Shelter (2017)
A taut spy thriller about two women — one Israeli, one Lebanese — confined to a Hamburg safehouse where trust is the most dangerous weapon of all.
Shelter - Movie Information
- Original Title: Shelter
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Eran Riklis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 19, 2017 (Brazil), April 6, 2018 (United States), August 9, 2018 (Germany), July 4, 2018 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Barınak (TR), Abrigo (BR)
- Production Companies: Heimatfilm, Eran Riklis Productions, Riva Film, MACT Productions
- Production Countries: France, Germany, Israel
Shelter - Plot
Naomi, an Israeli Mossad agent, is sent to Germany to protect Mona, a Lebanese informant recovering from plastic surgery to assume her new identity. Together for two weeks in a quiet apartment in Hamburg, the relationship that develops between the two women is soon exposed to the threat of terror that is engulfing the world today. In this game of deception, beliefs are questioned, choices are made, and their fate takes a surprising turn.
Shelter - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold inside the safehouse:
Two women trapped in a safehouse where nothing is safe and no one can be trusted.
Where to Watch Shelter
Looking for where to watch Shelter?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Shelter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Eran Riklis
Main Cast
- Golshifteh Farahani
- Neta Riskin
- Yehuda Almagor
- Doraid Liddawi
- Haluk Bilginer
- Lior Ashkenazi
- Mark Waschke
- Dagmar von Kurmin
- Ronald Kukulies
- David A. Hamade
Writers
- Eran Riklis
Shelter - FAQs
What is Shelter (2017) about?
Shelter follows Naomi, an Israeli Mossad agent assigned to protect Mona, a Lebanese informant recovering from plastic surgery in a Hamburg apartment. Confined together for two weeks, the two women develop an unexpected bond while the threat of terrorism and a web of deception close in around them.
Does Shelter explore the Israeli-Arab conflict through its characters?
Absolutely. The film places an Israeli spy and a Lebanese informant in the same confined space, turning their forced proximity into a quiet study of identity, trust, and shared humanity. Director Eran Riklis uses their relationship to examine how political divides dissolve — and persist — on a deeply personal level.
Where can you stream Shelter (2017)?
You can stream Shelter on Amazon Prime Video or watch it free with ads on Tubi TV, Fandango at Home Free, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video, and Fandango at Home. Kanopy and Hoopla offer it for free with a library card.
What makes the two lead performances stand out?
Golshifteh Farahani and Neta Riskin carry the film almost entirely on their own. Farahani brings a layered vulnerability to Mona, a woman literally reinventing herself, while Riskin plays Naomi with cool professionalism that gradually cracks. Their chemistry is the film's beating heart, making the confined setting feel rich rather than restrictive.
Who directed Shelter and what is his background?
Shelter was directed by Eran Riklis, an Israeli filmmaker known for politically charged dramas that explore the human cost of Middle Eastern conflict. He also wrote the screenplay. Riklis previously directed The Syrian Bride and Lemon Tree, both acclaimed for their nuanced portrayals of life on the fault lines of the Israeli-Arab divide.
Is Shelter based on a true story?
Shelter is not based on a specific true story, but it draws on the very real world of intelligence operations, informant protection, and the use of plastic surgery to create new identities. Riklis grounds the thriller in plausible tradecraft, giving the story a sense of authenticity even as the characters and plot are fictional.
What similar films would fans of Shelter enjoy?
If Shelter resonated with you, try The Operative (2019), another tense spy drama set in the Middle East, or Atomic Blonde (2017) for a stylish female-led espionage thriller. The Debt (2010) and Munich (2005) offer similarly grounded takes on Mossad operations, while Hanna (2011) shares the theme of a woman shaped by intelligence work.
How was Shelter received by critics?
Shelter received a mixed but respectful critical reception. Reviewers consistently praised the two lead performances and the film's intimate atmosphere, with Golshifteh Farahani drawing particular attention. Some critics felt the thriller mechanics were understated, but the character-driven tension and Riklis's restrained direction were widely appreciated as the film's real strengths.
More About Shelter
Explore further details about Shelter on these authoritative resources: