Hala (2019): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Minhal Baig
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Apple
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- title directed by female
- secret relationship
- muslim
- hijab
- 17 year old
Where to Watch Hala
Stream it on Apple TV. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
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.
- Director Minhal Baig
-
Geraldine Viswanathan as Hala Masood -
Jack Kilmer as Jesse, Hala's boyfriend -
Anna Chlumsky as Shannon Taylor -
Charin Alvarez as Principal
Also Starring in Hala
· 9 more- Gabriel Luna Mr. Lawrence
- Sam Straley Evan
- Jimmy Chung Photographer
- Purbi Joshi Eram, Hala's mother
- Sonny Bhatt Arash
- Azad Khan Zahid Masood
- Celia Skvaril Student
- Keith LeCreed Harris Coach
- Taylor Marie Blim Melanie
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 58%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 3.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Hala Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Behind the Scenes Finding Inspiration ft. Jada Pinkett Smith
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?
Movies Like Hala
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Elaha, Night of Henna and Farha.
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.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
