Naga is like font options on an advertising dollar sign: it makes bold choices that pay off. This Saudi drama version of The Hangover tells the tale of a modern young woman who tries to escape the tight restraints of her family and her society for one wild night on a first vdate. Her drug-fueled fever dream includes rabid cancel attacks, gangs on quads, police raids, ice cream vendors, charlatan poets and soccer matches and that's not the half of it. The story is above average but writer / director Meshal Al Jaser takes it up more than a couple notches with his strong directing, whose touch is felt in nearly every scene. Exciting, engaging, and intense, Naga refuses to look back past every barrier it breaks through.

I expected the worst and I was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed it.