored in FRI(END)S video

BTS V's FRI(END)S flash video puts the spotlight on Kim Tae Hyung's love life

Madhu Chopra to attend Meera's wedding

Priyanka Chopra's mother Madhu Chopra, Anand Pandit, Jayantilal Gada and others to attend Meera Chopra's wedding in Rajasthan

Movie Reviews

Ooru Peru Bhairavakona

Ooru Peru Bhairavakona

Madame Web

Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay

Aakhir Palaayan Kab Tak..?

Aakhir Palaayan Kab Tak...

The Holdovers

The Holdovers

Siren

Singapore Saloon

Indian Police Force Season 1

Indian Police Force Sea...

  • Movie Listings

zarrar movie review

Helly Shah's stylish looks

zarrar movie review

Bhojpuri actress Sapna Chauhan's beautiful pics

zarrar movie review

Rakul Preet Singh sets the bar high for ethnic fashion in ivory embellished sharara set

zarrar movie review

Keerthy Suresh looks dapper in her latest photo shoot

zarrar movie review

Sargun Mehta - Ravi Dubey: 9 sweetest things said and gestures made by the couple

zarrar movie review

Janhvi Kapoor goes retro in a timeless red and white floral-printed drape

zarrar movie review

Paro Nair's dazzling pics you can't miss

zarrar movie review

Kiccha Sudeep's showcasing gym muscles, motivation, and mastery

zarrar movie review

Amruta Khanvilkar And Her Love For Sarees

zarrar movie review

​Samantha Ruth Prabhu's distinctive ethnic style grabs attention​

zarrar movie review

Tera Kya Hoga Lovely

zarrar movie review

Daket Of Dholpur

zarrar movie review

Prem Aur Ishq

zarrar movie review

Kusum Ka Biyaah

zarrar movie review

Laapataa Ladies

zarrar movie review

The Color Purple

zarrar movie review

All Of Us Strangers

zarrar movie review

May December

zarrar movie review

Dune: Part Two

zarrar movie review

A Game Of Two Halves

zarrar movie review

Land Of Bad

zarrar movie review

Bob Marley: One Love

zarrar movie review

Arimapatti Sakthivel

zarrar movie review

Sathamindri Mutham Tha...

zarrar movie review

Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha...

zarrar movie review

Operation Laila

zarrar movie review

Ranam Aram Thavarel

zarrar movie review

Vithaikkaaran

zarrar movie review

Double Ismart

zarrar movie review

Operation Valentine

zarrar movie review

Inti Number 13

zarrar movie review

Radhaa Madhavam

zarrar movie review

Masthu Shades Unnai Ra...

zarrar movie review

Thappinchuku Thiruguva...

zarrar movie review

Aanandhapuram Diaries

zarrar movie review

Manjummel Boys

zarrar movie review

Marivillin Gopurangal

zarrar movie review

Karataka Damanaka

zarrar movie review

Namo Bharath

zarrar movie review

Purushothamana Prasang...

zarrar movie review

Mr.Natwarlal

zarrar movie review

Kappu Bilupina Naduve

zarrar movie review

Bonbibi: Widows Of The...

zarrar movie review

Daroga Mamur Kirti

zarrar movie review

Sada Ronger Prithibi

zarrar movie review

Pariah Volume 1: Every...

zarrar movie review

Sedin Kuyasha Chilo

zarrar movie review

Sentimentaaal

zarrar movie review

Bijoyar Pore

zarrar movie review

Rabb Da Radio 3

zarrar movie review

Ni Main Sass Kuttni 2

zarrar movie review

Boo Main Dargi

zarrar movie review

Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na

zarrar movie review

Je Paisa Bolda Hunda

zarrar movie review

Gadar 1947: Ikk Vichho...

zarrar movie review

Jatti 15 Murrabean Wal...

zarrar movie review

Jee Ve Sohneya Jee

zarrar movie review

Oye Bhole Oye

zarrar movie review

Bhagirathi Missing

zarrar movie review

Hee Anokhi Gaath

zarrar movie review

Lagna Kallol

zarrar movie review

Man Yedyagat Zala

zarrar movie review

Aata Vel Zaali

zarrar movie review

Shivrayancha Chhava

zarrar movie review

Locha Copycha

zarrar movie review

Nirahua The Leader

zarrar movie review

Tu Nikla Chhupa Rustam...

zarrar movie review

Rowdy Rocky

zarrar movie review

Mental Aashiq

zarrar movie review

Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat...

zarrar movie review

Bol Radha Bol

zarrar movie review

Hamar Swabhiman

zarrar movie review

Jhopadpatti

zarrar movie review

Vanilla Ice Cream

zarrar movie review

Lagan Special

zarrar movie review

Prem Thaay Che Ekaj Va...

zarrar movie review

Ramat Ramade Romance

zarrar movie review

Ittaa Kittaa

zarrar movie review

Mara Pappa Superhero

zarrar movie review

Operation 12/17

zarrar movie review

Dui Dune Panch

zarrar movie review

Mo Kahanire Tori Naa

zarrar movie review

Kemiti E Sampark

zarrar movie review

Ashiq Surrender Hela

zarrar movie review

Shanti Appartment Flat...

