A Hologram for the King

A Hologram for the King

Year: 2016

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Tom Tykwer

DramaComedy

In Saudi Arabia, an American businessman, struggling to secure a lucrative deal, finds unexpected friendship and connection with a local taxi driver and a caring doctor. As he navigates the complexities of business and culture, he experiences a transformative journey of human understanding and connection amidst the desert landscape.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Hologram for the King (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Hologram for the King (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a modern setting, reflecting contemporary challenges such as globalization and personal crises faced by individuals in a rapidly evolving world. The themes of corporate competition and personal redemption resonate strongly in today's socioeconomic climate.

Location

Jeddah, Metropolis of Economy and Trade

Jeddah is a vibrant city in Saudi Arabia known for its rich history and as a gateway for pilgrims to Mecca. The Metropolis of Economy and Trade is a striking, yet unfinished, showcase of modern architecture designed to symbolize the country's rapid economic growth.

🏙️ City 🏗️ Development

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:17

Main Characters – A Hologram for the King (2016)

Meet the key characters of A Hologram for the King (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alan Clay (Tom Hanks)

Alan is a deeply flawed yet relatable salesman burdened by past failures and personal loss. His journey reveals a man striving for redemption and connection in a foreign environment, battling both external challenges and internal demons.

🚶‍♂️ Salesman 🤔 Reflective 🌍 Expat

Yousef (Alexander Black)

Yousef is a charming and warm local driver who becomes Alan's friend and confidant. His tales of love and loss provide a lighthearted contrast to Alan's struggles, showcasing his character's depth and relatability.

🚗 Driver 🤗 Supportive ❤️ Friend

Zahra (Sarita Choudhury)

Zahra is a compassionate doctor who embodies empathy and strength. Her genuine concern for Alan breaks through his protective walls, drawing him into a vulnerable yet meaningful relationship amidst their personal turmoils.

👩‍⚕️ Doctor 💖 Compassionate 🌊 Healer

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:17

Major Themes – A Hologram for the King (2016)

Explore the central themes of A Hologram for the King (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

The film explores the theme of friendship through the bond formed between Alan and Yousef. Their interactions provide a backdrop for personal growth, mutual support, and understanding amidst challenging circumstances.

💔 Loss & Regret

Alan's journey is laden with feelings of regret and sorrow from his past professional failures and a tumultuous divorce. These emotions drive his character development as he seeks to overcome his past and find a new path forward.

🏖️ Hope & Renewal

The narrative conveys themes of hope and renewal as Alan navigates personal setbacks and discovers new opportunities. His developing relationship with Zahra serves as a metaphor for personal rebirth and the quest for a brighter future.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:17

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet Business Journeys Abroad like in A Hologram for the King

Professionals finding themselves lost and found in unfamiliar cultures.If you liked the mix of professional struggle and personal awakening in A Hologram for the King, explore more movies where business trips become transformative journeys. These films often feature characters adrift in a new culture, finding unexpected connections and redefining their purpose beyond their career ambitions.

introspectivetransformativewearyculturally immersivehopefulquietmidlife

Narrative Summary

These stories follow a protagonist, often a middle-aged man, on a high-stakes business trip to a foreign land. The anticipated professional success proves elusive, forcing a confrontation with personal failures or anxieties. Through interactions with locals and immersion in a different way of life, the character undergoes a quiet, internal transformation, leading to a bittersweet but ultimately hopeful resolution.

Why These Movies?

We group these films together because they share a specific narrative DNA: the collision of Western professional ambition with a non-Western cultural context, leading to a character-driven, introspective story. The tone balances the melancholy of failure with the hope of personal renewal, creating a uniquely reflective and humanizing experience.

Quietly Transformative Journeys of Midlife like in A Hologram for the King

Stories of weary souls finding unexpected solace and purpose.For viewers who appreciated the reflective, slow-paced transformation in A Hologram for the King, this thread collects movies about characters starting over or finding new meaning later in life. These are gentle, character-driven stories focused on human connection and internal change rather than high-stakes action.

reflectivehopefulintrospectivewearyquiettransformativecontemplativehuman connection

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist grappling with a sense of failure or emptiness, often related to their career or personal life. They are placed in a new environment or situation that forces them to slow down and be present. Through small, meaningful interactions and a period of introspection, they shed their weariness and discover a new, more authentic path forward, culminating in a hopeful but realistically earned sense of peace.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared contemplative mood and focus on internal character arcs. They prioritize emotional authenticity over plot twists, using a slower pace to allow the audience to fully immerse themselves in the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. The overall feeling is one of thoughtful, hopeful realism.

Unlock the Full Story of A Hologram for the King

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Hologram for the King in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Hologram for the King is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Hologram for the King Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Hologram for the King, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Hologram for the King Summary

A Hologram for the King Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Hologram for the King with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Hologram for the King Timeline

A Hologram for the King Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Hologram for the King that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

A Hologram for the King Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Hologram for the King

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Hologram for the King: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Hologram for the King