March 17, 2025
By Jenifer Ali
Staff Writer
With stunning visuals and a compelling plot, “The Sand Castle” is an emotional and gripping psychological thriller that captivates audiences with its character development and intense storytelling.
The Arabic-language film follows a Middle Eastern family stranded on a mysterious island in the Mediterranean Sea off the coasts of Greece and Türkiye after a shipwreck. The parents, Yasmine (Nadine Labakai) and Nabil (Ziad Bakri), along with their children Adam (Zain AI Rafeea) and Jana (Riman Al Rafeea), must navigate emotional and physical struggles as they fight to survive.
The family’s bond is tested, but their love for each other keeps them going.
The film enthralls viewers by delving into the challenges each family member faces.
Adam, who is in his early 20s, steps up to find food for his family. Adam’s character development is one of the most emotional aspects of the film. Although he seems timid at first, he takes on the responsibility of helping his family survive. It is sad but inspiring to watch him mature so quickly for the sake of his loved ones.
Meanwhile, Jana, a teenager, uses her imagination to escape their harsh reality on the island, creating a fantasy world through sandcastles she imagines.
Nabil struggles with an injury that limits his ability to protect his loved ones, and Yasmine tries to stay strong despite battling hallucinations. As her hallucinations worsen, it becomes hard to determine what is real, which adds an interesting dimension to the movie.
As the film progresses, the roles of parent and child are altered. The family’s bond is tested, but their love for each other keeps them going.
In addition to its entrancing plot, the movie’s cinematography is outstanding. The camerawork is striking, revealing the island as stunning yet lonely. Jana’s dream world, with all her sandcastles, is shown through beautiful shots that contrast with the harsh reality the family is facing.
By the end, their survival is at stake. With Nabil getting weaker and Yasmine struggling mentally, Adam has to make a major decision. The movie’s ending leaves viewers wondering about the family’s fate and the symbolic meaning of the island.
Addressing mental health and individual responsibility, “The Sand Castle” is an emotional and powerful film. On the surface, it is about survival, but as viewers dig deeper, they will find enduring themes relating to family, hope and imagination.
