Rule Breakers
March 5th, 2025
MOVIE: RULE BREAKERS
STARRING: NIKOHL BOOSHERI, ALI FAZAL, NOORIN GULAMGAUS
DIRECTED BY: BILL GUTTENTAG
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 120 MINUTES
Rule Breakers tells the true story of Afghanistan’s 2017 all-girls robotics team and their inspiring journey to compete on the world stage despite immense obstacles. Led by Roya Mahboob, the team of six teenage girls defied the odds at a time when education for women in Afghanistan was severely restricted. Their story is one of resilience, thwarted by misogyny, racism, and even U.S. immigration policies during the Trump administration. The team’s determination to succeed in the face of these hurdles is a testament to their brilliance and courage.
At the heart of the film is Mahboob, portrayed powerfully by Nikohl Boosheri. A passionate advocate for women’s education, she pushes through her struggles to provide opportunities for Afghan women, connecting with tech entrepreneur Samir Sinha (Ali Fazal) to launch a nationwide computer education program. What begins as basic coding soon evolves into building robots, showcasing the team’s ingenuity and teamwork. Rule Breakers truly shines when it focuses on the teamwork and technical achievements of these young women.
The film’s message carries a weight of sadness. In 2025, nearly eight years after these events, the struggles women face worldwide—particularly in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has once again banned female education—still feel painfully relevant. The story of this robotics team is a fleeting but bright moment in the ongoing fight for equality, reminding us that women across the globe continue to battle systemic discrimination in education, politics, and beyond.
Director Bill Guttentag strikes a balance between the harsh realities and the triumphant highs, with a screenplay co-written by Guttentag, Mahboob, and Jason Brown. The young cast, including Sara Malal Rowe, Nada El Belkasmi, Amber Afzali, and Nina Hosseinzadeh, delivers impressive performances that capture the spirit of the team. The film’s documentary-like style immerses the audience in the fierce global competition, showcasing the brilliance of young minds from all corners of the world.
Though Rule Breakers is not without flaws—moments of cheesiness, budget limitations, and a runtime that could be trimmed—it is ultimately a heartwarming and essential story. At a time when the Taliban actively prevents Afghan girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade, films like this remind us of the importance of education for all, regardless of gender. Rule Breakers is a powerful and inspiring testament to the resilience of women everywhere.
3 STARS
RULE BREAKERS IS PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS FRIDAY MARCH 7TH, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
