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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
For Sama
MOVIHERO READ
Patiently paced documentary that takes its time. Best if a firsthand documentary from a civilian filmmaker.
8.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her. Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible choice– whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much.
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8.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTA love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls i…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for For Sama.
MoviHero lists July 26, 2019 as the release date for For Sama. Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts are the listed directors. The listed cast includes Sama Al-Khateab as Self, Hamza Al-Khateab as Self, Waad al-Kateab as Self. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateJuly 26, 2019
GenresWar · Documentary
Runtime1h 40m
DirectorsWaad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
CastSama Al-Khateab as Self, Hamza Al-Khateab as Self, Waad al-Kateab as Self
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is For Sama right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
For Sama runs 1h 40m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 4/10: a more patient pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with For Sama. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 8.2/10 from 323 votes. Updated Nov 12, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO EDITORIAL
Should you watch For Sama?
For Sama is Waad al-Kateab’s record of love, motherhood, and survival during the war in Aleppo. It combines intimate family footage with the danger surrounding the hospital and city where she lives.
WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU
01For Sama is Waad al-Kateab’s record of love, motherhood, and survival during the war in Aleppo
02a firsthand documentary from a civilian filmmaker
03a personal account of family life during Syria’s war
QUICK DECISION GUIDE
Know the watch before you press play.
A fast read on the experience, then the reasons this movie may or may not fit your night.
01Pacing4/10
02Emotional Impact7/10
03Mind-Bending2/10
04Scary1/10
05Violence7/10
06Rewatchability6/10
PERFECT IF
01a firsthand documentary from a civilian filmmaker
02a personal account of family life during Syria’s war
THINK TWICE IF
01you are avoiding real footage of injury and death
02you want a fictional drama
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
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OPTION 2
Other ways to watch For Sama
No confirmed U.S. free, subscription, rental, or purchase option is currently reported.
United States
Not currently available in the United States
No confirmed U.S. streaming, rental, or purchase option yet
WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing4/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence7/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about For Sama
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“There’s an anachronistic normality running through this documentary as we follow the young Waad Al-Kateab as she finds happiness, love and bears a child all…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
PART OF A WATCH JOURNEY
Where For Sama fits.
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