Ayla (2017) Review: A Turkish Classic
★★★★½ 4.5/5
Strongly recommended — a staple of its national cinema.
Is Ayla worth watching?
Yes — Ayla remains one of the most celebrated films from Turkey, with a 85% Critic Score and enduring audience appeal. On Celluloid it holds a 85% Critic Score, 92% Audience Score, 48 Metascore, 4.1 on Letterboxd, and 8 on IMDb — numbers that explain why it still surfaces on every “best of Turkey” list.
What is Ayla about?
During the Korean War, a Turkish soldier adopts a lost Korean girl, forming a bond that spans decades and continents. Directed by Can Ulkay, the film stars İsmail Hacıoğlu, Çetin Tekindor, Kim Seol, and remains a reference point for Drama and War filmmaking from Turkey.
Should you watch Ayla?
Yes, without hesitation — Ayla rewards viewers who want more than algorithm-friendly new releases. At 125 minutes, it more than earns its running time — and the critics’ consensus still resonates today: Ulkay’s true-story weepie dominated Turkish box office and bridged cultures with sentimental force.
Where can I watch Ayla?
Streaming availability varies by region — check major platforms in your country or local cinemas for revival screenings. Ayla (2017) is widely indexed on IMDb (tt6316138) and remains one of the most searched classic titles from Turkey on NewMoviesReviews.com.