Your rating, write a review (optional).

  • Movie Listings /

zarrar movie review

Would you like to review this movie?

zarrar movie review

Cast & Crew

zarrar movie review

Latest Reviews

Queen Of Tears

Queen Of Tears

The Gentlemen

The Gentlemen

Showtime

Maamla Legal Hai

The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth

The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Bu...

  • Who are the actors in 'Zarrar'? 'Zarrar' star cast includes Shaan Shahid, Nadeem Baig and Kiran Malik.
  • Who is the director of 'Zarrar'? 'Zarrar' is directed by Shaan Shahid.
  • What is Genre of 'Zarrar'? 'Zarrar' belongs to 'Action, Thriller' genre.
  • In Which Languages is 'Zarrar' releasing? 'Zarrar' is releasing in Urdu.

Visual Stories

zarrar movie review

Entertainment

Ten adorable pictures of Mamitha Baiju

zarrar movie review

Sanya Malhotra's black and silver floral dress takes center stage

zarrar movie review

Best-dressed celebrities at the Oscars Vanity Fair party

zarrar movie review

10 attractions in Nepal perfect for history buffs

zarrar movie review

How to make nourishing and weight loss friendly Chicken Stew

zarrar movie review

Three-lettered beautiful names for baby girls

zarrar movie review

10 lessons to learn from Japanese bestseller ‘The Courage to be Disliked’

zarrar movie review

Exploring the timeless elegance of Anupama Gowda

Upcoming Movies

Popular movie reviews.

Shaitaan

Article 370

Alpha Beta Gamma

Alpha Beta Gamma

Laapataa Ladies

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Ji...

Crakk: Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa

Crakk: Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa

Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay

PakistaniCinema.Net

The “Zarrar” Trailer Promises Action, Intrigue, and a Thrilling Story

by Yousuf Mehmood June 15, 2022, 5:01 PM 0 Comments

Shaan Shahid’s dream project “Zarrar” has been on the editing floor for years now. Today, the final trailer finally dropped and it looks to be well worth the hype.

The trailer has snapshots of thrilling and gory action, international espionage, and wide shots of beautiful locations. While it may not thrill as much as films like “Mission Impossible” or “John Wick”, it’s certainly the best that Pakistan has seen in a while for spy themed movies.

One part of the film I’m looking forward to is the main antagonist spy who’s been recruited by the British government to compromise Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and is played by Adnan Ahmed Butt. The actor, who is also the executive producer of the film, seems to be extremely well built and huge in stature. That’ll give Shaan a worthy antagonist to fight against.

Nayyer Ejaz and Nadeem Sahab’s roles seem very meaty and they may be the most interesting parts of the movie if they’re given great dialogue. The two are masters of their craft usually reduced to the roles of villains or fathers, respectively. However, “Zarrar” has a chance to give them a lot to chew on.

One gripe that I do have with the trailer is that a lot of the dialogue seems to be in English. This seems to be a pattern with a lot of Shaan’s films since the new wave. “Waar”, “Operation 021”, “Arth” and now “Zarrar”, seem to be filmed in English, at least in the majority. This may be to market to the international audience, but it may lose the native Urdu speaking audience.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ZarrarTheFilmOfficial (@zarrarofficial_)

“Zarrar” still doesn’t have a release date, but one hopes that with cinemas now fully opened, it will hit the silver screens in 2022.

Share this:

zarrar movie review

Written by Yousuf Mehmood

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Loading…

© 2018 - 2022 PakistaniCinema.net

zarrar movie review

Username or Email Address

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Privacy policy.

To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

Add to Collection

Public collection title

Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.

zarrar movie review

A Cultural Journal

zarrar movie review

Film Review: Zarrar, A Good Spy Thriller

zarrar movie review

Shaan Shahid and Kiran Malik in Zarrar

The screen opens with the newsreel of Pakistan President Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s visit to the USA in 1961. Seen here in an open car with President John F Kennedy, Pakistan was hailed as a great friend of America, until the visuals are cut to the attack on the World Trade Centre forty years later. After that Pakistan fell from grace of the Western world, especially the USA, because it was viewed as harboring and promoting terrorism. The movie then shows the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, when India’s hopes of acquiring influence in that country are dashed. This was just the beginning of actor/director Shaan Shahid’s ‘Zarrar’, where the Lollywood veteran tries to correct the wrong doings in his style.

