Hoba
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| Hoba | |
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| Directed by | Majid Al Ansari |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Majid Al Ansari |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Arabic |
Hoba (stylized in all caps; also known as The Vile) is a 2025 supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by Majid Al Ansari. The film follows a woman who descends into paranoia after her husband brings home a second wife, sensing a dark presence following the other woman. It was based on an original screenplay written by Al Ansari and Johnnie Alward and stars Bdoor Mohammad, Sarah Taibah, and Iman Tarik.
The film was produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures. Hoba premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2025 in Austin, Texas. After playing at festivals, it was released theatrically in the United Arab Emirates on October 30, 2025, and in Saudi Arabia in November 2025.
Synopsis
Amani (Bdoor Mohammad), a wife and mother living in suburban Abu Dhabi, finds her husband Khalid (Jasem AlKharraz) returning home with a pregnant second wife, Zahra (Sarah Taibah), without her knowledge or consent. Feeling betrayed, Amani tries to reassert herself as the household's matriarch as her daughter, Noor (Iman Tarik), begins growing closer to Zahra after being bullied at school. After seemingly paranormal events, Amani's sanity unravels, as she becomes convinced that a malevolent supernatural presence has followed Zahra into their household.
Cast
- Bdoor Mohammad as Amani
- Jasem AlKharraz as Khalid
- Iman Tarik as Noor
- Sarah Taibah as Zahra
Production
Development
Hoba was directed by Majid Al Ansari. Al Ansari cited Fatal Attraction and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? as his inspirations for the film, which explores themes such as polygamy, greed, betrayal, and trauma.
Filming and collaboration
The film was produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures. It was the first Arabic-language Emirati film co-produced by the two companies. Steven Schneider and Roy Lee served as producers and provided creative input. Additional producers include Derek Dauchy and Rami Yasin, with Mohamed Hefzy and Yasir Al Yasiri serving as executive producers.
Release
Film festivals
Hoba had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2025 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, in September 2025. In October 2025, the film was screened at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain and the BFI London Film Festival. In December 2025, the film was also screened at the Gulf Film Festival.
The film was also screened at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in January 2026, where Al Ansari participated in a Q&A following the screening.
Theatrical release
Hoba was released in UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025. The film opened in Saudi Arabia in November 2025, and was distributed by Telfaz11. In October 2026, it was announced that Dark Sky Films had acquired U.S. distribution rights for the film.
Reception
The film received positive reviews from critics, including coverage in Variety and Deadline. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 100% based on 11 reviews.
Accolades
| Award / Festival | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Fest | 2025 | Best Horror Feature | Won |
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Polygamy-Themed Arab Horror Movie 'The Vile' Launches From Fantastic Fest". Variety. September 23, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Official Trailer for Polygamy Supernatural Horror 'The Vile' from UAE". FirstShowing.net. October 2, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Dark myths of polygamy come to life in Emirati director Majid Al Ansari's horror film The Vile". The National. September 19, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Emirati thriller 'The Vile' wins Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest 2025". BroadcastPro Middle East. September 26, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Spooky Pictures & Image Nation Horror 'The Vile' Sells To International Distributors". Deadline Hollywood. September 29, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Emirati director Majid Al Ansari wins Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest 2025 for The Vile". The National. September 24, 2025.
- 1 2 3 Southgate, Mandy (September 21, 2025). "Fantastic Fest 2025 Review: The Vile". Addicted to Media.
- ↑ "The Vile (Hoba) Film Review". Nevermore Horror.
- ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (2020-03-02). "Image Nation Abu Dhabi Pacts With Spooky Pictures on Chloe Okuno's Thriller 'Watcher'". Variety. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (2022-02-14). "Image Nation, Spooky Pictures Set For 'Late Night With the Devil' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ "Psychological Horror-Thriller Hoba by Majid Al Ansari to Make Global Debut at Fantastic Fest 2025". Image Nation Abu Dhabi. August 15, 2025.
- ↑ "The Vile | Sitges Film Festival". sitgesfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ "Regional filmmakers celebrated as Gulf Film Festival 2025 announces award results". Arabian Daily.
- ↑ "Hoba / The Vile by Majid Al Ansari – Film Screening and Q&A". The Culturist. January 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Dark Sky Films Acquires U.S. Rights to Emirati Horror 'The Vile'". Deadline Hollywood. October 2026.
- ↑ "The Vile review: Horror masterpiece that Emirati cinema has been screaming out for". The National. October 10, 2025.
- ↑ "The Vile (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 7, 2026.