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What's After the Movie?
Mystery drama

Scales (2021): Cast & Ratings

Scales (2021) movie poster

Scales is a 2021 mystery drama directed by Shahad Ameen, starring Basima Hajjar as Hayat, Abdulaziz Shtian and Ali Abdallah Al Kamzari. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes and was made on a reported $10,000 budget. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Echo Score
77
Metascore
72
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Scales (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 14m (74 min)
Director
Shahad Ameen
Genres
Drama , Mystery
Original language
Arabic
Budget
$10K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Scales About?

The premise of Scales without spoilers.

In a village steeped in a dark and unusual tradition, Hayat’s life is one of struggle and isolation. Spared from a customary sacrifice due to her father’s courageous intervention, she finds herself an outcast. As her strength and defiance grow, she faces a growing curse and must decide whether to accept her predetermined fate or fight for acceptance and a place among those who once rejected her.

Scales Themes & Keywords

· 6 tags
  • ritual sacrifice
  • young girl
  • sea monster
  • fisherman village
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
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Cast & crew

Scales Cast & Characters

Basima Hajjar leads the cast as Hayat, with Abdulaziz Shtian as Yaser and Ali Abdallah Al Kamzari as Salim. Directed by Shahad Ameen; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Shahad Ameen

One more film directed by Shahad Ameen: Scales.

Full filmography
Ratings

Scales Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Scales 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (55).

77 /100

Scales Echo Score Breakdown

Scales delivers a striking visual experience that compensates for uneven narrative execution. Critics commend the bold black‑and‑white cinematography, immersive sound design, and ambitious symbolism, while noting that plot cohesion suffers in the middle act. The film’s feminist parable resonates emotionally for some viewers but can feel opaque to others. Overall, the debut is praised for its artistry and daring concept, despite shortcomings in storytelling and pacing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, Scales is highly lauded for its bold black‑and‑white palette and meticulous composition. Reviewers highlight the glittering cinematography, striking production design, and precise editing that create a cohesive visual metaphor. Even critics who note narrative flaws acknowledge the film’s striking aesthetic achievement.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film elicits mixed responses. Some critics praise the ability to convey recognizable human feelings through minimalist performances, while others argue that deeper character development is lacking and the script’s pacing hinders emotional resonance. The overall impression is that character work is competent but not fully realized.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, reviewers are generally critical of the film’s narrative coherence. The symbolic ambition is acknowledged, yet many note that plot momentum dissipates after the opening third, leading to opacity and disjointed pacing. Consequently, the story is seen as uneven, sacrificing clarity for thematic depth.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In sensory experience, Scales excels according to most critiques. The immersive sound design, eerie score, and tactile black‑and‑white visuals generate a primal atmosphere that many find compelling. Reviewers describe the audio‑visual blend as a standout element that sustains engagement despite other weaknesses.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    The rewatch factor for Scales is moderate. While the visual and auditory artistry invites repeated viewings to unpack symbolism, the uneven narrative and sparse character arcs may limit lasting appeal for some audiences. Overall, the film offers a rewarding but niche repeat experience.

Videos

Scales Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Scales.

Scales | Teaser Trailer 2019 [HD] | Distortion Entertainment
Details

Scales Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “L’envoi” and “Le vele scarlatte”.

Also known as
  • L’envoi
  • Le vele scarlatte
  • 스칼렛
  • Scarlet (L'envol)
  • Die Purpursegel
  • Σκάρλετ
  • 起飞了
  • Bíborvörös
  • Velas Escarlates
  • Алые паруса
  • Nachové plachty
  • Szkarłat

Seen Scales?

FAQ

Scales FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Scales, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Scales?

Scales runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).

When was Scales released?

Scales was released on July 9, 2021.

Who directed Scales?

Scales was directed by Shahad Ameen.

More films by Shahad Ameen

Who is in the cast of Scales?

Scales stars Basima Hajjar as Hayat, Abdulaziz Shtian as Yaser and Ali Abdallah Al Kamzari as Salim, among 10 credited actors.

What was the budget of Scales?

Scales had a reported budget of $10,000.

How is Scales rated?

Scales has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 100% on TMDB.

Does Scales have a post-credit scene?

No. Scales has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Scales in?

The original language of Scales is Arabic.

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