zarrar movie review

A fight scene in Zarrar

When Shaan’s previous film Arth (2017) bombed at the box-office, the superstar had no option but to make an action flick regarding global politics. It may have been a favorite topic for Shaan’s father, the legendary filmmaker Riaz Shahid, who was a journalist before becoming a filmmaker, but it is not Shaan’s cup of tea. Riaz Shahid created a wandering character named ‘Lawrence’ in Shaheed (January 1962), who wanted to divide Pakistan. This happened well before Peter O’ Toole appeared as T.E. Lawrence in the ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (December 1962). Riaz Shahid also highlighted the Palestinian movement with his diamond jubilee film Zarqa (1969). Shaan chose a topic concerning the world we live in, where Pakistan is under siege by enemies both from within and without.

zarrar movie review

Shafqat Cheema, a RAW agent disguised as a Moulvi in Zarrar

Shaan plays the title role of Zarrar, who works for an organization of the same name (no idea why). He happened to be a soldier but somehow turned rogue and can kill anyone who comes in his way and his country. Legendary actor Nadeem as retired Colonel Mustajab, who helps Shaan’s character at each step. It reminds one of Richard Crenna’s character of Colonel Samuel Trautman from the Rambo movies. The colonel is a father figure to Sylvester Stallone’s John Rambo, and knows exactly what he is capable of doing. Model-turned-actor Kiran Malik plays the love interest of Zarrar, and starts off as a corrupt news anchor. She is doing paid shows on her television channel without any regard for her father’s reputation, who was an honest journalist and a writer. Zarrar's influence on her makes her somewhat less amoral for she begins to have a love interest in the hero. The movie was supposed to be her debut, but the release of the family drama ‘Pinky Memsaab' a few years earlier made her famous.

zarrar movie review

Nayyar Ejaz as Salman Shah, a corrupt politician and Kiran Malik as a journalist

The film has a variety of villains; the media, the clerics, the agencies, the politicians and the ‘Bairooni Saazish’ (foreign conspiracies). In the long list of bad guys, the regular villains of Lollywood, Nayyar Ejaz and Shafqat Cheema, also feature. The terrifying duo was last seen together in Maula Jutt earlier this year, and they play similar characters here. Nayyar Ejaz is shown as a corrupt politician Salman Shah, working to destabilize Pakistan, while Shafqat Cheema as Ravinder Kaushik, who is a RAW agent disguised as a Moulvi (religious cleric). Producer Adnan Butt is cast as the deadly Mahavir Singh Rajpoot from RAW, while the late Rasheed Naz, who died earlier this year, was Fahimullah Khan, the ‘Bad Guy from Afghanistan’. There are few ‘goray’ (Englishmen) in the film who, along with their entire teams, were destroyed by the ‘Man from Pakistan’, Zarrar.

A globetrotting spy-thriller, the movie was shot by Timothy Fathom Wood in Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom way back in 2016. The background music has been done by Thomas Farnon. The songs were good, especially the one with the vocals of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Similarly, the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) used to show the multi-touch interfaces were good for Pakistani audience, along with the well-choreographed action scenes and patriotic dose of dialogues.

zarrar movie review

Shan and Kiran in Zarrar

In an age when movies mostly define the narrative of a nation, ‘Zarrar’ highlights the importance of hybrid warfare, identifies the conspiracies to weaken Pakistan and unravels the threat attached to the country’s nuclear arsenal. Zarrar was on its way to emulate a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, but the pandemic did it in. The final product has several scenes which drag. Zarrar falls short of making it big like Bilal Lashari’s Waar , due to some production errors: badly synced scenes, over usage of dialogues in English, frequent fade to black and excessive use of fake blood, kept the audience away from the cinematic experience they paid at least 1000 rupees for.

zarrar movie review

Shaan with the crew on sets of Zarrar

You may also like:

zarrar movie review

Jaamun Ka Darakht: Short of a Miracle

(March 11, 2024)

zarrar movie review

The 5th Women's Conference: A Beacon of Empowerment and Unity

(March 08, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Muhammad Rizwan: The Heart and Soul of Pakistan Cricket Team

(March 07, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Boissum Pass Trek

(March 06, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Khyber: A Route on the Crossroads of History

(March 05, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Art Review: The 'Mathematics of Composing Pretenses'

(March 04, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Food Review: Imperial Ming Chinese Food Cart

(March 01, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Film Review: Taxali Gate

(February 29, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Aawara: An Art Exhibition with a Heart at Dahlia, Islamabad

(February 28, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Pagal Khana: Mental or Masterful?

(February 27, 2024)

zarrar movie review

Editorial: The Banning of Palestine Flags at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Cricketing Events

zarrar movie review

70 Years of Pakistan Series

A message from ambassador nong rong on the occasion of the chinese new year.

As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan January 2021

    Art

    film,     theatre,     music,     food,     sports,     travel,     architecture & heritage,     philanthropy,     tv drama,     comedy,     literature,     festival,     environment,     history,     campus diary,     pak-china friendship,     social initiative.

Most Popular

zarrar movie review

Sign up free for weekly newsletter

Editorial: Why the Quaid e Azam has been vindicated!

Youlin magazine.

