The Fakenapping revolves around Sattam, a down-on-his-luck middle-aged man, who tries to do right by everyone and fails on every front. But his life takes a thrilling turn when he makes one wrong plan. Even though the film employs a predictable trope like fake kidnapping, it is able to tell an entertaining tale, with distinct and memorable characters. Apart from the entertaining elements, director Amine Lakhnech also comments on themes like greed, innocence, belonging, and parental relationships in a short timespan, with finesse.

Director: Amine Lakhnech

Cast: Mahmod Dokhei, Yazid Almajyul, Abdulaziz Al Sokayreen, Saeed Al-Owairan

The biggest strength of The Fakenapping is its sardonic and absurdist humour. Sattam (Mohmad Dokhei) arranges for the kidnapping of his father, Suleiman (Abdulaziz Al Sokayreen), after he refuses to help him. Instead of being threatening, the kidnappers seek Suleiman's validation for their haircuts, want him to join in prayers, and even dress him up in a bright red Michael Jordan jersey. Lakhnech is able to use a lot of tools at his disposal to focus on comedy. The film uses props and settings to create memorable comedic moments. While The Fakenapping doesn't have deeply moving performances, it has very convincing ones. At the centre of it all, Mohmad Dokhei as Sattam, gives a performance that never fails to entertain the viewers. Dokhei tries to be brave for his daughter, tries his best to satisfy his mother, tries to stand his ground by seeking help from his father, all by putting on different faces. As absurd as Sattam's plot is, Dokhei's earnest performance gives the story more weight. The film is also technically sound, using clever camera techniques to avoid being stale. Something as simple as looking into a safe is made interesting by the frame-within-a-frame technique.

While there are plot elements that have very real stakes for the people involved, The Fakenapping fails to communicate the stakes to the viewer. When Sattam is threatened by a loan shark to repay his dues, the stakes are raised for the characters, and the viewers feel the tension rise. But when the loan shark is beaten down by Suleiman, who somehow finds his non-existent strength, you wonder if convenience has set in. Certain storylines are only used to add weight to the plot, but are not given a proper closure. Sattam and his daughter are shown to share a strong bond, but his daughter vanishes after a point, only to return to milk sympathy from the audience. Sulieman's daughter-in-law, who is expecting a child, worries about the fate of her child, who is coming into what she considers an inept family. But she disappears after a while as well. Such loose ends leave the viewers with frustrating questions.

The Fakenapping has solid performances, memorable moments, and many such positives. But it is also an example of an incomplete effort.