Layla

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Layla

Released Mar 21

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

88%

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32 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Layla is a struggling Arab drag queen whose confident façade hides their desperate desire for love. When their performance at a belittling corporate Pride event turns into a transgressive takedown, they are surprised to catch the eye of marketing executive Max, whose attentions sweep Layla off their feet. The two start an intoxicating romance, but as Layla starts to alter who they are in order to keep Max's interest, they both have to face uncomfortable truths.

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Marina Ashioti

Little White Lies

Amrou Al-Kadhi’s debut trades in any unique qualities that a queer film can exhibit in terms of form and content, with the tried and tested formula of the palatable, cheesy odd couple romance.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 11, 2024

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It’s a bland, flip-flopping central romance, topped off with some sub-Oprah sentiment about self-empowerment.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 27, 2024

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Layla has found their tribe -- and it’s here that first-time director Amrou Al-Kadhi, also a drag artist, excels, capturing the sparkling, sensual spectacle of the queer club circuit.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 25, 2024

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Marlon Wallace

The M Report (WBOC.com)

The film though has a great metaphor for being queer and nonbinary... Layla compares it to being like an octopus... due to octopus's abilities to shapeshift and alter their bodies externally, literally changing colors or forms.

Aug 11, 2025

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Calvin Law

The Asian Cut

'Layla' doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead lends a tender hand and comforting shoulder to help people on their journey.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 23, 2025

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Writer-director Amrou Al-Kadhi refreshingly resists creating characters who are easy to pigeon-hole, and situations don't resolve themselves in tidy ways we've grown to expect on-screen.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 20, 2025

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Amrou Al-Kadhi

Director

Bilal Hasna

Actor

Louis Greatorex

Actor

Safiyya Ingar

Actor

Darkwah

Actor

Terique Jarrett

Actor

Throuple

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A Nice Indian Boy

96%

97%

A Nice Indian Boy

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Love, Simon

92%

87%

Love, Simon

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for Love, Simon

The Persian Version

84%

93%

The Persian Version

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Bonus Track

86%

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Synopsis

Layla is a struggling Arab drag queen whose confident façade hides their desperate desire for love. When their performance at a belittling corporate Pride event turns into a transgressive takedown, they are surprised to catch the eye of marketing executive Max, whose attentions sweep Layla off their feet. The two start an intoxicating romance, but as Layla starts to alter who they are in order to keep Max's interest, they both have to face uncomfortable truths.

Director: Amrou Al-Kadhi
Producer: Savannah James-Bayly
Screenwriter: Amrou Al-Kadhi, Amrou Al-Kadhi
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: British Film Institute, AUM Group, Film4
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 21, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2025
Runtime: 1h 40m

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