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Comedy drama

The Perfect Candidate (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Perfect Candidate (2021) movie poster

The Perfect Candidate is a 2021 comedy drama directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, starring Mila Al Zahrani as Dr. Maryam Alsafan, Nojoud Ahmed and Dae Al Hilali. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide on a $6,500 budget. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$1.5M
Echo Score
79
Metascore
71
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The Perfect Candidate (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
Arabic
Budget
$6.5K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Perfect Candidate About?

The premise of The Perfect Candidate without spoilers.

A dedicated young doctor, Maryam, faces frustrating bureaucratic obstacles that prevent her from attending a vital conference in Dubai. Seeking a solution to a local issue, she unexpectedly enters the municipal council election. Her campaign, initially focused on repairing a problematic road, unexpectedly evolves into a powerful grassroots movement, inspiring hope and empowering her community while challenging the status quo.

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Cast & crew

The Perfect Candidate Cast & Characters

Mila Al Zahrani leads the cast as Dr. Maryam Alsafan, with Nojoud Ahmed as Dr. Abeer and Dae Al Hilali as Selma. Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Perfect Candidate

· 7 more
From the director

More from Haifaa Al-Mansour

More films directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, best-rated first: Wadjda, Nappily Ever After and Mary Shelley.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Perfect Candidate Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Perfect Candidate 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (70).

79 /100

The Perfect Candidate Echo Score Breakdown

The Perfect Candidate delivers a solid, politically aware drama that balances cultural insight with an uplifting tone. Critics commend its nuanced portrayal of Saudi womanhood and commendable performances, while noting occasional heaviness in storytelling and a modest visual style. Audience reactions range from high praise for its authenticity to criticism of unfocused subplots, resulting in a film that is generally engaging but not uniformly compelling. Overall, the movie offers a hopeful, moderately memorable viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual design, reviewers describe the film as modestly glossy and aesthetically driven. Critics acknowledge a purposeful aesthetic that both empowers and limits the narrative. Some note a lack of striking cinematographic innovation, while others appreciate the restrained yet functional production values. The overall impression is one of competent craftsmanship without standout artistry.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character depth and acting, the consensus is largely positive. Critics highlight Al Zahrani's nuanced performance and the cast's ability to convey lived‑in authenticity. Reviewers point to the believable portrayal of a young woman's struggle within Saudi society. Audience comments echo this sentiment, praising the well‑acted ensemble and emotional resonance, resulting in strong character appeal.

  • Story & Flow 75

    The film’s narrative receives mixed but generally favorable feedback. Critics appreciate its political nuance and hopeful arc, yet some describe the pacing as unhurried and the storytelling occasionally heavy‑handed. The plot’s originality and engagement are noted, though a few reviewers mention unfocused subplots. Overall, the story is seen as coherent and purposeful, though not without narrative blemishes.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding sensory experience, reviewers comment on a modestly effective soundtrack and a visual style that supports the film’s tone. The score is described as swelling and occasionally reminiscent of sports‑movie motifs, adding emotional lift. However, the sound design and visual flair are not characterized as groundbreaking. The sensory elements serve the narrative adequately without elevating the overall impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    Rewatch potential is viewed as moderately high. Critics note the film’s blend of political insight and enjoyable moments, labeling it a rare political crowd‑pleaser. Audience responses range from enthusiastic endorsement to reservations about pacing, influencing repeat viewability. The film’s hopeful conclusion and cultural revelations encourage additional viewings, though occasional narrative slack may limit full replay value.

Box office

The Perfect Candidate Box Office & Budget

The Perfect Candidate grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a $6,500 budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

International
$1.5M
Budget
$6.5K
Videos

The Perfect Candidate Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

THE PERFECT CANDIDATE by Haifaa Al Mansour (official international trailer hd)
  • Clip THE PERFECT CANDIDATE Trailer | Clip 2019

Seen The Perfect Candidate?

FAQ

The Perfect Candidate FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Perfect Candidate, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Perfect Candidate?

The Perfect Candidate runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Perfect Candidate released?

The Perfect Candidate was released on May 14, 2021.

Who directed The Perfect Candidate?

The Perfect Candidate was directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour.

More films by Haifaa Al-Mansour

Who is in the cast of The Perfect Candidate?

The Perfect Candidate stars Mila Al Zahrani as Dr. Maryam Alsafan, Nojoud Ahmed as Dr. Abeer and Dae Al Hilali as Selma, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Perfect Candidate make at the box office?

The Perfect Candidate grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a budget of $6,500.

How is The Perfect Candidate rated?

The Perfect Candidate has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 5.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Perfect Candidate have a post-credit scene?

No. The Perfect Candidate has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Perfect Candidate in?

The original language of The Perfect Candidate is Arabic.

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