Love Is Blind: Habibi

I dove into Habibi expecting "Love Is Blind" vibes-with pods, romance, and emotional reveals. What I didn't expect was the intensity: cultural collision, rapid-fire commitments, and some jaw-dropping moments that made me rethink what this franchise can be. It's uncomfortable, raw, and... easy to binge.

✅ What Left an Impression

1. Cultural layers feel real Viewers noted how affectionate it feels: "Everyone is habibi... a very affectionate culture". Scenes of families, traditions, and respect toward elders grounded the show in a different reality than the US versions.

2. Fierce women pushing boundaries Some men came off controlling, but the women often pushed back hard. One Redditor called it "a season of strong women who stood their ground". That resistance made me respect a few contestants even more.

3. Wholesome structure (no sex) feels refreshing No couples sleep in the same room, no overshadowing PDA.

4. Binge format adds momentum All episodes dropped at once, so no waiting for cliffhangers-great for a quick, immersive watch.

❌ What Didn't Work for Me

1. Toxic moments hit hard Some men displayed controlling behavior-straight up bullies... expecting subservience. That tone made the show painful at times. It felt like embarrassing... cringe.

2. Choppy storytelling and odd editing Rapid-fire pacing, abrupt cuts, awkward dubbing-some scenes felt disjointed. The editing seemed choppy... pacing seemed rapid.

3. Lack of real conversations Many interactions felt surface-level or forced-"painfully boring... superficial". That left me doubting how real these connections were.

4. Narrow casting holds it back I need to point out the lack of diversity- light-skinned models... no hijabi women-which made the show feel less authentic to the region's true spectrum.

🌟 Final Thoughts

It is so bad it's good. It is every horrible stereotype about Arab men and women turned up to 1000 😂😂😂 but I am too busy laughing.

Love Is Blind: Habibi is a messy cultural experiment full of shock, tradition, and raw emotion. It's not the polished drama of the original-it's rougher, more vulnerable, and gets under your skin-sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. It's the franchise reimagined through a totally different lens.

If you're up for refreshing traditions, family drama, and moments that make you cringe and cheer, it's worth the watch. Just brace yourself.

🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:

1. Love Is Blind: Japan - Culture clash meets emotional slow-burn

2. Marriage or Mortgage - Cultural expectations, big financial decisions

3. Arranged (Documentary) - Real-life view into cultural matchmaking

4. Perfect Match (Netflix) - Global dating chaos with high stakes

5. Indian Matchmaking - Tradition, family, and dating pressure.

Many of the reviews for Love is Blind: Habibi begin with commenters claiming to understand the culture, only to then give it a low rating due to how they perceive the men's behavior or how they feel the women are being treated. While it's easy to apply a Western lens, it's essential to truly grasp the Middle Eastern cultural context before making such judgments.

Yes, the women in this series are strong, independent, and capable-there is no doubt about that. But understanding their strength within the framework of Middle Eastern culture is key. In these cultures, women often seek partners who deeply respect their faith, their families, and the traditions they uphold. It's a misconception to think that their independence is somehow diminished because they value a partner who respects the same beliefs. For example, respecting parental input in their romantic choices isn't about submission-it's about honoring family, a central pillar of many Middle Eastern households.

What many reviewers overlook is the importance of cultural norms embedded in the show, like placing God and family at the heart of decision-making. Unlike other Love is Blind versions where it's primarily about the individuals, Love is Blind: Habibi beautifully demonstrates how love is shaped by family blessings and faith. In many Western versions of the show, families meet the partners but don't hold much influence over the final decision. Here, we see how vital it is to secure not only personal compatibility but also the approval and blessings of loved ones-something deeply valued in Middle Eastern and Muslim cultures.

I personally found the series to be an excellent window into Middle Eastern and Muslim life, especially for viewers unfamiliar with the nuances of these traditions. Yes, some of the men have strong, culturally-rooted views that may not align with Western ideals. And yes, the women-who are fiercely independent-are looking for a partner who understands and respects their culture, values, and beliefs.

However, I give it a 9 out of 10 due to the language barrier issue throughout the series. Several different languages were spoken, including French, which caused confusion among some of the couples who didn't fully understand one another. I wish there had been stricter rules requiring participants to speak their native languages and English to avoid these misunderstandings.

That aside, Love is Blind means different things in different parts of the world. It's not just about individuals, but also about families, faith, and the values that hold them together. That's what makes Love is Blind: Habibi stand out. If you approach it with an open mind, you'll find a rich cultural experience that speaks volumes about love, family, and faith in the Middle Eastern world.

This show is crazy. The men fly off the handle at the slightest sign of "disrespect" from "their" woman. Very controlling.

Most of the women are very conceited and self absorbed. The one called Noor is the worst. With her enhanced lips and crappy attitude it makes the show almost unwatchable. She touches her hair every damn second and I just can't with her.

I do like that they all stay in their own rooms and there is very little alcohol. That part is kind of refreshing. I'm only a few episodes in and will probably keep watching it only because it is like a train wreck and I just can't look away.

If these men are representative of Arab men, I would advise any sane woman to keep their distance.

I found the men on the show to be aggressive and entitled, often belittling women. One even stated that his wife should put her life in second place after his. Some justified their behaviour by saying, "that's how I was raised." The borderline jealousy they displayed is alarming.

They exhibit traits of unchecked anger, disrespect toward others, and controlling behaviour towards women, coupled with an inflated ego. They frequently spoke about God, but their actions didn't align with their words.

I have watched every episode there is of Love is blind, from every country. I thought it would be interesting to see how different this would be. I have to say, that I started with a 1 star rating, because some of the men made me furious. At the end, I could see that this show empowered women, and give it a 3 star.

I am disappointed in how shallow some of them are. How can you test if love is blind, if you start talking about how you look, your prefered look etc?

This seems to be just an ordinary dating show, without the sense of commitment, not like the other Love is blind I have watched.

And some of the men are so jealous, and competitive. You cannot claim a woman after a short date or two!(or any time) You are not there to get best friends, but to find a potential life partner. The conversations were mostly shallow, but what do I know, this might be a culture thing.

And what about getting better soundproofing, so that the men can shout in their quarters, without the ladies hearing them?

Some of the men seems to be very aggressive, want to own their woman and control her. Not good.