// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Roqia say to her friend? "You're a novel companion
| Roqia | |
|---|---|
 Algerian promotional poster | |
| Arabic | رقية |
| Directed by | Yanis Koussim |
| Written by | Yanis Koussim |
| Produced by | Farès Ladjimi |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jean-Marie Delorme |
| Edited by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Arabic |
Roqia (Arabic: رقية) is a 2025 psychological-thriller film written and directed by Yanis Koussim.[1] A co-production of France, Algeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, it stars Ali Namous, Akram Djeghim, Mostefa Djadjam, Hanaa Mansour, and Lydia Hanni.
The film had its world premiere in the International Critics’ Week section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 1 September 2025. It was also selected as the Algerian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.[2]
Cast
[edit]- Ali Namous
- Akram Djeghim
- Mostefa Djadjam as Raqi
- Hanaa Mansour
- Lydia Hanni
- Abdelkrim Derradji as Abdelkrim
Release
[edit]On July 23, 2025, Roqia was acquired by the French company Alpha Violet for global distribution.[3] In December 2025, the US distribution rights were acquired by Watermelon Pictures.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]Middle East Eye named Roqia "possibly the most effective Arab horror this century."[5]
Screen Daily lauded Koussim's ability to turn the real, dark history of the Algerian Civil War into a classic possession story.[6]
AwardsWatch gave the film a B, concluding that "Roqia draws parallels between exorcism and radicalization in sometimes brilliant, sometimes clunky ways."[7] Ioncinema gave it three out of five stars, finding it "successful in its narrative scope" albeit a little predictable.[8]
Dread Central appreciated how Koussim used possession "to explore the aftereffects of seemingly never-ending cycles of violence" rather than approach "the usual good versus evil conversation that leans towards religious propaganda."[9]
Cineuropa found that the film successfully employed the "classic ingredients of horror cinema" to "shed light on the vampires of fundamentalism... which must be remembered at all costs to prevent their return."[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Ntim, Zac (2025-08-28). "'Roqia:' Algerian Horror Flick From Yanis Koussim Debuts This Week In Venice — Teaser". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ "فيلم "رقية" يمثل الجزائر في سباق الأوسكار". El Khabar (in Arabic). 22 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Barraclough, Leo (2025-07-23). "Venice-Bound Algerian Horror Film 'Roqia' Acquired by Alpha Violet (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ "Red Sea Competition psychological thriller 'Roqia' sells to US". Screen. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ "From Roqia to Coyotes: The movies to watch out for this winter". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Baughan, Nikki. "'Roqia' review: Atmospheric Algerian debut filters civil war through a genre lens". Screen. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ "AwardsWatch - 'Roqia' Review: [B] Venice". AwardsWatch. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Bell, Nicholas (2025-09-01). "Roqia | 2025 Venice Film Festival Review". IONCINEMA.com. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Bohannon, Sharai (2025-09-08). "'Roqia' Review: A Crucial Exorcism Movie [Venice Film Festival 2025]". Dread Central. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ "Review: Roqia". Cineuropa. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-12-23.