King Saud

“King Saud is the rarest of pure indie films, written and directed in a retro L.A. Noir style … a pastiche of styles from West Coast Noir films. There are influences from To Live and Die in L.A., L.A. Confidential, Chinatown, and even as far back as The Maltese Falcon, to name just a few.”

“King Saud feels like a film from yesteryear while distinctly being a film from now … took balls to make, as it is a film that could definitely ruffle some feathers. King Saud is a gritty twist filled crime drama with interesting characters, great performances, a shocking ending and more than its fair share of excellent dialogue.”

“A new independent neo-noir murder mystery that combines classic mystery elements with social commentary. If you enjoy a dark, gritty slower burn murder mystery you will enjoy King Saud. The larger statements the director makes about politics and people are woven into an interesting story. The performances really drive this story to a satisfying ending.”

“King Saud harks back to classic detective noir with a blend of international intrigue and murder mystery. Mark Toma delivers a commendable performance as Det. Wolfe. Kate Orsini truly shines. Mike Saad also deserves special mention for his compelling portrayal of Al Mahir, bringing complexity and excellence to his role. King Saud weaves an engaging story that should keep viewers guessing until the final scene. Worth a watch.”

“King Saud is a compelling international murder mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The strong performances from the leads, particularly Kate Orsini as Det. Lynch, brought a lot of depth to this story. Mark Toma, who juggles roles as writer, director, producer and star, still manages to create something truly intriguing and watchable. The haunting flugelhorn score contrasts well with the corrupt Middle Eastern royalty and their oppressed minions, while the depiction of corruption within the LAPD adds another layer of realism. It’s definitely worth a watch.”

“Kate Orsini and Mark Toma have wonderful chemistry as seemingly mismatched partners with more in common as the film goes on. Solidly written characters that could have veered into cliché but rarely misstep. A scene stealing Michael Saad owns all his scenes as the Prince’s butler Al Mahir. Every line Saad delivers is both playful and sinister and even though you think you might have a beat as to where the character is going, you’re very rarely correct. A compelling mystery, worth a watch.”

“Writer/Director Mark Toma weaves an intriguing story, Kate Orsini gives a strong performance, Mike Saad is a delight and steals the show. [Like Chinatown] continually confronted by its web of deceit, our thoroughly conflicted characters know how powerless Nicholson felt in 1974. But for all of Jake’s faults, the iconic character still hedged closer to the letter of the law. Conversely, these anti-heroes aren’t so encumbered, and even our guilt is alleviated when the real bad guys find out, this ain’t Chinatown.”

“King Saud is a mystery thriller that ambitiously intertwines Hollywood glitz, international intrigue and dark personal struggles. Standout Mike Saad brings a theatrical refinement to his role, presenting the character with a magnetism that makes every scene he’s in compelling. The film has a deliberate sensual and erotic appeal to it which is captured through Wolfe and Lynch’s tumultuous relationship. Their steamy trysts are tastefully shot. Toma has a unique style and voice as a storyteller, weaving together themes of personal betrayal, political intrigue and societal decay.”

“The crime drama/mystery genre gets a pretty robust shot in the arm with this effective new release, King Saud. The multi-layered and gripping story along with overarching themes of integrity, deception, conscience and betrayal make the movie hard to turn away from. Wily characters, frequently sharp dialogue and a dose of eroticism. Writer-director Mark Toma does a notable job at penning a thoughtful screenplay. Saad’s lines are pregnant with poetry and profundity and are well-delivered by the actor, accompanied by a sexy trumpet, an homage to film noir. If you want close to two hours of well-conceived gore and guts, imbued in the spectre of mystery, pay a visit to King Saud.”

“In the world of film noir King Saud stands out by diving into a particularly complex context. Goes beyond a simple mystery thriller, offering a thorough analysis of police corruption and morality in extreme situations. The film’s aesthetic plays a fundamental role in the construction of its film noir atmosphere. Through carefully crafted photography, the film employs shadows, contrasts and close-ups to heighten the sense of imminent danger. Mark Toma manages to immerse the audience in a dense and psychologically complex atmosphere, elevating the plot beyond the superficial mystery to offer a thriller that challenges the conventions of the genre.”

“The real standout is Mike Saad as Al Mahir, the eccentric assistant whose flamboyant, sinister presence steals every scene he’s in. Is he playing it over the top on purpose? It’s hard to say, but it’s impossible to look away. What King Saud lacks in polish, it makes up for in sheer audacity. The script is an overstuffed tangle of ideas, from scathing commentary on systemic corruption to a subplot involving the homophobic Wolfe being taunted by Al Mahir’s queer rebellion. Director Mark Toma clearly set out to make a film with something to say, and while the execution is uneven at best, there’s an earnestness to King Saud that’s hard to dismiss. The film tackles themes of societal rage, systemic collapse, and personal redemption with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, but it’s this very lack of finesse that makes it compelling.”