Egyptian cinema has long charmed audiences with its “nice guys,” who appear devoted, protective, and romantic. The nice guy does the work to win the girl, wooing her with compliments and displays of affection. But behind the grand gestures and charming banter lies an insidious truth: that the “nice guy’s” love in Egyptian romantic comedies is often laced with control, jealousy, and fragile masculinity. Nice guys portrayed in cinema are often misogynistic men who exert patriarchal control, disguised as humor for the audience. In the West, the term “nice guy” has come to carry an ironic, negative connotation. It typically describes men who present themselves as polite, gentle, or non-threatening toward women, yet quietly harbor the expectation of romantic or sexual reward for their behavior. The label has become associated with entitlement, passive-aggressiveness, and a lack of confidence. Being a “nice guy” is not about genuine kindness but a performative politeness that masks deeper resentment and misogyny. Meanwhile, being a “nice guy” in Egypt’s traditional society often refers to a man who is family-oriented, protective, and morally upstanding. However, some disguise themselves as nice, and their kindness and affection are…
