The Sand Castle: Full cast list explored

The Sand Castle, released on January 24, 2025, is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of a fractured family—Yasmine, Nabil, and their children, Adam and Jana—as they navigate the challenges of being stranded on an isolated island. The movie deals with their personal and collective trauma as the story unfolds.

It makes for a gripping tale of resilience and despair. An important aspect that contributes to the movie's haunting atmosphere and positive reviews is the stellar cast and production team. Here is a list of the entire cast and their roles in the film.

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The cast list of The Sand Castle

1) Nadine Labaki as Yasmine

Nadine Labaki is a Lebanese filmmaker and actress highly acclaimed for acting and directing. In this film, she plays the role of Yasmine, the family's mother. One of her prominent directorial works is Capernaum (2018), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

In The Sand Castle, Labaki gives a tremendous performance as a mother who tries to protect her family from the bitter realities of their situation.

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2) Ziad Bakri as Nabil

Still from the movie (Image via YouTube/MVSRS)

Ziad Bakri plays the role of Nabil, the father, and the family's anchor. Bakri is a Palestinian actor and filmmaker who has appeared in movies such as The Salt of This Sea (2008) and Screwdriver (2018).

In The Sand Castle, Nabil is a determined yet imperfect figure trying to lead his family to safety. His character's choices and inner conflict are some of the most significant parts of the film, depicting the burden of responsibility and the struggles of moving into an unknown future.

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3) Riman Al Rafeea as Jana

Still from the movie (Image via YouTube/MVSRS)

Riman Al Rafeea plays Jana, the youngest child in the family. Riman is a young Syrian actress who received attention after playing alongside Zain Al Rafeea in Capernaum (2018).

In The Sand Castle, Jana represents innocence and hope amid the mess surrounding her. The act of building sandcastles adds layers to the metaphorical storytelling of childhood and resilience in the film. Riman's performance deepens Jana and makes her the center of the film.

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4) Zain Al Rafeea as Adam

Still from the movie (Image via YouTube/MVSRS)

Adam is the elder sibling portrayed by Zain Al Rafeea, taking on the protector role as challenges pile up in the family. Like Riman, Zain came to fame with Capernaum (2018), in which his powerful portrayal of a young boy facing hardship led to critical acclaim.

In the movie, Adam's character evolves a lot as he is compelled to face his fears and take responsibilities beyond his years. Zain's performance captures the complexity of a child caught between innocence and the harsh realities of survival.

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Production team of The Sand Castle

Director Matty Brown, with co-writers Hend Fakhroo and Yassmina Karajah, tells a gripping story of survival and isolation. Jeremy Snell's cinematography brings the island to life, showcasing the contrast between its beauty and unforgiving nature. Production designer Lionel Soria adds depth through thoughtful details like sandcastles and shelters that mirror the family's struggles.

The cast in The Sand Castle (2025) adds authentic depth that Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Riman Al Rafeea, and Zain Al Rafeea bring to their characters, which allows audiences to connect with their struggles and emotions. When combined with the vision of Matty Brown and his team, the cast's contributions ensure that The Sand Castle leaves a lasting impact.

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Catch the psychological thriller The Sand Castle now streaming on Netflix.