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Movie Review: Netflix’s ‘Mosul’ Is Both Action and Heart

A Brief Message Before the Review

The world has been crippled by disease, economic decline, unemployment, and social unrest. News stations constantly cover topics such as COVID-19, the election, and other depressing stories that are relevant to today’s day and age. One topic we don’t see often anymore is the war being fought overseas. Our news coverage has almost shut its eyes to what is happening in the Middle East and seemingly likes to comfort itself with the false blanket that terrorism is defeated.

This is why I was not only happy to cover Netflix’s upcoming film Mosul, but glad that it was made. I am no expert on what is happening with the Middle East, but I do frequently watch YouTube videos and documentaries about terrorism in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and more. VICE puts out a lot of content covering ISIS, the Taliban, and more. They follow not only American and U.K. troops, but the every day people who decided to take up arms and fight for their land against hateful rhetoric. One of the best videos I suggest from VICE is ‘This Is What Winning Looks Like”. It’s from 2013, but gives you a great idea of what really was going on overseas when the world was boasting that we were “winning the war on terrorism”.

Slight Spoilers

Mosul is an Arabic-spoken movie taking place in Iraq. It documents the battle against ISIS to push the terrorist organization (also known as Daesh) out of one of its last strongholds. The movie follows a young Iraqi policeman Kawa (played by Adam Bessa) who suddenly joins the Nineveh SWAT team when they save him during a gunfight. The movie then follows this team as they travel through Mosul virtually under the radar, as they look to take out an ISIS base. The actual mission is unknown to both Kawa and the audience until the very end and it’s certainly a mission worth fighting for.

Mosul is produced by the Russo Brothers and directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan. I think Carnahan did a really great job in setting the realistic feel of Mosul during such a tumultuous time. For anyone who has done a Google search or has watched a documentary, you know that the movie reflects the exact state of Iraq after being devastated by Daesh. The movie is constantly moving forward, even in the few moments it takes a break. It does a good job in not feeling overcrowded or rushed, as well as not dragging to get to the next destination.

The SWAT Team

MOSUL (L to R) Tarik Belmekki as “Youness,” Qutaiba Abdelhaq as “Kamal,” Adam Bessa as “Kawa,” Mohimen Mahbuba as “Amir” and Is’haq Elias as “Waleed.” Cr. JOSE HARO/NETFLIX © 2020.

While there is plenty of action, Mosul doesn’t feel like a cheap grab to smack a real life event in the title to then just put out a generic action film. It’s heart racing and unexpected. But, it’s filled with emotion and the raw reality that these men must face. Every man who joins the SWAT team must have either been injured by Daesh or have lost a loved one due to them. According to the film, most have experienced both. So, these guys are determined to take out such an evil organization and try to rebuild their country. There was a theme of hope among the despair. And a stark reality that outside sources, such as the Americans; may have done more harm than good with their airstrikes.

The Stand-Out

While Bessa is framed as the lead and certainly does a great job, especially towards the end; my standout here is Suhail Dabbach as Major Jasem. The leader of the SWAT team, he loves all of his soldiers like his sons. And they look to him as their father. He is reserved, but that doesn’t mean you should mess with him. His face may be hard to read sometimes, but he shows [several times] moments of love and kindness. He knows he must be the leader and is driven by the mission at hand. Major Jasem also dislikes trash and it’s a very interesting little character trait I enjoyed.

Rating: 5/5

I know this review has been long, but I watched Mosul twice before writing this up. I could watch it several times more. It’s an important film that checks a lot of boxes. Maybe you watch it to be educated or maybe you watch it for entertainment. However you watch it, please watch it!

For an interview with producers Joe and Anthony Russo, check out snippets of a roundtable event I participated in!