Layla (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Layla is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi, starring Bilal Hasna as Layla, Louis Greatorex and Ali Barouti. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $79,898 worldwide. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Amrou Al-Kadhi
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Film4
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Layla About?
The premise of Layla without spoilers.
Layla is a drag queen navigating a challenging life while concealing a deep longing for love. A performance at a corporate Pride event unexpectedly gains attention from Max, a marketing executive, and their unexpected connection leads to a captivating romance.
Layla Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- coming of age drama
- romantic comedy
Layla Cast & Characters
Bilal Hasna leads the cast as Layla, with Louis Greatorex as Max and Ali Barouti as Haydar. Directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Amrou Al-Kadhi
- Bilal Hasna as Layla
- Louis Greatorex as Max
-
Ali Barouti as Haydar - Baby as Cornucopia
Also Starring in Layla
· 16 more- Freddie Thorp Jonathan
- Emma McDonald Areej
- Huw Morgan Man in Sauna
- Tim Bowie James
- Safiyya Ingar Princy
- Terique Jarrett Felix
- Rania Kurdi Mariam - Mama
- Adnan Rashed Yousef - Baba
- Ghazi Al Ruffai Travis
- Matthew Jacobs Morgan Jordan
- Alexis Meshida Dry Cleaner
- Darkwah Lucilla
- Rebecca Lucy Taylor Emily
- Adam Howden Corporate Guy
- Sarah Agha Fatima
- Buket Kömür Sara
Layla Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Layla 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Layla Echo Score Breakdown
Layla offers a balanced but uneven experience, with strong directorial vision and lead performance countered by uneven scripting and inconsistent secondary characters. Reviews highlight the director’s intimate approach and the magnetic lead role, while noting that the narrative occasionally resorts to formulaic beats and uneven depth. The film’s sensory appeal is noted, yet pacing and thematic clarity waver. In net, Layla is a daring debut with clear strengths and discernible flaws.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art direction, Layla displays confident stylistic choices and an intimate visual approach. The director’s framing is praised for creating a sensual atmosphere, while production elements maintain cohesion throughout. Reviews credit a tactile sense of space, though specifics on cinematography and editing were infrequently discussed. Overall, the film achieves a distinct visual signature that supports its intimate tone.
- Character & Emotion 70
In terms of character and emotion, Layla benefits from a captivating central performance that anchors the narrative. The lead role’s depth and authenticity are consistently highlighted, yet several supporting cast members are cited as uneven or underdeveloped. Emotional beats feel credible, though some observers wished for greater exploration of relationships. Ultimately, the film offers compelling individuality in its protagonist despite secondary inconsistencies.
- Story & Flow 60
When it comes to story and flow, Layla combines engaging thematic exploration with occasional narrative stumbles. The film’s originality in portraying non-Western queerness and refusal of tidy resolutions receive commendation, but some critics find the script structurally uneven and rhythmically uneven, with moments that verge on formula. Overall, the plot remains intriguing yet sometimes undermined by pacing irregularities and thematic ambiguity.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, Layla conveys a rich, sensual atmosphere through its audiovisual choices. The score and sound design subtly underscore emotional beats, while the visual style emphasizes intimacy and texture. Although detailed commentary on design elements is limited, the cohesive blend of sound and imagery creates an immersive mood. The film’s sensory cohesion enhances its intimate narrative focus.
- Rewatch Factor 55
When considering rewatch value, Layla exhibits moderate appeal for subsequent viewings owing to its lead performance and thematic novelty. The film’s intimate tone and exploration of identity may reward repeat observation, though narrative unevenness and sporadic pacing issues could diminish long-term appeal. While some viewers may revisit to appreciate character nuances, the film’s uneven script may limit its enduring replay value.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
620 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 64 Metascore
User score 3.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
4163 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Layla Box Office
Layla grossed $79,898 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$79.9K
- International
- $79.9K
Layla Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.
- Clip Clip
- Featurette Amrou Al-Kadhi on "Layla"
- Featurette Layla director Amrou Al-Kadhi | BFI Q&A
- Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Layla (2024) | BFI Player
Layla Also Known As
Also known as “愛神來啦”.
- Also known as
-
- 愛神來啦
Seen Layla?
Movies Like Layla
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including David & Layla, Burlesque and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga.
Layla FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Layla, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Layla?
Layla runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Layla released?
Layla was released on March 21, 2025.
Who directed Layla?
Layla was directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi.
Who is in the cast of Layla?
Layla stars Bilal Hasna as Layla, Louis Greatorex as Max and Ali Barouti as Haydar, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Layla make at the box office?
Layla grossed $79,898 worldwide.
How is Layla rated?
Layla has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Does Layla have a post-credit scene?
No. Layla has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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