A Hologram for the King
Performance & Direction: A Hologram for the King Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is A Hologram for the King (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and A Hologram for the King features a noteworthy lineup led by Tom Hanks . Supported by the likes of Sarita Choudhury and Sidse Babett Knudsen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: A Hologram for the King
Quick Plot Summary: A Hologram for the King is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Alan Clay, a struggling American businessman, travels to Saudi Arabia to sell a new technology to the King, only to be challenged by endless Middle Eastern bureaucracy, a perpetually absent monarch, and a suspicious growth on his back. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: A Hologram for the King
Ending Breakdown: A Hologram for the King attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of A Hologram for the King reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch A Hologram for the King?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: A Hologram for the King
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $30.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $9.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
A Hologram for the King Budget
The estimated production budget for A Hologram for the King is $30.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: A Hologram for the King
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Where to Watch A Hologram for the King Online?
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Fandango At HomeA Hologram for the King Parents Guide & Age Rating
2016 AdvisoryWondering about A Hologram for the King age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of A Hologram for the King is 97 minutes (1h 37m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, A Hologram for the King is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2016 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Hologram for the King worth watching?
A Hologram for the King is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find A Hologram for the King parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for A Hologram for the King identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of A Hologram for the King?
The total duration of A Hologram for the King is 97 minutes, which is approximately 1h 37m long.
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Critic Reviews for A Hologram for the King
**About a salesman who went to sell his product sold himself.** I like this director, one of his film was in my all time favourite list. But I'm not sure what happened to him lately, he's not the same as what he was a decade ago. This is his worse to far I've seen. He's better than this, but he chose a wrong book. It was based on the book of the same name that tells the story of an American salesman whose last chance to get back on the track goes to saudiarabia to sell his product to the king. But the king's unexpected last minute reschedules avoids his meeting and so it continues like that for some time. In his those spare time, how he explores the desert country and its culture, including an unexpected feeling for a local lady doctor was told. Seems a fine material for the reading, the cinematically it did not have the same appeal. I haven't read the book, but it is short and lacks in detail it deals. The main character remains a mystery for not properly revealing his history, especially for the no flashback, which would have put him is a good position. That's why it looks just a mid story, that begins in a mid way of someone's life. Though Tom Hanks was good, like usual in another unique role. The film is about arebia, but it was shot in Morocco and Egypt. There's no big contribution from the supporting characters, except two. Sarita Choudury, especially Alexander Black transformed completely to a real areb and they both put a good show as well. The film was below average. Since it was a Hanks' film I anticipated something strong. It was something, but not the something I was looking for. Watchable film, but skipping it won't make any regret if you're okay with skipping an Hanks film. All the above his fans are very disappointed, so I hope his next film 'The Circle' would make us this one to forget. 4/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









