Rule Breakers isn’t just another film about oppression—it’s a window into a world that many of us have heard about but rarely truly understand. When I sat down to watch this movie, I wasn’t sure if it would offer anything new to the conversation about women’s rights in Afghanistan. We’ve seen documentaries and news reports, but this film manages to humanize the statistics in a way that caught me off guard.
Acting
The ensemble cast delivers performances that stay with you long after the credits roll. Nikohl Boosheri in particular brings a quiet intensity to her role as Roya Mahboob, especially in the scene where she first decides to defy the rules that have constrained her entire life. The subtle shift in her expression from fear to determination speaks volumes without a single word of dialogue. If you’ve seen her in the series Altered Carbon, you’ll notice how she brings that same emotional authenticity but with an entirely different cultural context.
The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App
The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.
Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)
Pacing
What impressed me about Rule Breakers is how it balances its heavy subject matter with moments that allow the audience to breathe. The director never rushes through important emotional beats, yet the film never feels like it’s dragging. The story unfolds naturally, building tension as the characters take increasingly bold risks, making the climax feel both inevitable and shocking.
Cultural Message
What makes Rule Breakers particularly relevant today is how it doesn’t just present these women as victims but as active agents fighting for change in their own ways. The film arrived at a critical moment, as the world has watched the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan with renewed concerns about women’s rights. For Western audiences, it offers a nuanced perspective beyond the headlines, while for those more familiar with the region, it may resonate as an authentic portrayal that avoids the typical Hollywood oversimplification.
Rule Breakers isn’t always an easy watch—nor should it be—but it’s an essential one. It reminds us that sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply to live authentically in a world that demands conformity. In an era where women’s rights are being challenged globally, not just in Afghanistan, this film feels less like a foreign story and more like a universal warning. Don’t miss it.
Grade: A
If you liked this…
If you appreciated films like Persepolis or Osama, you’ll find Rule Breakers occupies similar territory but with its own distinct voice. Unlike many Western-made films about the Middle East, it avoids both sentimentality and sensationalism, offering something more honest and ultimately more impactful.
About The Peetimes: I found 2 Peetimes that will work. They both keep you from falling behind in the chain of events that plays out.
There are extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Rule Breakers.
What people are saying
about the RunPee app.
Movie Watching Must Have!!
I go feral for this app. I love it so much and I wish everyone knew about it and used it. It is incredibly useful and I would be devastated if this app ever disappeared. Things I love: 1) the pee times! It’s so handy to know the best time to go and then read the synopsis of what’s happening while I’m gone. I never have to worry about missing the good bits! 2) knowing if there is a post-credits scene or not. This might be my fav feature because I would have missed out on some pretty critical scenes if it weren’t for RunPee. 3) the movie review and viewer rankings. This info has made me watch some movies that I normally wouldn’t and it’s nice seeing things outside of my usual scope. 4) that it’s a small family run business. I love shopping small and it really does feel like I’m part of the RunPee family! If you reach out to them, Dan will personally respond to you and he is so warm and helpful. GET THIS APP AND THEN SUBSCRIBE! It is absolutely worth it and you’ll be using it again and again!
View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Download RunPee app
Rated: | (N/A) Some Violent Content | Thematic Material |
Genres: | Drama |
USA release date: | 2025-03-06 |
Movie length: | |
Starring: | Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ali Fazal, Fahim Fazli |
Director: | Bill Guttentag |
Writer(s): | Jason Brown, Bill Guttentag, Elaha Mahboob |
Language: | English |
Country: | United States |
Plot
Set between 2017-2019, this is the real life journey of the first all girls’ Robotics team from Afghanistan, founded by Roya Mahboob, who self-taught themselves to write code and fought all odds to win championships worldwide.
Leave a Reply