  • Picture Gallery
  • Video Gallery

City Events

  • Islamabad Events
  • Lahore Events
  • Karachi Events
  • Movies' Showtimes
  • Film Reviews
  • Art Reviews
  • Food Reviews
  • Film and Theatre
  • Food and Restaurants
  • Travelogues
  • Architecture and Heritage
  • Philanthropy
  • Giving Back
  • Environment
  • Travel in China
  • Hum Naujawan
  • Women's Success Stories
  • The Quaid Series
  • 中文 (Chinese)

Copyright © 2012-2024 All rights reserved by Youlin Magazine

www.youlinmagazine.com

Youlin Magazine Facebook

an image, when javascript is unavailable

Zarrar Kahn Talks XYZ’s Cannes Pakistani-Canadian Horror Title ‘In Flames’ – First Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

By Naman Ramachandran

Naman Ramachandran

  • Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Jyotika Film ‘Shaitaan’ Scores Hefty Box Office Opening 6 hours ago
  • ‘The Taste of Things,’ ‘Exhuma’ to Bookend Debut Edition of India’s Cinevesture Film Festival 6 hours ago
  • Annecy-Backed HAF Work-in-Progress Animated Film ‘Heirloom’ Examines the Dark Side of Nostalgia While Celebrating Indian Textiles 12 hours ago

In Flames

XYZ Films  has unveiled the first clip from Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection  “ In Flames ,” a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn .

The film, produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, is part of XYZ’s New Visions slate . As revealed by  Variety , XYZ had boarded the title last year.

In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them .

Kahn, who is now based in Canada, was born in and grew up in Karachi. “In Flames,” which is Kahn’s feature debut grew out of “Dia,” a 24-minute 2018 short, which in turn was based on his eight-minute short “Pak.”

“It was supposed to be a drama about a young woman and her secret boyfriend. And then it ended up becoming a thriller,” Kahn told Variety . “Dia” premiered at Locarno, where Kahn was pleased with the response to it and wanted to revisit the themes in it.

“The themes were becoming also more relevant to what is happening in Pakistan at this time, around the conversation of women’s rights, property rights – a lot of these time optics are really in flux and in conflict right now, and those themes were also becoming more violent. So, it was really feeling not only is this the film that I could make, this is also the film that needs to be made,” Kahn said.

“I was starting to feel a greater sense of urgency that we need to get this film out there also because I felt like the movement and what was happening in Pakistan needed a film that not only spoke to the challenges faced, but also spoke about overcoming those challenges,” Kahn added.

“In Flames” strikes a blow against patriarchy. The film’s producer Anam Abbas is one of the founders of women’s rights movement Women’s March in Pakistan. Kahn feels that the film will provide activists the ammunition to continue moving forward, adding that the conversation around women’s rights is not restricted to just Pakistan or South Asia.

“A visceral reaction is what attracts me to cinema. It’s what attracts me to horror. I want the film to be seen in cinemas. There’s something about that shared experience of coming out of this journey of the characters of Mariam [Ramesha Nawal] and Fariha [Bakhtawar Mazhar], who go through so much in this film, and experiencing it with them in that communal space. And then leaving the theater and carrying that story with you.”

“In Flames” is part of a revival of sorts for cinema from Pakistan. “Joyland” was at Cannes last year, and “The Legend of Maula Jatt” earned worldwide success to become Pakistan’s biggest box office hit of all time. Kahn says that the Pakistani industry needs to become sustainable.

“That’s always been a challenge, where we don’t have a film organization, there’s no legislation for that. There’s no film body, we have censor bodies across every province in Pakistan that are pretty well-funded. But we don’t have a body that’s committed to the promotion or creation or curation of cinema. So, work needs to be done,” Kahn said. Kahn is all praise for filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal’s Qalambaz mentoring program for emerging talent.

Kahn himself is involved with Canada’s POV Films, a non-profit organization that works to help youth from marginalized communities break into the screen industries. It is a six-month condensed film school, where Kahn teaches.

Alongside British-Canadian producer Mina Hussain, Kahn is a producer on “An Act of Lamentation,” a short by Mohammed Ali Hashmi and is involved in a project by a female Pakistani filmmaker who has directed a few shorts, which is under wraps at the moment. As a director, he is working on a film about the climate floods in Karachi.

“In Flames” premieres May 19.

Watch the clip here:

More From Our Brands

Chung ha shares the next step in her evolution, exclusive: a first look inside the six senses residences grand bahama, wrexham lands ally financial as sponsor for u.s. summer tour, the best mattress protectors, according to sleep experts, lori loughlin lampoons her college admissions scandal on curb your enthusiasm, verify it's you, please log in.

Quantcast

Zarrar showtimes

Urdu language thriller about a renegade secret agent, who is dedicated to achieving the end of corruption and terrorism in Pakistan.

'Zarrar' showtimes in London

Important Notice about Showtimes

After six years on the cinema scene, we’re sad to announce that WeLoveCinema will stop delivering showtimes and cease updating from Friday 4 August, 2023.

