What No Good Men is about
No Good Men centers on Naru, a woman working as a camerawoman at a Kabul television station in 2021—a position that makes her a rare figure in her workplace. She's trapped in a marriage to a serial cheater and faces the legal reality that Afghan law could cost her custody of her young son. After a live on-air confrontation with her husband derails her job on a cooking show, she's reassigned to the news department. There, she gradually falls in love with Qodrat, an older married reporter. The premise is simple on the surface. But what unfolds is far messier: a woman forced to question her own convictions about morality, loyalty, and whether the men around her—or any man in her country—can be trusted.
What we know so far
According to Wikipedia, the film is a Germany–France–Norway–Denmark–Afghanistan co-production with a runtime of approximately 103 minutes. It's directed by and stars Shahrbanoo Sadat, with Anwar Hashimi playing Qodrat. The ensemble cast includes Liam Hussaini, Torkan Omari, Fatima Hassani, and Yasin Negah. The film made its world premiere as the Opening Film of the Berlin International Film Festival's Berlinale Special Gala section on February 12, 2026—a major honor that signals confidence in the project's artistic weight.
The production brings together experienced European and Afghan talent: cinematographer Virginie Surdej, composer Therese Aune, and producers including Katja Adomeit and Balthasar Busmann. A theatrical release in Italy is scheduled for May 28, 2026, with Germany following on August 27, 2026.
Why it's anticipated
There's something rare here—and I keep coming back to this—a film that's autobiographical yet comedic about Afghanistan, about journalism, about what it means to be a woman trying to work and survive in a place where the system is rigged against you. Most films treating Afghanistan lean toward the documentary or the tragic. This one's a romcom. That tonal choice matters. It's not cynical; it's defiant. The film's tagline—"An Afghan love story"—doesn't shy away from romance, even amid the constraints and contradictions of the setting.
Shahrbanoo Sadat's work has shown a willingness to grapple with gender and power in ways that don't feel didactic. The collaboration with Anwar Hashimi, basing the screenplay on his own writing, suggests a genuine creative partnership rooted in lived experience rather than outsider observation. That authenticity is hard to fake—and it's what audiences increasingly hunger for when stories about unfamiliar places and circumstances arrive on screen.
Release date and where to watch
No Good Men isn't yet released. It's expected to arrive in 2026, with confirmed theatrical dates in Italy (May 28) and Germany (August 27). The film hasn't been acquired for streaming or digital platforms yet. Movie OTT will track all platform announcements as distribution rights are finalized—check the Where-to-Watch widget on this page for updates as they're confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
When is No Good Men releasing?
The film had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on February 12, 2026. Theatrical releases are scheduled for May 28, 2026 in Italy and August 27, 2026 in Germany. Other territories' release dates haven't been announced yet.
Is No Good Men out yet?
Not yet. As of now, it's available only to festival attendees and press. Wide theatrical release is still ahead.
Where will I be able to watch No Good Men?
Streaming and digital availability haven't been confirmed. Movie OTT will update this page as soon as distribution agreements are announced for your region.
Who directed and stars in No Good Men?
Shahrbanoo Sadat wrote, directed, and stars as Naru. Anwar Hashimi plays Qodrat. The supporting cast includes Liam Hussaini, Torkan Omari, Fatima Hassani, and Yasin Negah.
What genre is No Good Men?
It's classified as a romantic comedy with autobiographical and political dimensions. The film engages with themes of journalism, patriarchy, and gender in contemporary Afghanistan.
What to look forward to
No Good Men arrives as something we don't see often: a film that treats a fraught political and social reality with both humor and heart, without reducing either. The Berlin premiere already signals serious artistic ambition. As it moves into wider theatrical release through 2026, expect conversations about how cinema can tell intimate personal stories against the backdrop of systemic constraint—and how love, work, and survival intersect in ways that don't fit neat narrative boxes. Keep an eye on Movie OTT for streaming availability announcements.
