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What Walaa Wants

2018·Movie
1h 29min

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What Walaa Wants fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace4
  • Violence4

Heart

Hopeful and moving

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Hopefulness8
  • Pathos7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Satire & Parody2

World

A real life story, everyday modern life, and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters

  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank while her mother was in prison, Walaa dreams of being a policewoman, wearing a uniform, avoiding marriage, and earning a salary. Despite discouragement from her family, Walaa applies - and gets in. But her own rebellious behavior and a complicated relationship with her mother are a challenge, as are the circumstances under which she lives. Following Walaa from 15 to 21, this first-ever look inside the Palestinian police academy brings us the story of a young woman navigating formidable obstacles, learning which rules to break and follow, and disproving the negative predictions from her surroundings and the world at large.
Palestinian PoliceRefugee Camp LifeFemale EmpowermentComing-of-Age StorySocial ChallengesPersonal GrowthDocumentaryWest Bank

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about What Walaa Wants

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream What Walaa Wants legally?

What Walaa Wants is included with a subscription to DocAlliance Films in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from DocAlliance Films. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is What Walaa Wants worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 6.9 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is What Walaa Wants?

1 h 29 min

What Walaa Wants runs 1 h 29 min.

Is What Walaa Wants based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on What Walaa Wants?

Critics100
Audiences69

Not quite. Critics rate What Walaa Wants higher (100) than audiences (69). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is What Walaa Wants in?

EnglishArabic

It was made in English, with some Arabic. Produced in Canada, Denmark, Palestinian Territories.

In how many countries can I watch What Walaa Wants?

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GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for What Walaa Wants in 56 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.