This wasn’t an easy decision, but we’re incredibly proud of what we achieved in that time, and are grateful for the experiences and opportunities that came our way.

Where to watch online

We’ve hand-picked a selection of ways to stream online., zarrar movie details, uk release date, you might also like....

The Innocent review – 60s-inspired heist movie with an existential twist

The Innocent review – 60s-inspired heist movie with an existential twist

In his fourth feature film, writer-director Louis Garrel explores with wit and tenderness the risk and worth of second chances

Baato review – Nepal’s past and future collide in an immersive, fraught documentary

Baato review – Nepal’s past and future collide in an immersive, fraught documentary

A mountain trek intertwines with a road-building project, granting incisive, if underpowered, insight into a much underseen world

The Beanie Bubble review – a grim new low for the “corporate biopic” genre

The Beanie Bubble review – a grim new low for the “corporate biopic” genre

With none of the saving graces of Tetris, Air, or Barbie, this ambition-free look at the Beanie Baby craze is pure mediocrity

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

Celine Deveaux's French-Portuguese debut can be too quirky for its own good, but a fantastically written lead character keeps it afloat

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

Repertory Rundown: What to Watch in London This Week, From Little Women to Sergio Leone

From classics to cult favourites, our team highlight some of the best one-off screenings and re-releases showing this week in the capital

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

Repertory Rundown: What to Watch in London This Week, From Coppola to Cross of Iron

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

20 Best Films of 2023 (So Far)

With the year at the halfway point, our writers choose their favourite films, from daring documentaries to box office bombs

Everybody Loves Jeanne review – thoroughly modern fable of grief, romantic confusion, and climate anxiety

Repertory Rundown: What to Watch in London This Week, From Mistress America to The Man Who Wasn’t There

with discount code:

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘azrael’ review: samara weaving in a high-concept horror flick that’s frighteningly familiar.

The 'Ready or Not' star plays a girl on the run from flesh-eating monsters in a wordless genre offering from director E.L. Katz and writer Simon Barrett.

By Jordan Mintzer

Jordan Mintzer

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Flipboard
  • Share this article on Email
  • Show additional share options
  • Share this article on Linkedin
  • Share this article on Pinit
  • Share this article on Reddit
  • Share this article on Tumblr
  • Share this article on Whatsapp
  • Share this article on Print
  • Share this article on Comment

Azrael

Take ingredients from successful post-apocalyptic narratives like The Last of Us and A Quiet Place , toss them into a cauldron, add some vague references to Satan, pour in several buckets of blood, boil at a high temperature while stirring frequently, and you’ll wind up with a strange brew that tastes like the new high-concept horror flick, Azrael .

Related Stories

'we can be heroes' review: a big-hearted celebration of larp-ing teens, 'y2k' review: rachel zegler in a sci-fi comedy that offers lots of '90s nostalgia, but not much else.

Directed by E.L. Katz ( Small Crimes ) from a script by Simon Barrett ( You’re Next ), two vets of the horror game, the film checks all the requisite boxes — a beautiful heroine on the run, flesh-eating zombies (or zombie-like creatures), twisted Biblical symbolism, multiple decapitations — without necessarily bringing anything new to the table. The movie’s one major innovation, which is that none of the characters speak, has already been a staple of the genre for years, with franchises like A Quiet Place and Don’t Breathe exploiting the concept to the max.

That doesn’t mean Azrael isn’t fun to watch at times, especially if you like your horror movies to be gory, muddy and devoid of any deeper meaning. Katz and Barrett know how to deliver nonstop action: Their film hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for a compact 85 minutes marked by a few standout set pieces, especially a nighttime ride in a jeep that quickly goes south. But without much of a story, and with characters of zero-to-little substance, the bloodshed becomes tedious before we even get to the big final twist.

Trying to stay alive amid all the mayhem is the titular heroine, Azrael ( Samara Weaving ), whom we first meet frolicking with a sort of boyfriend (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) in the woods. They’re immediately hunted down by a pack of monk-like henchmen who tie the girl up and try to sacrifice her to one of the forest’s hemoglobin-drinking monsters.

But Azrael manages to escape — which she does in nearly every scene — making her way to a small community that lives in Mad Max -style abandon among barbed wire and rusted old automobiles (they also somehow have access to rechargeable LED lanterns). Those folks are all out to get Azrael as well, prompting the poor girl to keep escaping until she can escape no more.

Since nobody ever mutters a word (except for one sequence where a guy suddenly speaks Esperanto) you never learn much about Azrael or anyone else, which means you don’t necessarily care when the zombies occasionally rip their heads off and suck the blood out of them, like they’re gulping down Slurpees. Silence is both the film’s main asset and its principal limitation, creating moments of suspense but also leaving us in the dark, to the point that it feels more like a gimmick than anything substantial.

