releases since the pandemic closed most cinemas, reportedly opening on 2,400 screens in 1,724 locations. The conservative answer to such Middle East-set films as “Rendition” and “Syriana,” “Infidel” is one of the widest exclusive-to-theaters U.S. Also interesting: She doesn’t share his faith, having abandoned Christianity after a car accident claimed their unborn child - an unnecessarily traumatic flashback inserted early in a film struggling to look like more than a straight-to-video faith-based thriller. A strong character in her own right, Liz works for the State Department, which puts her in a decent position to help rescue Doug from his captors when the time comes. But his wife, Liz (Claudia Karvan), recognizes the risk when her husband turns his Cairo invitation into an opportunity to proselytize. Beneath this veneer of glossy excitement, however, lies a rather straightforward Christian parable about standing up for what you believe in.Ĭoming from the mouth of the actor who played Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” Doug’s “He is God” declaration is meant to represent conviction, not carelessness.

It features several decent fight scenes, explosions and chases (one involving a helicopter), and some impressive locations work as Jordan doubles for several countries. On the surface, “Infidel” appears to be a straightforward Middle East-set thriller - the kind that reaffirms Americans’ xenophobic impulses, wherein Muslims fulfill the worst stereotypes and traditional music played over views of dusty foreign cities is meant to put viewers on edge. The latest film from controversial writer-director Cyrus Nowrasteh (“The Path to 9/11”), “Infidel” actually opens with a forward glimpse of Doug facing a firing squad on a Tehran rooftop, so we know from the jump that his Cairo visit didn’t go well. Less surprising to all parties, Doug is kidnapped from his hotel room by angry Muslims a few hours later.

“And He wants to be your God.” The audience (within the film, but surely not the one watching it) is stunned at Doug’s audacity. “We love Jesus Christ,” the man says, after which Doug pauses for a moment, weighing his words, before rejecting the figurative olive branch. The Muslim host seeks commonalities between the two faiths.

In “ Infidel,” Jim Caviezel plays Christian blogger Doug Rawlins, who travels to Cairo to participate in a televised conference on religion.

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