Joyland

Name: Joyland
Genre: Drama
Released: April 7, 2023
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Honey Albela, Priya Usman Khan, Ramiz Law

2023

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Joyland (US Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope | Release Date: April 7, 2023 | Not Rated

Starring: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Honey Albela, Priya Usman Khan, Ramiz Law, Rasti Farooq, Salmaan Peerzada, Sameer Sohail, Sania Saeed, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer

Summary: Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusualGentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual position shakes up the steadfast traditional dynamics of his household and enables Haider to break out of his shell. As he acclimates to the new job, Haider becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman Biba (Alina Khan) who runs the show—an unforeseen partnership that opens his eyes and ultimately his worldview, in ways both unexpected and intimate.… Expand

Director: Saim Sadiq

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 126 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Hannah Bae

May 17, 2023

It’s revolutionary due to Sadiq’s care and close attention to detail with all of his characters. It’s a love letter to a place and people he knows intimately, and I hope to see much more of his work soon. Read full review

100

Tara Brady

Feb 24, 2023

Mostly, Joyland is a film of huge heart and empathy. Mirroring the hapless hero’s journey, it’s an unexpected romance. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Apr 3, 2023

Sadiq is not lecturing us or trading in types; he is taking us by sensory surprise, and the tale that he tells is funny, forward, and sometimes woundingly sad. Read full review

Lovia Gyarkye

Nov 15, 2022

As Joyland heads toward its end, the film grows increasingly moving. Secrets and their attendant lies collapse under pressure. The weight of what’s left unsaid strangles interactions. Read full review

Empire John Nugent

Feb 21, 2023

A storming debut from writer-director Saim Sadiq: emotional, tender, and quietly radical. With any luck, it will herald a new era for Pakistani cinema. Read full review

Allan Hunter

Nov 15, 2022

Sadiq’s screenplay navigates a complex web of secrets and lies, pressures and prejudices to create a soulful human drama intent on challenging narrow minds. Read full review

The Film Stage Ethan Vestby

Nov 15, 2022

Another example of a tasteful but passionless festival film, Saim Sadiq’s feature debut Joyland errs on the side of arch family drama when its most interesting aspects remain almost in the periphery, promising a much better film. Read full review

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User Reviews

amtam

Jun 1, 2023

Vivid, heartfelt, an incredible win for director Salim Sadiq and crew. Look forward to see what he does next.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RIKIN

Apr 9, 2023

Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal.Colossal.Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal. Colossal.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Apr 29, 2023

Wiping away sexual taboos in countries where the culture’s tolerance for such things is, shall we say, somewhat “limited” can indeed be a slow, painful and difficult process. Such conditions are presented with remarkable candor on a number of fronts in this groundbreaking debut feature fromWiping away sexual taboos in countries where the culture’s tolerance for such things is, shall we say, somewhat “limited” can indeed be a slow, painful and difficult process. Such conditions are presented with remarkable candor on a number of fronts in this groundbreaking debut feature from Pakistani writer-director Saim Sadiq, who unflinchingly depicts the frustration that many are feeling in a nation yearning for greater social acceptance and personal freedom when it comes to alternate lifestyles. And this work is certainly commendable for the bold, courageous steps it has taken in this regard. However, these ideas are far from anything new in the world of cinema, and, as I watched this film, I couldn’t help but think that the praise that has been heaped on it is somewhat hyped, primarily because of the venue in which the story is set. Don’t get me wrong – this is a well-made picture, and I would imagine that the impact it has had on its country of origin is substantial, but I don’t believe it’s quite on par with the sweeping accolades that have been showered upon it. (Its victory at the Independent Spirit Awards for Best International Film, for example, was an overstatement in my book compared to some of the other nominees.) As a first feature for the filmmaker, it’s a fine work that shows a great deal of promise for its creator, who clearly possesses an abundance of talent that I can’t wait to see further developed. But there are elements of his craft that could use some further refinement to elevate him to the level of the big leagues (case in point, a conclusion that has been done several times before and almost comes across as trite here). “Joyland” certainly makes a powerful statement that needs to be said (and acted upon), and it does so in a highly capable way, but aspects of it could have been improved upon to make this a truly great film worthy of the honors that have been bestowed upon it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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