The Saudi film "A Matter of Life or Death" is considered by some critics as one of the best romantic films in the history of Saudi cinema and a standout work of 2026, yet this acclaim has not been equally reflected at the box office.

During its weeks of screening, it accumulated revenues of 1.7 million riyals from the sale of 33,600 tickets. According to its director Anas BatHaf speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah, this result is acceptable for a mid-budget romantic comedy, but remains below the critical enthusiasm the work received.

Mon, 06 2026

BatHaf stated that he made this film to express human relationships and ideas that personally occupy him, with a strong belief in the importance of presenting a story that differs at the narrative level before the visual; a story that represents those like him from his generation, and their daily psychological struggles that capture their moments of silence before sleep. The film asks a question about the importance of love amid the absurdity of life, and tests obsession and the desire for control in the face of abandonment and surrender, a dilemma that "worries me personally."

He mentioned that he tried to present a satirical romantic comedy loaded with drama and a touch of fantasy, without straying from human emotions. Jeddah was present in the film, not just as a filming location, but as a spirit, memory, and environment he loves. The city appears in its small details as a third protagonist in the film, in the alleys and personal spaces that shelter his solitude and rejoice in his joy, in the rhythm of speech, the musicality of the dialect, and the way people express love. Romance does not live in a vacuum; it needs a place that gives it features, and enchanting Jeddah with its beautiful fountain was the place closest to his heart and to this story.

Mon, 08 2026

Regarding the director's view of the film's box office trajectory, he said that usually, after the opening in the first two weeks, the film begins to take its natural course in discussions on social media, and here comes the power of what is known as "word of mouth." We are betting that the audience's interaction with the film will give it a longer life at the box office, especially if the talk about it turns into recommendations among viewers. This makes us believe it will remain present for a long time in theaters.

BatHaf explained that the film received material and moral support from producers and investors who fully believed in the project, its "unconventional" story, and his "different" directorial vision, foremost among them Professor and friend Mohamed Hefzy, to whom he is extremely grateful. This generous support gave him greater creative space and kept him away from any pressures that might affect the quality of the experience. On the contrary, it was an enriching experience with their expertise and advice, which they never withheld. Having this belief in him, the film, and the team helped him focus on the story and execute it in the best possible way, without losing his balance between artistic ambition and production calculations as both director and producer of the work.

Tue, 07 2026

The film's director mentioned that through this work, he tried to present a Saudi cinematic experience close to the audience with its characters and themes, combining artistic quality, enjoyment, and entertainment. It is the type of film he personally likes to watch—films that carry high artistic value but within an easily accessible public framework, without entering into huge budgets that might pressure profitability. They hope to open a wider space for more diverse Saudi films in the market.