Layal, an Arabic professor at Indiana University, faces mounting pressures as she drives her teenage son Daniel from Indiana to California. The cross-country trip comes after Daniel faces expulsion from school following a fight, and his estranged father offers to take him in out west. The film, directed by Ramzi Bashour, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026 and runs for 1 hour and 37 minutes.
Background
Layal recently quit smoking, swapping cigarettes for clementines, but the change has left her more on edge. She teaches college students who struggle with her lessons, adding to her daily frustrations. At home, her son Daniel deals with his own issues at high school, where he has already been held back twice. A fight with a teammate on his hockey team leaves him facing expulsion and even a damaged lung that prevents him from flying.
His father, Anton, lives in Santa Cruz and steps in with an offer to let Daniel finish school there. Layal agrees to the drive, packing her Subaru Outback with bags and a stock of oranges. The journey starts as a practical solution but turns into a chance for mother and son to confront their strained relationship.
Layal's life already feels overwhelming. Her mother in Beirut fell recently and now lies bedridden, sending worry across the ocean. Meditation tapes play in her car, but they do little to ease her tension. Daniel, meanwhile, marches to his own beat, often clashing with rules and expectations.
Ramzi Bashour makes his feature debut with Hot Water, writing and directing the story. He drew on familiar road movie elements but adds layers from Layal's Arabic background and her role as a single mother in America. Producers include Jesse Hope, Max Walker-Silverman, and Josh Peters, with backing from companies like 10mK and Spark Features.
Key Details
The film stars Lubna Azabal as Layal, known for roles in Incendies and The Blue Caftan. This marks one of her rare American film appearances. Daniel Zolghadri plays her son Daniel, bringing a quirky energy to the teen who defies norms. Gabe Fazio appears as Anton, the distant father, and Dale Dickey has a supporting role as a friend who hosts them overnight.
The Road Trip Stops
The drive takes them through stunning American landscapes, stopping at diners and motels. A key detour lands them at a naturalist colony in Colorado, where the title Hot Water comes from the communal hot springs. There, they meet odd characters who push Layal and Daniel out of their routines.
Layal starts rigid and short-tempered, snapping at Daniel over small things. He pushes back with his free-spirited ways, doing what he wants without much fallout. Their talks reveal shared immaturity, both unsure about their paths ahead. Arguments mix with tender moments, showing how alike they are despite surface differences.
The film leans into comedy over heavy drama. Orange peels pile up in the car, symbolizing Layal's frayed nerves. Daniel's odd habits amuse and irritate her in turn. Stops bring rogue encounters that highlight their eccentricities.
"Hot Water feels like a product of hard-won wisdom, but couldn’t be a smoother or more pleasurable ride." – Stephen Saito, film reviewer
Critics note the gentle tone and strong performances. Azabal shines with sharp wit and subtle shifts, making Layal relatable. Zolghadri matches her as the son who forces growth. Bashour keeps the pace light, avoiding deep dives into backstory.
Production Notes
Shot as an independent project, the movie fits the Sundance mold of family stories told on the road. Bashour focuses on codependency between parent and child, people who feel alone but rely on each other. The runtime keeps it tight, with humor bubbling through tensions.
What This Means
Hot Water updates the American road movie with a cross-cultural angle. Layal's Lebanese roots and life in the Midwest add fresh notes to the genre. It shows how immigrants navigate family duties amid personal chaos.
For audiences, the film offers a feel-good trip without big traumas. Mother and son learn to listen and see each other anew. Layal loosens up, Daniel steps toward maturity. Their bond strengthens through simple time together.
At Sundance, it stands among entries blending drama and laughs. Viewers see familiar themes—family reconciliation on the open road—but with unique spins from Bashour's vision. Azabal's presence draws eyes to Arab characters in U.S. stories.
The movie highlights everyday struggles: quitting habits, school woes, aging parents abroad. It suggests space and shared quirks can mend cracks. Daniel's lung injury forces the drive, turning necessity into revelation.
Reception splits on depth. Some praise the warmth and subtlety, others find it too mild or predictable. Still, it promises broad appeal for fans of light indies. Bashour's control of tone points to more work ahead.
Layal packs oranges like lifelines, munching through stress. By Santa Cruz, the peels tell a story of change. The film ends on hope, with car rides proving time heals when spent right.
This Sundance premiere puts Bashour on the map. With Azabal leading, Hot Water boils family tales into something watchable. It reminds that roads lead not just west, but to better understanding.
