Netflix Drops Official Trailer for The Fakenapping, a Wild Saudi Comedy About a Truly Terrible Plan

Listen: The Fakenapping on Netflix

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Saudi cinema isn't just arriving on streaming platforms; it’s kicking the door down. We’ve seen a massive surge in regional content that actually lands with local audiences, moving away from stiff dramas into genuinely funny, chaotic storytelling. If you have been keeping an eye on what's New on Netflix, you know the region is producing some high-quality satire.

Enter The Fakenapping. Produced by the heavyweights at Telfaz11, this film looks set to be the next water-cooler topic in Dubai offices. It takes a classic trope—the "get rich quick" scheme—and throws it into the specific cultural pressure cooker of Riyadh. It’s messy, it’s loud, and judging by the trailer, it’s full of the kind of bad decisions that make you cringe and laugh at the same time.

What is The Fakenapping?

The Fakenapping is a dark Saudi comedy that explores the absolute limits of desperation. It isn't a high-tech heist movie; it's a comedy of errors centered on a man who thinks staging a crime is the only way to solve his financial ruin.

Think of it as Fargo meets typical Saudi majlis banter. The film follows a failed entrepreneur who decides to kidnap his own father to secure a ransom. It’s a satirical look at pride, the crushing weight of debt, and how quickly a "simple plan" can spiral when you involve incompetent friends and actual criminals.

Key Takeaways

Here is the quick data you need before hitting play.

• Release Date: December 11th, 2025
• Platform: Netflix (Global)
• Genre: Comedy / Crime / Thriller
• Runtime: TBC (Feature Film)
• Production House: Telfaz11
• Director: Amine Lakhnech
• Writers: Ahmed Amer, Abdulaziz Alessa

Unpacking the 'Comedy of Errors'

The premise is simple, but the execution is where the chaos lives. The story revolves around Sattam, a man whose life is a testament to failed ambitions.

• The desperate motive: Sattam is drowning in debt and bad luck.
• The genius idea: Kidnap his own father to extort money.
• The weak link: His accomplices are his clueless friends, not professional criminals.
• The threat: A relentless loan shark named Abo Ateq is watching their every move.

Sattam, played by Mohamad Aldokhei, is the architect of his own misery. He represents that friend we all have who is always one "guaranteed" business idea away from being a millionaire, but usually ends up borrowing money for lunch. He opts for a physical abduction of his dad, roping in Yazeed Almajyul (Yaqoub), Khaled Howaijan (Abadi), and Abdullah Aldrees (Hamdan).

Naturally, nothing works. The trio of amateur kidnappers brings misguided enthusiasm rather than competence. Their "bad luck" isn't really luck; it's a series of terrible choices compounded by pride. The introduction of Saeed Al-Owairan—yes, the football legend—as the loan shark Abo Ateq adds a layer of genuine physical threat to the absurdity.

Why The Fakenapping Matters

Saudi content is moving away from polite TV dramas to gritty, self-aware cinema. Telfaz11 has been at the forefront of this shift, creating content that feels authentic to the youth in the region.

• Authentic Humor: The jokes rely on local dialects and social codes, not generic slapstick.
• Stunt Casting that Works: Casting a national sports hero like Saeed Al-Owairan draws a massive demographic beyond typical film buffs.
• Social Commentary: Beneath the laughs, it tackles the very real fear of losing status and the lengths people go to maintain a façade.

This film highlights the difference between Western crime comedies and regional ones. In Hollywood, the heist usually involves high-tech gadgets. Here, the obstacles are nosy neighbors, family dynamics, and the specific social shame of being broke. It’s grounded, the characters in The Fakenapping are dealing with much more tangible problems—like where to hide a parent without your aunt finding out.

Streaming Guide: How to Watch The Fakenapping

Getting your eyes on this film is straightforward for anyone in the MENA region or abroad.

• Platform: Exclusive to Netflix.
• Time: Drops at 12:00 PM GST (UAE time) on December 11th, 2025.
• Accessibility: Includes English and Arabic subtitles.

Netflix has been improving its localization game significantly. While we are seeing major leaps in Arabic AI Models helping with automated translation and subtitling across the tech world, Netflix still relies heavily on localized context to ensure the jokes land. You won't need to worry about the specific Saudi slang getting lost in translation; the subtitles for Telfaz11 productions are usually spot on.

For a direct link to the show page once it is live, check our dedicated tracker for The Fakenapping.

Is The Fakenapping Worth Your Time?

Based on the trailer and the talent involved, this is a strong "Add to List."

• The Pros: Mohamad Aldokhei is a proven talent who can balance drama and comedy. Seeing Saeed Al-Owairan acting is a major draw for anyone who remembers his 1994 World Cup goal.
• The Cons: If you prefer high-gloss, sanitized comedies, the chaotic, yelling-heavy style of Saudi farce might be stressful.
• The Vibe: It feels like The Hangover but with more tea and family guilt.

The film seems to understand the absurdity of crime in a hyper-connected society. The Fakenapping flips the script—the criminal here is the victim of his own incompetence. It promises to be a fun, albeit stressful, 90 minutes or so.

Conclusion

The Fakenapping is more than just a comedy; it's proof that Saudi storytelling is maturing. It steps away from moralizing and dives straight into the messy reality of bad decisions. With a December release, it’s perfectly timed for holiday viewing. If you like your laughs with a side of second-hand embarrassment and high stakes, this is one to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common queries regarding the film's release and cast.

When is The Fakenapping releasing in UAE?

The film releases on Netflix on December 11th, 2025. It should be available to stream from 12:00 PM GST.

Is Saeed Al-Owairan the football player acting in this?

Yes, the Saudi football legend Saeed Al-Owairan makes his acting debut in the film, playing the role of Abo Ateq, a ruthless loan shark.

Is the story based on real events?

No, the film is a fictional comedy about a man kidnapping his own father to pay debts is a scripted narrative by Ahmed Amer and Abdulaziz Alessa.

Do I need to understand Saudi dialect to watch it?

No. While the audio is in Arabic (Saudi dialect), Netflix provides English subtitles that do a good job of translating the humor and context for non-Arabic speakers.

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