Overview
A young man returns to his homeland to confront the ghosts of his past and seek vengeance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- lyrical
- harrowing
- serious movie night
- arthouse cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a daring, visually poetic, politically incisive Shakespeare adaptation elevated by Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction and Shahid Kapoor’s performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bhardwaj and Basharat Peer reshape Hamlet around Kashmir, security forces, militancy, and state violence.
Haider’s attempt to avenge his father’s murder is framed against recurring political and familial bloodshed.
Kashmir’s poetic natural imagery contrasts with disappearances, detention, militancy, and man-made violence.
The conflict between Haider, his mother Ghazala, and his uncle Khurram centers on desire, suspicion, and paternal loss.
Films like Haider, and why
Maqbool
Shakespearean tragedy adapted into a politically charged period drama with themes of revenge, familial betrayal, and cyclical violence
Omkara
Visually expressive Shakespeare adaptation combining crime, doomed family relationships, and moral corruption
Ran
Epic Shakespeare adaptation marked by operatic violence, political conflict, and tragic ambition
The Battle of Algiers
Intense political drama about occupation, grief, and revenge amid a conflict-ridden landscape
Movie Details
- Director
- Vishal Bhardwaj
- Release Date
- 2014-10-02
- Runtime
- 150 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (261)
Cast
- Shahid Kapoor
- Tabu
- Kay Kay Menon
- Shraddha Kapoor
- Narendra Jha
- Irrfan Khan
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda
- Lalit Parimoo
- Aamir Bashir
- Sumit Kaul
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Haider about?
- A grieving son’s Hamlet-like quest for revenge unfolds amid Kashmir’s disappearances, insurgency, and a family poisoned by betrayal.
- What is Haider like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Haider as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Haider violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Haider as graphic.
- What did critics think of Haider?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a daring, visually poetic, politically incisive Shakespeare adaptation elevated by Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction and Shahid Kapoor’s performance.
- Which films are like Haider?
- Films with a similar feel include Maqbool, Omkara, Ran, and The Battle of Algiers.
- How long is Haider?
- Haider runs 150 minutes.
- Where can I watch Haider?
- In United States, Haider is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store.
