Holding Liat (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Holding Liat is a 2026 drama documentary directed by Brandon Kramer, starring Liat Beinin Atzili, Aviv Atzili and Chaya Beinin. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $81,589 worldwide. Critics gave it 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Brandon Kramer
- Genres
- Documentary , Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Meridian Hill Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Holding Liat About?
The premise of Holding Liat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After Liat Beinin Atzili is kidnapped on October 7, her Israeli‑American family must confront divergent viewpoints and painful loyalties as they scramble to secure her release, while also wrestling with the broader implications for their identities and the homes they cherish on both sides of the world.
Holding Liat Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- 7 october 2023 hamas attack on israel
Holding Liat Cast
Liat Beinin Atzili leads the cast, with Aviv Atzili and Chaya Beinin. Directed by Brandon Kramer; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Brandon Kramer
- Liat Beinin Atzili as themselves
- Aviv Atzili as themselves
- Chaya Beinin as themselves
- Yehuda Beinin as themselves
Also Starring in Holding Liat
· 5 more- Tal Beinin Themselves
- Joel Beinin Themselves
- Netta Atzili Themselves
- Ofri Atzili Themselves
- Aya Atzili Themselves
More from Brandon Kramer
More films directed by Brandon Kramer, best-rated first: The First Step and Holding Liat.
Holding Liat Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Holding Liat 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in sensory experience (80).
Holding Liat Echo Score Breakdown
In overall assessment, Holding Liat delivers a compelling documentary experience through measured direction and an intimate visual language. Critics and viewers alike note its balanced treatment of a highly charged conflict, avoiding partisan bias while foregrounding personal anguish. The film’s layered narrative and nuanced portrayal of a single family generate sustained emotional resonance. Consequently, the work stands as a thoughtful, emotionally rich record that maintains relevance beyond a single viewing.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
Regarding art and craft, the documentary employs a restrained, non‑interventionist camera that follows the family closely, creating a sense of immediacy. Critics highlight the elegant composition and purposeful framing that mirror the subjects’ loss of control. Editing maintains a steady rhythm, allowing scenes to breathe while preserving narrative clarity. These choices collectively elevate the visual credibility of the film.
- Character & Emotion 88
In terms of character and emotion, the subjects convey authentic, multilayered performances that reveal both personal grief and broader ideological tension. Viewers remark on the nuanced chemistry among family members, which sustains empathy without resorting to melodrama. The documentary’s sensitivity enables a deep emotional connection, allowing audiences to perceive individual humanity amid a politicized backdrop.
- Story & Flow 85
The film’s story unfolds with measured pacing, weaving personal testimony into a broader political mosaic. Critics note its layered structure, which presents diverse viewpoints without simplifying the conflict. Originality derives from focusing on a single family’s experience, creating a narrative that is both intimate and thought‑provoking, though it sometimes lingers on complexity at the expense of tighter resolution.
- Sensory Experience 80
Sensory experience combines understated sound design with a restrained visual palette, allowing the family’s emotions to dominate the frame. The ambient score remains subtle, supporting scenes without overwhelming them. Close‑up camera work and natural lighting enhance intimacy, while the overall auditory mix preserves clarity of dialogue. This cohesion reinforces the documentary’s immersive quality.
- Rewatch Factor 88
The lasting impact of Holding Liat is evident in viewers’ desire to recommend and revisit the film. Its emotional depth, nuanced perspective, and intimate access to the family create a memorable experience that stays with audiences long after the credits. This resonance encourages multiple viewings and positions the documentary as a significant, enduring work.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
257 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Holding Liat Plot Summary
What happens in Holding Liat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During the October 7 attacks, Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband Aviv Atzili were kidnapped from their home on a kibbutz near the border. The incident casts a long shadow over the Beinin family as Liat’s parents, Chaya Beinin and Yehuda Beinin, grapple with the fear of what may have happened to their daughter while the wider community wrestles with the hostage crisis and its political reverberations.
Full summary
The whole story of Holding Liat, scene by scene
Holding Liat Box Office
Holding Liat grossed $81,589 worldwide. $78,535 came from the US and Canada and $3,054 (4%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$81.6K
- US & Canada
- $78.5K
- International
- $3.1K
Holding Liat Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Holding Liat.
How Well Do You Know Holding Liat?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who was kidnapped alongside Liat from their home on the kibbutz during the October 7 attacks?
Holding Liat Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Powrót Liat” and “לאחוז בליאת”.
- Also known as
-
- Powrót Liat
- לאחוז בליאת
- Liat'ı Beklerken
- 守护利亚特
Seen Holding Liat?
Movies Like Holding Liat
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Children of October 7, Leila Khaled Hijacker and Unsettled.
Articles About Holding Liat
Our article about Holding Liat: “Holding Liat (2026) Review & Opinions: Critics, Fan Reception, Performance & Storytelling Analysis”.
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Opinions
Holding Liat FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Holding Liat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Holding Liat?
Holding Liat runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Holding Liat released?
Holding Liat was released on January 9, 2026.
Who directed Holding Liat?
Holding Liat was directed by Brandon Kramer.
More films by Brandon Kramer Who is in the cast of Holding Liat?
Holding Liat stars Liat Beinin Atzili, Aviv Atzili and Chaya Beinin, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Holding Liat make at the box office?
Holding Liat grossed $81,589 worldwide ($78,535 domestic, $3,054 international).
How is Holding Liat rated?
Holding Liat has 6.9/10 on IMDb and 78 on Metacritic.
Does Holding Liat have a post-credit scene?
No. Holding Liat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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