Giannini had previously worked with co-writer Derrick Adams and was intrigued by the question "what would happen if vaccines were created intentionally for purposes of government control and for the profit of the pharmaceutical industry, not necessarily to cure viruses?
Giannini has noted that Shaku was "an integral part in getting HALL made" and that "Without Yumiko’s involvement, the film would not have the same impact.
[4] Common elements of praise centered around Giannini's choice of filming location, acting, and the movie's premise.
[5][6] Ginger Nuts of Horror also praised the themes of domestic abuse, writing that they "play very well with a realistic subtly more akin to these actual relationships.
"[7] Criticism focused upon the script, which Flickering Myth felt was "shockingly padded" and Ginger Nuts of Horror wrote "needed another solid rewrite to tackle obvious storytelling issues.