Reem Al-Habib
Overview
When an office worker becomes powerfully infatuated with his beautiful intern, he follows her to a desert resort overrun with bizarre forces.
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Desert as a Mirror: How The Matchmaker Weaponizes Silence
I’ve always thought the best thrillers don’t just scare you—they make you complicit. The Matchmaker, Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan’s 2023 Saudi psychological thriller, understands this. It doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore; instead, it burrows into your discomfort like a splinter, using the vast, indifferent desert as both setting and accomplice. The film follows Tarek (Husam AlHarthi), a married IT worker who becomes obsessed with his intern, Salma (Nour Alkhadra), and follows her to a remote desert resort where reality begins to warp.
What unfolds isn’t just a story about infatuation or revenge, but a slow unraveling of a man’s psyche, framed by the suffocating weight of patriarchal expectations.
The film opens with a folk-tale prologue, a choice that immediately signals its allegorical ambitions. A woman’s voice warns of a matchmaker who punishes men for their arrogance, setting the stage for what Roger Moore of Movie Nation called "an inverted Handmaid’s Tale, warning the patriarchy about a mythical reckoning to come from the oppressed women in their lives" [8]. It’s a bold comparison, and one that raises the stakes for the film’s social commentary.
But does The Matchmaker live up to its own mythmaking? The answer, like the desert itself, is vast and uneven.
Aldhabaan’s direction is at its strongest when it leans into the film’s eerie atmosphere. The desert resort, with its sterile white walls and labyrinthine corridors, feels like a cult compound designed by a minimalist architect. The camera lingers on empty hallways and half-open doors, creating a sense of dread that’s more about what isn’t shown than what is.
This is a film that understands the power of negative space—both visually and thematically. The sparse dialogue forces the audience to read between the lines, to interpret the tension in a glance or the stiffness of a posture. When Tarek first arrives at the resort, the staff’s unnerving politeness feels like a performance, their smiles too wide, their voices too calm.
It’s the kind of detail that makes you lean forward in your seat, even if nothing overtly "thrilling" is happening.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
"A culturally rich but uneven drama that resonates with local audiences despite its pacing issues."
Viewers appreciate the authentic portrayal of Saudi Arabian culture and the emotional depth of the story, which centers on matchmaking traditions. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, some find the pacing slow and the narrative structure disjointed, making it less engaging for those unfamiliar with the cultural context.
What viewers praise
- Cultural authenticity The film is praised for its genuine depiction of Saudi traditions and societal dynamics, offering a rare and insightful perspective.
- Strong emotional core The story’s focus on relationships and family resonates deeply with audiences who connect with its themes.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers feel the film drags in places, particularly during extended dialogue scenes.
- Uneven narrative The story’s structure is criticized for feeling disjointed, with some subplots not fully developed.
Recommended for
Fans of cultural dramas Those interested in Saudi cinema Viewers who enjoy slow-burn stories
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside the Controversy and Creativity of The Matchmaker (2023)
Saudi Arabia’s first Netflix-backed psychological thriller, The Matchmaker (2023), has arrived with a storm of intrigue—and backlash. Directed by Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan and starring Reem Al-Habib, Husam AlHarthi, and Nour Alkhadra, the film dives into obsession, cultural taboos, and the supernatural. latestnetflix.com's read is that but behind its slick thriller veneer lies a production steeped in real-life inspiration, creative risks, and religious controversy.
A Thriller Born from Reality
Aldhabaan didn’t just craft The Matchmaker as a fictional tale—he drew from lived experiences and Saudi folklore. In an interview with Esquire Middle East, the director revealed that the film’s eerie desert setting and psychological twists were shaped by "real-life experiences as well as the myths and legends" of the region 
. The result? A story that blurs the line between infatuation and possession, following a married IT worker who becomes dangerously fixated on his intern, only to chase her to a desert resort teeming with unsettling forces 
.
The film’s production company, Telfaz11, is known for pushing boundaries in Saudi cinema, and The Matchmaker is no exception. Aldhabaan and his team reportedly went to "great lengths" to ground the film’s supernatural elements in authenticity, though specifics about their research remain scarce . What’s clear is that the movie’s blend of psychological horror and cultural commentary was intentional—and risky.
Controversy Over "Temporary Marriages"
The Matchmaker’s release on Netflix in 2023 sparked immediate backlash, particularly over its depiction of mut’ah (temporary marriages), a practice with religious and cultural sensitivity in Saudi Arabia. Variety reported that the film’s exploration of this theme—centered on a married protagonist’s moral unraveling—drew criticism for "taking religious sentiments in hand" 
. While the movie doesn’t explicitly endorse the practice, its inclusion in a psychological thriller was enough to ignite debate.
The controversy highlights the tightrope Saudi filmmakers walk when tackling taboo subjects. The Matchmaker isn’t just a thriller; it’s a cultural lightning rod, forcing audiences to confront uncomfortable questions about desire, tradition, and modernity. Netflix’s decision to platform the film underscores the streaming giant’s appetite for regionally provocative content—even when it ruffles feathers.
A Cast of Rising Saudi Talent
The film’s ensemble cast brings depth to its psychological tension. Reem Al-Habib (Masameer County) and Husam AlHarthi (Masameer County, Exit 7) lead the charge, with Nour Alkhadra, Rahaf Ibrahim, and Jubran Al-Jubran rounding out the key players . While IMDb lists additional actors like Asem Alawad and Thamer Alharbi, their roles remain minor in the film’s central narrative .
Little is known about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the cast, but their performances anchor the film’s descent into madness. Al-Habib, in particular, has been a standout in Saudi cinema, and her role as the object of obsession in The Matchmaker adds another layer to her growing filmography.
What’s Next for Aldhabaan?
With The Matchmaker now streaming, Aldhabaan’s next move is anyone’s guess. The director has yet to announce a follow-up project, but given the film’s polarizing reception, it’s likely he’ll continue exploring bold, culturally charged stories. Whether he leans further into horror, doubles down on social commentary, or pivots entirely remains to be seen.
For now, The Matchmaker stands as a testament to Saudi cinema’s evolution—a thriller that’s as much about its own controversies as it is about its plot.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.