‘All That’s Left Of You’ Review – Resistance And Humanity Cannot Be Stolen [AFI Fest 2025]

Even if our families have different structures, the idea of family is one that does not need to be translated. The moment that we think of other groups outside of the realm as people with families (and let’s hope we never do), dehumanization is an easy step to take. But when we are forced to reckon with the fact that the person who we see as an enemy is simply a father or mother trying their best to care for their kin, it should be impossible to treat them as less than. And yet, we live in a world that is divided enough to lead us to do exactly this. Historically and currently, there are a myriad of examples of this separation. And of course, given the news cycle currently, the constant barrage of violence towards the people of Palestine from the occupying forces of Israel is likely the one that we are most acutely aware of. Despite these constant horrific visuals, many of us scroll past, not giving them enough thought. But film, as always, is here to make us take a close look.

All That’s Left Of You opens with an action-packed sequence that becomes hard to watch due to its violent ends. Noor (Muhammad Abed Elrahman) is a teenager in the occupied West Bank, and as he travels through his hometown living a relatively normal existence, he quickly gets caught up in a protest. Eventually, gunfire starts, and we are alongside him in a run for his life. As he dives into a car, a bullet pierces the window just where he has entered. Even if we want to deny it, we know exactly what happens to Noor.

But the film does not delve into the gruesome sight; instead, it introduces us to its world with a bit of mystery provided by Hanan (Cherien Dabis). She tells us, literally as she faces the camera, that to know her son, you must learn about his father. This is a perfect grounding for the film, which is about, among other things, intergenerational trauma. It is also a pointed and effective choice, given that Dabis is not only an actress, but the writer and director of the film, as well. She is sitting us down to tell us an important story in more ways than one. The film then takes an unexpected turn, not to her son’s pain, but to the family’s history, beginning when Noor’s grandfather, Sharif (Adam Bakri), was the patriarch of the home.

These scenes truly set the stage for the entire family’s pain. The jarring effects of the constant bombings endured enable us to understand both the need to stay and to flee. In particular, watching the couple discuss their reasons for their own desires is wildly effective. Most importantly, though, the film takes a close look at parenthood and how it affects us when we cannot protect our own people. It is no coincidence that as the film moves back in time, it portrays its main male characters as lovers of poetry and learning. What is a nonviolent man to do in terrible times? Yes, they must protect their families’ well-being, but at what cost?

In one deeply impactful scene, Salim (Saleh Bakri) and his son, Noor, are stopped by Israeli forces. The emotional violence and humiliation that follows is hard to watch for us, but harder still for young Noor. He sees his father, his protector, his rock, as someone who can be bullied and pushed around. His young brain certainly cannot process that Salim must act in this way to save both of their lives. It is unfair, but some moments in our lives are more important than others. Even if Salim never has another moment of weakness, this will play in Noor’s head repeatedly. 

But it is not just a film about fathers and sons. It is also a movie about what home and family truly mean. Now, there is no way I can truly fathom the loss of a home like a person from Palestine can. The levels of this have a depth that I hope I never understand fully. All That’s Left of You takes a dramatic turn in its second half into almost a medical, philosophical drama. There are moments contained that make you question the plotting. But, as it twists and turns and brings some of the characters back to a home that they were never allowed to claim, the faith we put in Dabis, as a writer and director, is well-placed. The ending of the film, without feeling overly preachy, cuts deeply enough to wound. We feel loss, belonging, and most of all, we feel a bond that can never be broken. Language can be robbed, homes can be taken, lives can even be lost. But nothing can take away a shared history. 

The film is not as overtly political as one might assume, which is to its massive advantage, as it forces us to zoom in on this particular family’s history. Yes, it is surrounded by geopolitical strife, but although this is based on historical events, it is not meant as a documentary-style film. It is about family, connection, and hopefully, finally, a reach towards healing. The film states that whether or not others do evil with our good deeds, the good wins through. As a spiritual advisor states, “Your humanity is also resistance. It is the one thing they cannot take from you.” I hope that we can all carry this with us, no matter what we face.

All That’s Left of You played as part of the World Cinema section at AFI Fest 2025. The film will debut in limited release on January 9, 2026, courtesy of Watermelon Pictures and Visibility Films. The film will expand nationally in the following weeks. 

Director: Cherien Dabis

Writer: Cherien Dabis

Rated: NR

Runtime: 145m