Once Upon a Time in the Middle East vs Under the Shadow
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has the higher audience score (9.2/10 against 6.5/10 for Under the Shadow). Under the Shadow is the shorter watch at 1h 24m compared with 2h 20m. Under the Shadow is the older of the two (2016 against 2026). Both are drama, war movies, so they suit a similar mood.
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Under the Shadow| Once Upon a Time in the Middle East | Under the Shadow | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience score | ★ 9.2/10 | ★ 6.5/10 |
| Year | 2026 | 2016 |
| Length | 2h 20m | 1h 24m |
| Genres | Drama, War | Drama, Horror, War |
| Country | – | – |
| Director | Wen Muye | Babak Anvari |
| Main cast | Aarif Rahman, Jiang Qiming, Wei Qing, Michael Koltes, Zhang Xiwei | Narges Rashidi, Bobby Naderi, Ray Haratian, Hamid Djavadan, Arash Marandi |
Synopsis
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off family debts, where he meets floor manager Ma Junsheng. Their Dragon Restaurant rises to fame, attracting crowds with authentic‑tasting Chinese food. But war breaks out, and local conditions take a drastic turn for the worse. No one can remain unaffected. What lies ahead for them? And how will the Dragon Restaurant hold on amid the war?
Under the Shadow
After Shideh's building is hit by a missile during the Iran-Iraq War, a superstitious neighbor suggests that the missile was cursed and might be carrying malevolent Middle-Eastern spirits. She becomes convinced a supernatural force within the building is attempting to possess her daughter Dorsa, and she has no choice but to confront these forces if she is to save her daughter and herself.
Where to watch
Where to watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle EastWhere to watch Under the Shadow
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