Roya is a determined girl with a thirst for knowledge, a passion for learning, and a desire to master everything there is to know about computers.
Her ambition would be celebrated in most of the world.
Yet, in her home country of Afghanistan, her aspirations are met with resistance.
Education in Afghanistan is -- primarily -- for boys. Afghan girls can attend school … but only through sixth grade. Such Taliban-inspired rules are heartbreaking for Roya, who desires to break free from societal limitations.
When computers are introduced into her school's classroom in the 1990s, the teacher asks Roya and the other girls to leave.
"Girls, outside," he orders.
But as Roya grows older, her determination to learn only strengthens.
One day, she notices a row of public computers in a local shop. The owner bought them to charge customers for use, yet he himself doesn't even know how to turn them on. She offers him a deal: If he lets her use them for one hour each morning before the shop opens, then she, in turn, will teach him. He agrees.
Roya transforms into a computer wizard.
Now, though, she is determined to teach other girls how to use them, too.
The new Angel Studios movie Rule Breakers (PG) follows Roya as she pushes back against societal norms and ignores death threats to teach countless Afghan girls how to use what the rest of the world takes for granted: computers. Then, in order to attract worldwide attention, she enters the brightest students into a competition involving homemade robots -- a competition that could take them to Europe and even the United States.
"It'll show our girls in a new light," she says.
Here are three things about this film that will inspire you.
Photo Credit: ©Angel Studios
1. It's Based on an Incredible True Story
1. It's Based on an Incredible True Story
Rule Breakers is based on the true story of Roya Mahboob, a trailblazing Afghan entrepreneur who defied societal barriers to empower young girls with technology and education. She launched the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, which was dubbed the Afghan Dreamers based on the stark reality they faced: As of 2022, the literacy rate in Afghanistan for women was 22.6 percent compared to 52.1 percent for men. The Dreamers competed at a time when the Taliban was out of power, even though their influence still loomed large.
Robotics competitions, if you've never seen one, feature teams building remote-controlled, homemade robots designed to tackle specific challenges and compete in problem-solving events. In Rule Breakers, Roya launches a robotics team with the goal of sparking local interest from girls who had never touched a computer while also attracting national and international attention.
Initially, though, the team underestimates the challenge ahead. Roya's team orders a robot, not realizing it will require the assembly of dozens upon dozens of parts -- not to mention in-depth computer coding.
"This is just a pile of parts," one of the girls says, confused.
Photo Credit: ©Angel Studios
2. It's a Powerful Tale of Courage and Perseverance
2. It's a Powerful Tale of Courage and Perseverance
The all-girls Afghan Dreamers encounter obstacle upon obstacle. They order essential components but watch as the package gets stuck in customs, an agent mistakenly assuming it's a bomb. They're accepted into an international competition in the United States yet are unable to travel as a team due to their nation of origin and their past travel history. (One of the girls had recently visited her grandmother in Iran.) They place among the top five in a major competition and travel home joyfully, only to be surrounded by bombings in their home city.
Of course, their biggest roadblock is a patriarchal society that believes girls should not be educated, much less traveling the world competing in tech-focused events. That tension comes to a head when one of the girls is photographed signing the shirt of a male Denmark contestant -- a seemingly harmless gesture that is plastered on the front pages of newspapers around the world. For that moment of innocence, the girl's father yanks her from the competition. Critics in Afghanistan label Roya a "whore."
It's an inspiring tale of courage, determination and perseverance. Yes, the girls encounter men who seek to crush their dreams, but just as many men step forward to lift their spirits. "If boys can use the computers, then so can the girls," Roya's father tells her.
Director Bill Guttentag told Crosswalk the story is one that should inspire all Americans.
"I think we can all agree everyone should have equal rights, no matter where they're born, what their sex is," he said. "You should have opportunities. And I think that this is a film that celebrates these opportunities and celebrates kind of a quiet heroism."
Photo Credit: ©Angel Studios
3. It Has the Intensity of a Sports Drama
3. It Has the Intensity of a Sports Drama
Rule Breakers is an early contender for the best feel-good film of 2025. It has the heart of Miracle, the underdog spirit of Rudy, and the grit of Hoosiers. For families, it has only minor content concerns (see below).
Lead actress Nikohl Boosheri is captivating as Roya, as are the four young actresses who portray the all-girls team—each of whom is of Afghan or Iranian descent. With a soundtrack featuring Middle Eastern pop and filming locations in Morocco and Hungary, the film delivers an authentic atmosphere essential to its subject. The script smartly makes robotics easy to understand, allowing viewers to follow the team's challenges and triumphs.
The film's final 30 minutes includes edge-of-your-seat suspense, as we watch the girls race against the clock to not only build a robot but also to repair a vital part. It has the gripping intensity more common in films about, say, basketball.
Rule Breakers is the type of true story that opens your eyes while simultaneously giving you hope for the world.
Rule Breakers is rated PG for thematic material and some violent content. Language: Misuse of "God" (1), OMG (2 times, both in a Black Eyed Peas song). "Slut” and "whore” are each said in one brief scene. Violence: Roya and several passengers come under fire while in a car but manage to survive. Sexuality: The all-girls team, while visiting another country, sneaks out of a hotel at night and visits a dance club. We see a few couples kiss and dance suggestively. Other elements: Roya and the girls are, of course, Muslim. We see one girl praying for forgiveness after touching another boy. "Allah forgives that," Roya tells her.
Discussion questions for families: How does Rule Breakers challenge your perspective on education and the world? How does it reshape your view of the blessings of the Western way of life?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Family-friendly rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Photo Credit: ©Angel Studios
Originally published March 13, 2025.
