Overview
A young woman's life takes a dark turn, leading her to discover unexpected freedom in captivity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- unhurried
- intimate
- reflective evening
- road trip inspiration
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an unconventional, atmospheric road drama led by strong performances, while some found its later writing and pacing uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Veera's movement across India's highways and changing landscapes coincides with her increasing distance from her former constrained life.
Veera and Mahabir form a strange emotional bond while she remains under the gang leader's control.
Veera's impending marriage and industrialist family conceal painful experiences that captivity brings into confrontation.
The highway, foothills, and shifting scenery reflect Veera's movement from social enclosure toward a newly imagined freedom.
Films like Highway, and why
Thelma & Louise
shares a road movie structure, emotional self-discovery, and an unconventional bond formed under difficult circumstances
Stockholm
combines abduction-related danger, psychological transformation, and a complicated connection between captor and captive
The Motorcycle Diaries
pairs a journey through changing landscapes with restrained romance, trauma, and personal liberation
The Piano
explores oppressive social circumstances, intimate character transformation, and an emotionally complex relationship
Movie Details
- Director
- Imtiaz Ali
- Release Date
- 2014-02-13
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (189)
Cast
- Alia Bhatt
- Randeep Hooda
- Durgesh Kumar
- Pradeep Nagar
- Saharsh Kumar Shukla
- Shakeel Khan
- Mohit Choudhary
- Hemant Mahaur
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Brew
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Highway about?
- A wealthy young woman’s abduction becomes an unsettling journey toward freedom when captivity reveals a bond with her hardened captor.
- What is Highway like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Highway as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Highway violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Highway as mild.
- What did critics think of Highway?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an unconventional, atmospheric road drama led by strong performances, while some found its later writing and pacing uneven.
- Which films are like Highway?
- Films with a similar feel include Thelma & Louise, Stockholm, The Motorcycle Diaries, and The Piano.
- How long is Highway?
- Highway runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Highway?
- In United States, Highway streams on Brew.
