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The Little Sister

Play trailer Poster for The Little Sister 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 32 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
When Fatima leaves her close-knit suburban family to study philosophy in Paris, she finds herself caught between her religious upbringing and the freedom of student life in the city.
The Little Sister

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Critics Consensus

The Little Sister is a restrained yet powerful coming-of-age drama, elevated by Nadia Melliti's standout performance and an empathetic directorial touch that makes its familiar themes feel deeply personal.

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Cast & Crew

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Hafsia Herzi

Director

Nadia Melliti

Fatima

Park Ji-min

Ji-Na

Amina Ben Mohamed

Actor

Rita Benmannana

Actor

Melissa Guers

Actor

Critics Reviews

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Melissa Anderson 4Columns Mar 10
Often [Nadia Melliti's] untutored acting style felicitously highlights the fragility of Fatima’s butch, tomboyish bravado; at other times, Melliti’s lack of acting experience simply translates as awkward stiffness before the camera. Go to Full Review Tomris Laffly Elle Jun 10
Where a lesser movie would have milked the conservative Muslim family trope (which this Muslim critic has had enough of), The Little Sister fashions a beautiful mother-daughter scene where unconditional love is deeply felt and packs a universal punch. Go to Full Review Justin Chang The New Yorker Jun 2
French filmmaker Hafsia Herzi has a sensitive touch with actors. In her warm and absorbing drama “The Little Sister,” she coaxes quietly powerful work from Nadia Melliti as Fatima. Go to Full Review Luis Martínez El Mundo (Spain) Mar 13
3/5
Hafsia Herzi crafts a delicate coming-of-age drama from the magnetism and silence of debutante actress Nadia Melliti. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Javier Ocaña El Pais (Spain) Mar 13
But all of that pales in comparison to the sheer force of [Hafsia Herzi's] message, her boldness, and her truth—which, being her own and delivered so freely, leaves little room for criticism. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Jordi Batlle Caminal Fotogramas Mar 12
3/5
The Little Sister had all the makings of a run-of-the-mill social commentary film with a built-in message. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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The Little Sister

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Fatima leaves her close-knit suburban family to study philosophy in Paris, she finds herself caught between her religious upbringing and the freedom of student life in the city.
Director
Hafsia Herzi
Producer
Julie Billy, Naomi Denamur
Screenwriter
Hafsia Herzi
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Production Co
June Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 48m