// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did "The Vile" say to its date? You're vile-ly attractive.
| The Vile | |
|---|---|
.png) Theatrical release poster | |
| Arabic | Hoba |
| Directed by | Majid Al Ansari |
| Written by | Majid Al Ansari Johnnie Alward |
| Story by | Majid Al Ansari |
| Produced by | Rami Yasin Roy Lee Steven Schneider Derek Dauchy |
| Starring | Bdoor Mohammad Jasem AlKharraz Iman Tarik Sarah Taibah |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Arabic |
The Vile (Arabic: Hoba) is a 2025 psychological horror film directed by Majid Al Ansari and written by Al Ansari and Johnnie Alward, from an original story by Al Ansari.[1] The film is produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi in partnership with Spooky Pictures, a Los Angeles-based production company.
The film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 in Austin, Texas, where it won the Best Horror Feature award, becoming the first Arabic-language film to receive this honor at the festival.[2] Following its festival run, it was released in UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025, with subsequent releases in Saudi Arabia in November 2025.[3][4]
Plot
[edit]Amani, a devoted wife and mother living in suburban Abu Dhabi, experiences a dramatic upheaval when her husband Khalid returns home with a second wife, Zahra, without her knowledge or consent.[5] As Amani's sense of betrayal deepens and she becomes increasingly isolated within her own home, paranormal and sinister occurrences begin to plague the household. Convinced that something dark and malevolent followed Zahra into their lives, Amani's desperate search for truth—driven by instinct and terror—increasingly alienates her from reality. Her daughter Noor watches with growing concern for her mother's sanity.[6]
The film blends supernatural horror and psychological horror to explore themes of polygamy, betrayal, greed, and trauma, primarily through the perspectives of a mother and daughter.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Bdoor Mohammad as Amani, the protagonist
- Jasem AlKharraz as Khalid, Amani's husband
- Iman Tarik as Noor, Amani and Khalid's daughter
- Sarah Taibah as Zahra, Khalid's second wife
Production
[edit]The film was produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the production company based in the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Spooky Pictures.[8] Spooky Pictures is known for producing horror and thriller films, including Watcher (2022), Late Night with the Devil (2023), Strange Darling (2023) and Hokum (2026).
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10.[9]
The film received critical acclaim at its premiere. At Fantastic Fest 2025, it won the Best Horror Feature award, marking a significant achievement for Arabic-language cinema at the festival.[10]
Accolades
[edit]| Award / Festival | Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Fest | 2025 | Best Horror Feature | Won |
| Gulf Film Festival | 2026 | Best Picture | Won |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Official Trailer for Polygamy Supernatural Horror 'The Vile' from UAE". FirstShowing.net. October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Emirati thriller 'The Vile' wins Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest 2025". BroadcastPro Middle East. September 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Spooky Pictures & Image Nation Horror 'The Vile' Sells To International Distributors". Deadline. September 29, 2025.
- ↑ "Emirati director Majid Al Ansari wins Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest 2025 for The Vile". The National. September 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Polygamy-Themed Arab Horror Movie 'The Vile' Launches From Fantastic Fest". Variety. September 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Official Trailer for Polygamy Supernatural Horror 'The Vile' from UAE". FirstShowing.net. October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Official Trailer for Polygamy Supernatural Horror 'The Vile' from UAE". FirstShowing.net. October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "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". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Emirati thriller 'The Vile' wins Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest 2025". BroadcastPro Middle East. September 26, 2025.