Happy Birthday
Seen it?2025 | 91 min | Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Eight-year-old maid Toha goes to great lengths to ensure that her best friend Nelly, the daughter of her wealthy employer, has a successful birthday party in this poignant debut feature exploring classism in modern-day Cairo.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
4 wins and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 9K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
Cast & crew
Directed by Sarah Goher
- Nelly KarimLaila
- Doha RamadanToha
- Sherif SalamaAsser
- Hanan MotawieNadia
- Hanan YoussefGrandmother
- Aly SobhyToktok Kidnapper
- Gehad Hossam El DinClothing Store Seller
- Hazem EhabCake Shop Cashier
- Yasmeen El HawaryClothing Store Seller 2
- Khadheeja AhmedNelly