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critics consensus

A Hologram for the King amiably ambles through a narrative desert, saved by an oasis of a performance from the ever-dependable Tom Hanks. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A beautiful doctor (Sarita Choudhury) and a wise-cracking taxi driver (Alexander Black) help an American businessman (Tom Hanks) who's trying to close the deal of a lifetime in Saudi Arabia.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Some Sexuality/Nudity)
  • Genre:
    comedy, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Tom Tykwer
  • Producer:
    Uwe Schott, Stefan Arndt, Arcadiy Golubovich, Tim O'Hair, Gary Goetzman
  • Writer:
    Tom Tykwer
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $4.2M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Kasbah-Film Tanger, X-Filme Creative Pool, Fabrica, 22h22, Playtone
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Tom Hanks
Alan Clay
Omar Elba
Yousef
Sarita Choudhury
Zahra
Sidse Babett Knudsen
Hanne
Tracey Fairaway
Kit
Jane Perry
Ruby
Tom Skerritt
Ron
Ben Whishaw
Dave
David Menkin
Brad
Jon Donahue
Ted
Tom Tykwer
Director
Tom Tykwer
Screenwriter
Uwe Schott
Producer
Stefan Arndt
Producer
Arcadiy Golubovich
Producer
Tim O'Hair
Producer
Gary Goetzman
Producer
Steven Shareshian
Executive Producer
Gastón Pavlovich
Executive Producer
Claudia Bluemhuber
Executive Producer
Irene Gall
Executive Producer
Gero Bauknecht
Executive Producer
Jim Seibel
Executive Producer
Bill Johnson
Executive Producer
Shervin Pishevar
Executive Producer
Frank Griebe
Cinematographer
Alexander Berner
Film Editor
Johnny Klimek
Original Music
Tom Tykwer
Original Music
Uli Hanisch
Production Design
Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for A Hologram for the King

All Critics (150) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (105) | Rotten (45)

  • Tykwer is happy to let the journey of his main character speak movingly for itself; and in the process the veteran director brings forth a motion picture I'm going to happily treasure for a long time to come.

    August 11, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Sara Michelle Fetters

    MovieFreak.com

  • You never know quite where it's going, and in an era of so much cinematic predictability that's a welcome attribute.

    July 29, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    David Stratton

    The Australian

  • For all the high-tech lingo, there's nothing new to feel or see.

    May 22, 2016 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Charlotte O'Sullivan

    London Evening Standard

  • Alexander Black makes some dramatic headway as Alan's driver-cum-guide Yousef, while Sarita Choudhury breathes life into blossoming romantic subplot which proves the film's most intriguing feature.

    May 22, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Mark Kermode

    Observer (UK)

  • Hanks is often cast as the dependable American everyman type. Here, he shows a darker, more anxious side to that character. It is one of his richest recent performances.

    May 19, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Geoffrey Macnab

    Independent (UK)

  • An adaptation of the Dave Eggers novel that struggles to make itself stand out, content instead to coast by on gentle comedy and Hanks' charm. Pleasant but ultimately forgettable.

    May 19, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Pile

    Empire Magazine
View All Critic Reviews (150)

Audience Reviews for A Hologram for the King

  • Jun 03, 2017
    Tom Hanks stars in the mediocre comedic drama A Hologram for the King. Based on a novel, the story follows an American businessman who's sent to Saudi Araba to pitch a cutting edge telecommunications system to the king, but the stress from the culture shock soon starts to take an emotional and physical toll. Hanks delivers an excellent performance as usual, and is really too good for this film. The script is poorly written, with a lot of story threads that don't go anywhere and an enigmatic conclusion that doesn't resolve much. Still, it explores some interesting themes about adapting to modernization and foreign cultures. And there's some satiric comedy that's kind of funny. Yet overall, A Hologram for the King lacks a clear focus and its characters are underdeveloped.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Mar 29, 2017
    Hanks is great but the film is very flat in the final third. I think the love story was too much, just a few little hints for a connection would've left an ambiguous ending for the character. The ending felt like a tack on when this film is more an indie story and the heart strings weren't required. Maybe the book spelt it out but the film didn't need to, just annoyed the filmmakers didn't lose that unsatisfying conclusion to what was a 4 star film.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Feb 22, 2017
    Tom Hanks takes us to Saudi Arabia where he's a fish-out-of-water Yank unacquainted with the local customs, some of which could be very dangerous, but it's kept light overall. The biggest shocker for him is a promiscuous Dane, but its this light tone that keeps the film from fully engaging. In one scene Hanks closest Saudi buddy walks in on him with a Saudi woman and things nearly get nuclear pretty fast, but this opportunity, and many others, get passed by for the sake of that light tone. As it is, we're left with a Better Homes and Gardens version that begs in favor of diversity while avoiding some ugly truths.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 20, 2016
    Definitely enjoyable with some comedic moments but ultimately the plot is just too familiar. It's a shame that an unusually good performance from Tom Hanks has to work with something so shallow.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
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