Written, directed, and produced by Brandt Andersen, I Was a Stranger is one of the earliest films I’ve seen in 2026, though its dating can be a bit confusing. The film has been listed as a 2024 release in some places due to festival screenings, with an extremely limited theatrical rollout at the end of 2025, before arriving more broadly at the start of this year. Regardless of the release technicalities, this marks Andersen’s feature-length debut and arrives under the Angel Studios banner, a company known largely for films centered on humanitarian and faith-adjacent themes.
Going into I Was a Stranger, I did so completely blind. I had not seen a trailer or read a synopsis, and aside from recognizing Omar Sy’s name in the cast, I did not know what kind of film I was about to watch. It quickly became clear that this was not going to be an easy or uplifting viewing experience, but rather a bleak, human-centered story rooted in real-world tragedy.
The film follows five interconnected stories that unfold across borders on a single, harrowing night. At its center is a Syrian doctor forced to flee Aleppo with her young daughter as war consumes their home. Her journey intersects with a smuggler trying to save his son, a soldier grappling with his conscience, a poet searching for a sense of belonging, and a Greek coast guard captain caught between duty and mercy. Together, these perspectives paint a sobering portrait of survival, displacement, and moral reckoning.
This is a difficult film to discuss in simple terms. It is not the kind of movie you casually recommend as a “good time.” Instead, it demands that you understand what you are walking into. The subject matter is heavy, the tone is somber, and the emotional weight lingers long after the credits roll. That said, it is also a film made with sincerity and care, and that effort is evident throughout.
From a filmmaking standpoint, I Was a Stranger is impressive, especially considering its scale. The production design, makeup, costume work, and use of real locations help ground the story in authenticity. Practical effects, physical environments, and restrained use of spectacle give the film a sense of realism rather than manufactured drama. The performances across the board are strong, even from actors who may be unfamiliar to many viewers. Omar Sy is the most recognizable presence, but the ensemble as a whole carries the emotional burden effectively.
One of the film’s most striking elements is its use of language. Characters speak in English, Arabic, Greek, Turkish, and more, with much of the film relying on subtitles. Rather than feeling like an obstacle, this multilingual approach adds authenticity and reinforces the film’s global scope. It highlights how these stories are not isolated incidents, but part of a much larger human experience.
After the film concludes, a brief message from Brandt Andersen explains his personal connection to the subject matter and his years working with Syrian refugees, noting that this project has been in development since 2017. That context matters. You can feel the personal investment in the story, and it gives the film an emotional honesty that elevates it beyond simple issue-driven drama.
At its core, I Was a Stranger is about humanity and connection. It explores how people from vastly different backgrounds can find themselves bound together by circumstance, and how recognizing one another as more than strangers can become an act of survival. The film also acknowledges how fear, misinformation, and distance can distort perspectives, especially for those watching such crises from the safety of their homes.
Structurally, the film is divided into chapters that follow each character’s perspective. While this approach works thematically, it is also where the film occasionally falters. Spending extended stretches with one character before moving on to another can weaken the emotional connection, especially when the film later circles back with limited time remaining. At times, it feels as though the story would have benefited from a longer runtime or an episodic format, allowing each character’s journey to breathe more fully. As a result, some arcs feel underdeveloped, not due to lack of care, but due to limited space.
Despite this, the film largely succeeds in what it sets out to do. It is bleak, grounded, and emotionally heavy, but intentionally so. It does not offer easy answers or a comforting resolution. Instead, it reflects the harsh realities faced by countless people caught in the crossfire of conflict, emphasizing how often innocent lives are shaped by decisions made far beyond their control.
Do I recommend I Was a Stranger? Yes, with an important caveat. This is not a crowd-pleasing or uplifting film. It is a realistic, somber exploration of war, displacement, and survival. If you go in expecting a hopeful or inspirational experience, you may be caught off guard. However, if you are open to a grounded, human story that challenges you to reflect on real-world suffering and shared humanity, this film is worth your time.
It is not for everyone, but it is sincere, thoughtfully made, and emotionally resonant. I Was a Stranger is the kind of film that may not feel “enjoyable” in the traditional sense, but it stays with you, asking you to sit with uncomfortable truths and consider the lives too often reduced to headlines.
Rating: 7/10