‘Love in Slow Motion’ (2026) Netflix Movie Review - An Old-School Rom-Com That Still Feels Fresh

This Arabic language sure will lighten up the mood. Love in Slow Motion follows the plot of Haya, a young woman who has spent years treating her best friend Jawad as nothing more than a friend. She has never acknowledged his deeper feelings until Jawad announces his engagement to a successful and beautiful actress, Zeina. Suddenly, she was now forced to confront feelings she never thought existed. This makes her go on a mission to get her man back, whom she now realizes she is madly in love with. Yes, yes, the plot is similar to so many classic romcoms we have seen before. But sometimes, there is a lot of fun and comfort in watching “old wine in a new bottle,” right? This is exactly what Love in Slow Motion does to us. There is a lot of emotional complexity in the plot that comes beneath the fun elements. A serious question is also posed to us viewers: what happens when you discover that the love you have been searching for so long has been beside you all along?

Nour Al Ghandour is a showstopper. She makes the character of Haya relatable. Whether she is figuring out her feelings or creating blogs on heartbreak, these are things many people resort to. She is funny, in a cute manner, and it is indeed sweet to watch her. Her portrayal of Haya is genuine and honest. Ali Kakooli as Jawad brings a sense of warmth and softness to his role. The way he shows a man who is deeply in love with his “friend” is heartwarming to watch. Together with Nour Al Ghandour, a dynamic chemistry is created on screen by the leads. Even the supporting cast is great with their roles. Noha Nabil as Zeina has quite a weight to her role. The other characters, such as Haya’s outspoken aunt and supportive sister, add humor and a sense of depth to the overall plot.

A lot of credit goes to director Elie El Semaan for making a plot that, though it has been seen many times before, is still worth a watch. There are a lot of happy-go-lucky vibes that are passed in the plot, which can make anyone feel great. However, even with that, once or twice while watching, it will hit you that you already know the plot. Some of the most sought-after cliché moments exist. While there is no harm in this, many viewers might ultimately lose interest in what they are watching. And fairly so; even after so many decades, one doesn’t feel like watching something which is so “Hollywood-inspired” after all.

The pacing is uneven. Some scenes are stretched for no reason while some are brisk and short. But if you like the plot, then perhaps you will be ready to ignore that. So all in all, if you are someone who is a fan of Nour Al Ghandour, Ali Kakooli, or romcoms in general, Love in Slow Motion is a great watch for you. It is deliberate, sweet, and something that you might want to watch just to feel good. And many times, that is all you need.

Final Score - [6/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times