Acclaimed Saudi Film ‘Hobal' Now Streaming on Shahid

CairoScene

12-06-2025

Blending stark desert visuals with tightly wound family drama, 'Hobal' is the latest Saudi feature to land on Shahid, adding to the growing wave of locally made psychological thrillers.
Saudi feature film 'Hobal' is now streaming on Shahid, bringing director Abdulaziz Alshlahei's latest psychological drama to audiences across the region. Set against the desolate expanse of the Saudi desert, the film centres on a Bedouin family whose strict isolation is upended by the arrival of a fugitive stranger.
The film stars Mila Al Zahrani, Ibrahim Al-Hasawi and Fayez Bin Jurays, amongst others, with a screenplay written by Mufarrej Al-Majfel. As the family's fragile routine begins to unravel, 'Hobal' dives deep into the tensions of patriarchal power, generational control, and the psychological toll of solitude. The eldest son, left to lead in his father's absence, becomes a focal point for these shifting dynamics, navigating loyalty, authority, and threat in equal measure.
Shot largely in AlUla, 'Hobal' originally premiered at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival, where it drew praise for its slow-burn suspense and sharply drawn characters. The film's release on Shahid marks its first wide streaming availability since its festival debut, as part of a broader push by MBC Studios to spotlight emerging Saudi storytellers on regional platforms.