Weaving gives an intense and taxing physical performance that requires her to run around a lot, or else to scream her lungs out without making any noise whatsoever. It looks totally exhausting, and by the time the movie ends and Azrael finally comes into her own, we’re pretty exhausted as well.

Full credits

Thr newsletters.

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Jonathan glazer’s oscar speech becomes latest battleground in israel-gaza conflict, oscars: takashi yamazaki discusses similarities between ‘godzilla minus one’ and ‘oppenheimer’, filmart: alibaba set to inject $640m into hong kong entertainment industry, filmart: composer eiko ishibashi on ‘evil does not exist’ and how punk rock remains in her heart, china box office: ‘dune: part two’ makes solid $20m start, oscars: eight things the tv cameras missed.

Quantcast

Azrael Review

Samara weaving fights for her life in an inventive and exciting blend of folk and survival horror..

Azrael Review - IGN Image

Republic Pictures will release Azrael at a date TBD. This review is based on a screening at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

Samara Weaving has a face for the silents. Her wide, expressive eyes and mouth can say as much as pages full of dialogue, which makes her the ideal star for Azrael. Directed by E.L. Katz – a horror specialist whose resume includes episodes of Channel Zero and The Haunting of Bly Manor as well as the 2013 feature Cheap Thrills – and penned by You’re Next and The Guest screenwriter Simon Barrett, this inventive and exciting action/horror hybrid is a silent film in spirit, if not in letter.

There’s very little dialogue, and what we do get is not in English. (No subtitles either, sorry.) The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic reality a few degrees off from our own, where the Rapture has already happened and, as an opening title card reads, “among the survivors, some are driven to renounce their sin of Speech.” Azrael (Weaving) is one of those survivors, a member of a religious sect living deep in the woods who cut out their vocal cords so they cannot break their vow of silence.

The 25 Best Horror Movies

Read on for IGN's picks for the top 25 horror movies ever!

But the cult has betrayed Azrael and her companion Kenan (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), casting them out and offering them as sacrifices to the terrifying “Burned Men” who lurk in the forest just outside their settlement. The creatures look like charred aliens and move like hungry zombies, and it’s not clear at first what they are, where they come from, or what attracts them. (Some, but not all, of these questions will be answered before the credits roll.) What is clear is that they’re very dangerous – scenes where a Burned Man catches up to a regular one unfold in quick, violent cuts, revealing shots of bloody prosthetics being torn apart by inhuman teeth.

No spoilers, but Azrael manages to escape. From there, Weaving takes off running, establishing a forward momentum that won’t stop until the final scene. She remains in motion for the remainder of the film, the rest of her body now as animated as her face was in all those first-act close-ups. She returns to the camp in search of revenge, prompting a back-and-forth that will see Azrael fighting against multiple attempts on her life.

What's Samara Weaving's best movie?

From there, Azrael is one thrilling action sequence after another. Highlights include Weaving swinging by her ankle while hanging upside down from a tree, crawling through a subterranean tunnel while being pursued by a Burned Man, and spitting blood after ripping a foe’s throat out with her teeth. There’s gasping and grunting, but no yelling; at one point, a cult member screams with rage, but only a wheeze comes out. The score, from Joker arranger Tóti Guðnason, adds tension without drowning out the sound effects: Without dialogue, the sounds of wind in the trees and knives whooshing through the air become especially noticeable.

Barrett’s screenplays excel at synthesizing genre elements into something new and fresh. There are moments in Azrael that evoke films like The Village , It Follows , A Quiet Place (whose own hushed end times seem like a copout compared to this premise), Kill Bill: Volume 2 , and Mad Max: Fury Road , all with a fire-and-brimstone twist. Combined with Katz’s kinetic direction and Weaving’s boundless energy – between this and Ready or Not, the poor woman’s been through a lot – it’s a winning formula.

A certain amount of faith is necessary to engage with Azrael. The script doles out details about our heroine and her world slowly, in context, and some mysteries linger as the end credits roll. It assumes that you’re smart enough to put the pieces together on your own, which will drive YouTube pedants insane. (Oh well.) This is a story that’s driven by blind instinct, propelling forward with the same singular mindset as its protagonist: Keep moving, or die.

Samara Weaving stars as a mute outcast of a post-apocalyptic sect in Azrael, an inventive blend of folk and survival horror from screenwriter Simon Barrett (You’re Next) and director E.L. Katz (Cheap Thrills). The film leaves much of its lore mysterious, concentrating instead on forward momentum and thrilling, bloody action scenes. Weaving’s expressive face and boundless energy make her a compelling heroine, and her will to survive is unstoppable.

In This Article

Azrael

More Reviews by Katie Rife

Ign recommends.

Ex-PlayStation Boss Shawn Layden Says ‘Exclusivity Is Your Achilles’ Heel’ if Game Costs Exceed $200 Million

'The Zone of Interest' director condemns war in Gaza as he accepts Oscar for best international film

LOS ANGELES — The harrowing Holocaust drama “ The Zone of Interest ,” which explores questions of complicity while depicting the mundane lives of a Nazi family in their home adjacent to the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best international film.

“Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst,” writer-director Jonathan Glazer said. “Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel, or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims, this humanization, how do we resist?”

Glazer’s reference to Israel’s war in Gaza came after pro-Palestinian protesters snarled traffic around the Dolby Theatre as the Oscars kicked off.

In her review , The Associated Press’ Jocelyn Noveck wrote that Glazer “has found a way to convey the evil of Nazism without ever depicting the horror itself. But though it escapes our eyes, the horror assaults our senses in other, deeper ways.”

Glazer said he hopes the film will draw attention to current conflicts in the world. “All our choices are made to reflect and confront us in the present. Not to say, ‘Look what they did then,’ rather ‘look what we do now,” he said.

Sandra Hüller, one of the film’s stars, wept as Glazer’s hands shook while reading his acceptance speech.

Hüller plays Hedwig, the wife of Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), the bloodthirsty commandant of Auschwitz. The film was the United Kingdom’s submission to the Oscars.

In the film, the couple and their children go about their daily routines — living in a home just on the other side of a stone wall from the gas chambers. Höss spends his work days overseeing the “processing” of trainloads of people, most sent directly to their deaths. Then he comes home, where he and Hedwig share meals, celebrate birthdays, read their kids bedtime stories and make vacation plans.

Glazer adapted the screenplay loosely from the 2014 Martin Amis novel of the same name, but chose to depict the real-life commandant. Aiming for a chilling meticulousness, the director pieced together the Höss family history and built the set for their home some 200 yards (183 meters) from where the real one once stood.

“The Zone of Interest” was also up for best picture, which made it the favorite to win in the international category. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best sound, which it won; best director, which Christopher Nolan received for best picture winner “Oppenheimer;” and adapted screenplay, which went to Cord Jefferson for “American Fiction.” Hüller was nominated for best actress for “Anatomy of a Fall,” but the award went to Emma Stone for “Poor Things. ”

Last year the winner of best international picture was “ All Quiet on the Western Front ,” a German-language film set in World War I.

Also nominated for best international feature were “Society of the Snow” (Spain), “The Teachers’ Lounge” (Germany), “Io Capitano” (Italy) and “Perfect Days” (Japan).

For more coverage of the 2024 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards

zarrar movie review

IMAGES

  1. Zarrar Movie Review

    zarrar movie review

  2. Zarrar Movie Review

    zarrar movie review

  3. Zarrar

    zarrar movie review

  4. Shaan's Zarrar Is An Exciting Movie To Come In 2020, Trailer Released

    zarrar movie review

  5. Zarrar Movie 2022

    zarrar movie review

  6. Zarrar's first trailer is out with a bang!

    zarrar movie review

COMMENTS

  1. Zarrar (2022)

    Zarrar: Directed by Shaan Shahid. With Shaan Shahid, Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig, Adnan Butt. Zarrar is a secret agent gone rogue. He is on a mission to end corruption, aiming to solve the seemingly endless cycle of threats against his homeland of Pakistan.

  2. Film Review: Zarrar, A Good Spy Thriller

    Film Review: Zarrar, A Good Spy Thriller. The screen opens with the newsreel of Pakistan President Field Marshal Ayub Khan's visit to the USA in 1961. Seen here in an open car with President John F Kennedy, Pakistan was hailed as a great friend of America, until the visuals are cut to the attack on the World Trade Centre forty years later ...

  3. Zarrar (2022)

    Zarrar is a secret agent gone rogue. He is on a mission to end corruption, aiming to solve the seemingly endless cycle of threats against his homeland of Pakistan. ... Film Movie Reviews Zarrar ...

  4. Zarrar (2022)

    The #Zarrar is Pure cinematic and seat catching movie. Outstanding performance of leads soecially #ShaanShahid as #Zarrar and #AdnanButt as #MahvirSingh both do full action sequences. Background Music quality awesome outclass Tim the musician of the film did a great JoB. The Romantic scenes should not be there.

  5. Zarrar

    Secret agent Zarrar goes rogue after discovering a nefarious international operation plans to dismantle the Pakistani government and gain control of its nuclear weapons program. He must act ...

  6. Zarrar

    Zarrar is a 2022 Pakistani spy action thriller film written and directed by Shaan Shahid and produced by Ejaz Shahid and Adnan Butt under the banner of Jehan Films. ... The film has received mixed to negative reviews. Plot. A secret agent named, Zarrar (Shahid) has gone rogue after his homeland, Pakistan has been plunged with corruption when he ...

  7. Zarrar

    Zarrar is a 2022 Pakistani spy action thriller film written and directed by Shaan Shahid and produced by Ejaz Shahid and Adnan Butt under the banner of Jehan Films. It stars Shaan Shahid as the titular character along with Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig, Nayyer Ejaz and Shafqat Cheema in supporting roles.

