Teen thrillers are fun, but there’s only so many times you can enjoy the warnings to not sneak out at night, to not give into peer pressure, and to not trust random strangers. NAGA is another teen night gone wrong, but unlike the regular suburban dangers, Sarah deals with, of all things, a vindictive camel out for blood, on top of teenage hijinks and other dangers women face in the conservative country of Saudi Arabia. While there are a tad too many events and some visuals might prove too dizzying for some viewers, NAGA is such a wild ride that’s so fun to follow.
Synopsis
Stranded amid Riyadh's desert dunes, Sarah, a local Saudi girl, escapes heartaches and the vengeance of a vigorous camel after discreetly sneaking out of her parent's home for a romantic date that landed her astray.
Storyline
After sneaking out of her parents’ home for a date, Sarah gets stranded amid Riyadh's desert dunes, and must get past a vindictive camel and heartaches in order to make it home before curfew.
TLDR
Nothing's scarier than getting the wrath of your conservative parents, except maybe a vicious camel out for your blood.
What stands out
NAGA isn’t exactly the action-filled thriller we’re used to, but there’s something so unique about the approach of this directorial debut. Naga doesn’t have a kidnapping for ransom or a murder to solve, but Meshal Al Jaser is able to tap into the pure terror of a night out gone wrong. Even before the vicious camel, there’s already a certain tremor in knowing there will be consequences if Sarah is late. Meeting up with a guy is treated like a spy movie, as Sarah peers through fabric rolls to check if her dad is gone. On top of this, the echoes on the desert ridge, the shine of spiked coffee, and rumors about camel behavior hint at the terrors ahead. Paired with Adwa Bader’s self-assured delivery, dizzying visuals, and that excellent score, NAGA is a startlingly thrilling debut to watch.
