Not Without My Daughter

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Not Without My Daughter

PG-13

Released Jan 11, 1991

1h 50m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

50%

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16 Reviews

71%

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10,000+ Ratings

Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field) is an American woman married to "Moody" (Alfred Molina), an Iranian-American living in the United States. When Moody informs her that he wants her and their daughter, Mahtob (Sheila Rosenthal), to visit Iran with him, Betty is reluctant because of the country's harsh treatment of women. When the family arrives in Iran, Betty discovers that her husband plans to stay in the country for good, and has no intention of letting her or Mahtob return to the United States.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Here is a perplexing and frustrating film, which works with great skill to involve our emotions, while at the same time making moral and racial assertions that are deeply troubling.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The film touches on a nerve not completely under anesthesia and, in its moments of tension, is very, very powerful. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 12, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Controversy has long dogged this real-life tale, but it's nevertheless fairly engrossing.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 29, 2018

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 31, 2005

Full Review

Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

relentlessly ugly

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 21, 2005

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Sally Field gives an emotionally-rich performance

Rated: 3/5

Mar 24, 2005

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Carlos I

"Not Without My Daughter," while a powerful and emotionally resonant film, is undeniably fraught with the potential for controversy and accusations of xenophobia, despite its basis in true events. This is a real shame, as at its core, it's a gripping and deeply moving story of a mother's fight for her child, anchored by a truly dynamite and unforgettable performance from Sally Field.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Alec B

Not Without My Daughter is a gripping and emotionally charged film that shines brightest thanks to the powerful performances of Sally Field and young Sheila Rosenthal. Their portrayals of a mother and daughter trapped in a harrowing situation are both heart-wrenching and deeply compelling with Field bringing nuance and strength to the role, capturing the desperation, courage, and fierce maternal love driving her character’s quest for freedom. While the film’s lack of translated subtitles at key moments limits audience understanding and its portrayal of Iranian men risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes, it nonetheless succeeds as a tense, suspenseful story of resilience and survival, highlighting the terrifying reality of spousal coercion and the strength required to escape it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Diane H

Excellent, exciting movie. And it's a true story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Clinton L

Random movie night watch, and was sucked into the dramatic plot provided. A wave of emotion. Even though I am not a parent, I could see this tugging on the emotional heart strings of parents from all generations. I good movie to add to the watchlist with that 90's flow.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

John S B C

A must see movie, although from 1991 this powerful story shows the love and trust between mother and daughter to end their captivity in Iran and escape from being forced into another culture……

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

Full Review

jan l

Evocative and powerful, the movie made me feel a lot if empathy for Betty's terrifying predicament. The fact that it's a true story makes it even stronger.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/01/23

Full Review

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Brian Gilbert

Director

Sally Field

Betty Mahmoody

Alfred Molina

Moody

Sheila Rosenthal

Mahtob

Roshan Seth

Houssein

Sarah Badel

Nicole

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - Paradise

1:14

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - Where Have You Been?

2:23

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - Will You Translate for Me?

2:13

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - I Want My Baby!

1:21

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - I Forgot Toby Bunny

1:05

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - I Won't Leave Her

2:11

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - You Can't Leave Her Here

2:14

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - We're Home

1:12

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - An Iranian Citizen

2:59

Not Without My Daughter: Official Clip - I Want Us to Live in Iran

2:46

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Synopsis

Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field) is an American woman married to "Moody" (Alfred Molina), an Iranian-American living in the United States. When Moody informs her that he wants her and their daughter, Mahtob (Sheila Rosenthal), to visit Iran with him, Betty is reluctant because of the country's harsh treatment of women. When the family arrives in Iran, Betty discovers that her husband plans to stay in the country for good, and has no intention of letting her or Mahtob return to the United States.

Director: Brian Gilbert
Producer: Harry J. Ufland, Mary Jane Ufland
Screenwriter: Betty Mahmoody, William Hoffer, David W. Rintels
Production Co: Pathé Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 1991, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.0M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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