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Drama

Hala (2019): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Hala (2019) movie poster

Hala is a 2019 drama directed by Minhal Baig, starring Geraldine Viswanathan as Hala Masood, Jack Kilmer and Anna Chlumsky. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Stream it on Apple TV.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Echo Score
75
Metascore
75
Hala (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Minhal Baig
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Apple
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hala About?

The premise of Hala without spoilers.

Hala is a coming-of-age drama centered on a seventeen-year-old Pakistani American girl struggling to define herself amidst conflicting cultural expectations and personal desires. As she begins to explore her independence, a secret threatens to unravel the stability of her family and their traditions. The film explores the complexities of identity, the weight of familial duty, and the challenges of reconciling heritage with individual longing.

Hala Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • teenage girl
  • family relationships
  • high school
  • religion
  • religious family
  • first sex
  • teenage sexuality
  • muslim girl
  • coming of age
  • sexual awakening
  • teenager
  • pakistani american
+5 more
  • title directed by female
  • secret relationship
  • muslim
  • hijab
  • 17 year old
Where to watch

Where to Watch Hala

Stream it on Apple TV. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Hala Cast & Characters

Geraldine Viswanathan leads the cast as Hala Masood, with Jack Kilmer as Jesse, Hala's boyfriend and Anna Chlumsky as Shannon Taylor. Directed by Minhal Baig; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hala

· 9 more
Ratings

Hala Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hala 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

75 /100

Hala Echo Score Breakdown

While Hala may follow familiar coming-of-age beats, its attentive direction and a nuanced central performance provide a quietly compelling portrait of a Muslim-American teen. The film's visual style employs measured pacing and understated design to support emotional depth. Some viewers note thin plotting and a disjointed latter half, limiting engagement. Sensory elements contribute mood, though they rarely stand out. Overall, Hala presents a modestly resonant character study with memorable moments, despite narrative unevenness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film's art and craft display patient direction and a consistent visual mood. In terms of cinematography and production design, measured framing and an understated color palette underscore everyday authenticity. Editing choices reinforce the gentle pacing without abrupt shifts. Overall, the artistic approach supports the film's reflective tone, though it occasionally lacks dynamic variation.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, Hala benefits from a nuanced performance at its center. The lead conveys intelligence and vulnerability through subtle expressions and deliberate dialogue. Supporting interactions reveal layered familial and cultural tensions. Character relationships feel authentic and emotionally resonant. Ultimately, the film’s emotional core remains its strongest attribute, anchored by its protagonist.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative follows conventional coming-of-age rhythms with added cultural dimensions. Pacing remains deliberate, yet some segments falter under pointed exposition and an uneven second act. Plot coherence wavers when character motivations are inadequately developed. Nonetheless, the framework sustains engagement through thematic exploration, even as originality feels restrained.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    With regard to sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design maintain a subtle presence that enhances immersive quietude. The visual style employs cohesive lighting and composition to reflect internal states. Although the audio-visual elements rarely draw explicit attention, they effectively reinforce the film’s contemplative atmosphere. This restraint contributes to an integrated sensory environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    As for rewatch factor, the film offers moderate replay value driven by its cultural specificity and emotional nuance. Viewers may find additional layers in the measured performances and thematic echoes on repeated viewings. However, the modest narrative scope and occasional pacing lulls limit lasting appeal. Consequently, the movie is likely to reward select subsequent viewings but may not sustain broad rewatch interest.

Videos

Hala Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Behind the Scenes Finding Inspiration ft. Jada Pinkett Smith
Details

Hala Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Хала” and “האלה”.

Also known as
  • Хала
  • האלה
  • 哈拉
  • 荷拉的故事
  • '할라' - Hala
  • ハラ

Seen Hala?

FAQ

Hala FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Hala, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hala?

Hala runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Hala released?

Hala was released on November 22, 2019.

Who directed Hala?

Hala was directed by Minhal Baig.

More films by Minhal Baig

Who is in the cast of Hala?

Hala stars Geraldine Viswanathan as Hala Masood, Jack Kilmer as Jesse, Hala's boyfriend and Anna Chlumsky as Shannon Taylor, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch Hala?

In the US, Hala is streaming on Apple TV (availability from JustWatch).

How is Hala rated?

Hala has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Hala have a post-credit scene?

No. Hala has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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