Rule Breakers Review: Afghan Girls Robotics Team Drama Blends Documentary and Fiction
Based on a true story, director Bill Guttentag's drama "Rule Breakers" follows Roya Mahboob, who forms an Afghan girls' robotics team to compete internationally. Nikohl Boosheri stars as Roya Mahboob, with real-life documentary footage blended into fictional reenactments. Phoebe Waller-Bridge appears in a cameo as a host.
Set in Afghanistan where women face draconian social restrictions, the team confronts opposition from families and conservatives. The competition sequences are the film's highlight, combining documentary footage with reenactments to create a headlong, energized vibe. The spaces around the team are portrayed as a haven of camaraderie and international collaboration amid ongoing conflict.
While the film juxtaposes Western funding with domestic oppression, the review notes it lacks political nuance regarding the history of American intervention in the region. Darker aspects, such as minor scenes depicting Afghan women being rejected for American visas, are included but underexplored.
"Rule Breakers" is set for release on digital platforms from 17 November 2025.