  8. Zarrar

    Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets. ... Zarrar Reviews

  9. Zarrar

    'Zarrar' The rogue spy is on a mission to end all threats to his motherland. On his journey he uncovers all the lies that are being told to the people of Pak...

  10. Zarrar (2022) Movie Reviews

    $5 off Expendables 4-film collection on Vudu with EXPEND4BLES ticket purchase on Fandango; ... Zarrar (2022) Critic Reviews and Ratings Powered by Rotten Tomatoes. Close Audience Score. The percentage of users who made a verified movie ticket purchase and rated this 3.5 stars or higher. Learn more. Review Submitted. GOT IT ...

  11. Zarrar Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos

    Zarrar Movie Review & Showtimes: Find details of Zarrar along with its showtimes, movie review, trailer, teaser, full video songs, showtimes and cast. Shaan Shahid, Nadeem Baig,Kiran Malik are ...

  12. "Zarrar" (Movie Review): A Case of Too Little Too Late

    The film's exploration of things like hybrid warfare, terrorism, journalistic ethics, corruption, etc. is all surface level. Even when the legendary Nadeem Sahab, who plays a retired ISI Colonel, is talking about suicide bombers while assembling a gun, you never feel the weight of his dialogue.

  13. Zarrar Review By Film Critic Rabia Hassan

    Film Critic Rabia Hassan review Shaan's movie Zarrar.#shaan #kiranmalik #ejazshahid #adnanbutt #shaanshahid #zarrar #entertainmentpakistan #epk #epkdaily #ep...

  14. 'ZARRAR' OFFICIAL TRAILER 2

    IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 25th 2022'Zarrar' The rogue spy is on a mission to end all threats to his motherland. On his journey he uncovers all the lies that are be...

  15. The "Zarrar" Trailer Promises Action, Intrigue, and a Thrilling Story

    Shaan Shahid's dream project "Zarrar" has been on the editing floor for years now. Today, the final trailer finally dropped and it looks to be well worth the hype. The trailer has snapshots of thrilling and gory action, international espionage, and wide shots of beautiful locations. While it may not thrill as much as films like "Mission ...

  16. Film Review: Zarrar, A Good Spy Thriller

    This was just the beginning of actor/director Shaan Shahid's 'Zarrar', where the Lollywood veteran tries to correct the wrong doings in his style. A fight scene in Zarrar When Shaan's previous film Arth (2017) bombed at the box-office, the superstar had no option but to make an action flick regarding global politics.

  17. 'In Flames' Review: A Pakistani Drama of Patriarchy and Ghosts

    In Zarrar Kahn's eerie debut feature In Flames, the oppressive obstacles of the patriarchy are rendered as a ghost story.White-eyed apparitions haunt corners of rooms; uncanny sounds, resembling ...

  18. Zarrar

    Is Zarrar (2022) streaming on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, or 50+ other streaming services? Find out where you can buy, rent, or subscribe to a streaming service to watch it live or on-demand. Find the cheapest option or how to watch with a free trial.

  19. Zarrar Kahn on XYZ's Cannes Pakistani-Canadian Horror 'In Flames'

    XYZ Films has unveiled the first clip from Cannes Directors' Fortnight selection " In Flames ," a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn. The film, produced by Anam Abbas and ...

  20. ZARRAR Official Trailer 2020

    Let's celebrate Pakistan Day and save this country in these stressful times. As responsible citizens, we bring you the trailer of the most entertaining, most...

  21. Zarrar showtimes in London

    Zarrar movie - Zarrar showtimes in London across the capital with WeLoveCinema. All Zarrar movie information and reviews ... The Innocent review - 60s-inspired heist movie with an existential twist. In his fourth feature film, writer-director Louis Garrel explores with wit and tenderness the risk and worth of second chances .

  22. 'Azrael' Review: Samara Weaving in a High-Concept Horror Flick

    Cast: Samara Weaving, Vic Carmen Sonne, Katariina Unt, Nathan Stewart-Jarret, Sebastian Bull Sarning. Director: E.L. Katz. Screenwriter: Simon Barrett. Rated R, 1 hour 25 minutes. Directed by E.L ...

  23. 'Azrael' review: Samara Weaving, a silent gimmick, and lots of gore

    Samara Weaving shares her binge list. 'V/H/S85' uses this obscure song to give you nightmares. This silent premise rob audience's of Weaving's sharp comedic timing and her undeniable charm as a ...

  24. Azrael Review

    Republic Pictures will release Azrael at a date TBD. This review is based on a screening at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. Samara Weaving has a face for the silents. Her wide, expressive eyes and ...

  25. Zarrar (2022) Movie Review

    A secret agent named, Zarrar (Shaan) has gone rouge after his homeland, Pakistan has been plunged with corruption when he finds out that a secret internation...

  26. 'The Zone of Interest' wins Oscar award for best international film

    The harrowing Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest," which explores questions of complicity while depicting the mundane lives of a Nazi family in their home adjacent to the Auschwitz death ...