The Matchmaker puts the Saudi film industry on the global stage

The film is also the Kingdom’s first psychological thriller.

Netflix has announced the release of its latest Arabic psychological thriller called The Matchmaker. But what makes this film unique is that it was filmed entirely in AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia. This is the first time a movie has been filmed entirely at this location.

The Matchmaker revolves around Tarek, an IT worker who follows an intern from his office to a resort in the desert. At the resort, he meets a matchmaker who promises to unite men with their ideal partners. However, Tarek’s wanderings lead him to discover an ancient vengeance, and the story takes an eerie turn.

The film stars Hussam Alharthy, Nour Alkhadra, and Reem Alhabib, and is one of the first psychological thrillers from Saudi Arabia. With its incredible visuals and 200,000 years of unexplored history, AlUla adds to the story’s enigma. The site also provides a unique cultural experience for viewers due to its historical significance.

Speaking to Variety, producer Mohammed Alhamoud shared that the most interesting aspect of The Matchmaker is its exploration of ‘misyar’ – a controversial yet legal practice in Saudi Arabia – which is also why they had to be cautious from the start of the project. 

“Alongside a male director, we also had female writers,” explained Mohammed. “We want it to represent what women in Saudi are like today.” This comes with the changing landscape of Saudi Arabia where women now work shoulder-to-shoulder with men, sharing public spaces as well.

The Matchmaker is produced by Telfaz11, a Saudi Arabian production company that made headlines with its recent successful releases such as Al Khallat and the highest-grossing Saudi film in history, Sattar.

While the country’s film industry has traditionally focused on dramas and comedies, Telfaz11 wanted to experiment with the psychological thriller genre. With The Matchmaker currently streaming on Netflix, Saudi Arabia’s film industry has hit a new high, and this movie is poised to be a game-changer. Its gripping storyline, thought-provoking themes, and unconventional setting make it an absolute must-watch for fans of the psychological thriller genre.

GO: Visit www.netflix.com to watch The Matchmaker.