DIRECTOR: ALI ABBASI
STARRING: ZAR AMIR-EBRAHIMI, MEHDI BAJESTANI, ARASH ASHTIANI
RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 56 MINUTES
A journalist descends into the dark underbelly of the Iranian holy city of Mashhad as she investigates the serial killings of sex workers by the so called "Spider Killer," who believes he is cleansing the streets of sinners.
STARRING: ZAR AMIR-EBRAHIMI, MEHDI BAJESTANI, ARASH ASHTIANI
RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 56 MINUTES
A journalist descends into the dark underbelly of the Iranian holy city of Mashhad as she investigates the serial killings of sex workers by the so called "Spider Killer," who believes he is cleansing the streets of sinners.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Every man shall meet what he wishes to avoid.”
The newest submission for Denmark for International Feature is Holy Spider. Director Ali Abbasi has created another fantastic film. Inspired by true events and set in Mashhad, the film starts out with a woman getting ready to work for the night. She’s all bruised and battered and it’s clear right away she’s a sex worker. As the night progresses, and after completing a few jobs, she is approached by a man on a motorcycle and then killed. Viciously.
A journalist, Arezoo, arrives from Tehran to Mashhad to report more about the killings. The newspapers are calling the murderer the Spider Killer. He’s killed around ten women in the past six months. And every time he kills a woman, he calls a local journalist and leaves messages like “I’m going to rid the streets from whores.” And lets them know the exact location of where he dumped the body. He is targeting “undesirable,” “worthless” and “morally corrupt” women. As Arezoo investigates the case it becomes apparent that no one is all that invested in stopping the murders, not the police nor from the clerics and from the public.
This results in Arezoo being forced to dive right into the case and what she uncovers next is truly horrifying.
Ali Abbasi has created one of the most relevant and important films of the year, especially with what’s happening in Iran right now. Led by a haunting musical score and two incredible performances by Zar-Amir Ebrahimi and Mehdi Bajestani, this film succeeds on every level. It grabs you in from the second the film begins to the last second where we’re left feeling frustrated and heartbroken.
This film is infuriating. People have no right to feel like they’re superior to anyone or that they have the right to question someone’s life. And their decisions. No life is worth more. It’s just so enraging how people can use religion and the term “cleansing” to confirm that their actions are ok. And that these lunatics will always have support. This film is dedicated to all those beautiful women who are forgotten. And to all those beautiful women that we have lost. The bodies that are just left there to rot. No recognition. Just forgotten by society. Your life did matter. May these victims forever rest in peace.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Every man shall meet what he wishes to avoid.”
The newest submission for Denmark for International Feature is Holy Spider. Director Ali Abbasi has created another fantastic film. Inspired by true events and set in Mashhad, the film starts out with a woman getting ready to work for the night. She’s all bruised and battered and it’s clear right away she’s a sex worker. As the night progresses, and after completing a few jobs, she is approached by a man on a motorcycle and then killed. Viciously.
A journalist, Arezoo, arrives from Tehran to Mashhad to report more about the killings. The newspapers are calling the murderer the Spider Killer. He’s killed around ten women in the past six months. And every time he kills a woman, he calls a local journalist and leaves messages like “I’m going to rid the streets from whores.” And lets them know the exact location of where he dumped the body. He is targeting “undesirable,” “worthless” and “morally corrupt” women. As Arezoo investigates the case it becomes apparent that no one is all that invested in stopping the murders, not the police nor from the clerics and from the public.
This results in Arezoo being forced to dive right into the case and what she uncovers next is truly horrifying.
Ali Abbasi has created one of the most relevant and important films of the year, especially with what’s happening in Iran right now. Led by a haunting musical score and two incredible performances by Zar-Amir Ebrahimi and Mehdi Bajestani, this film succeeds on every level. It grabs you in from the second the film begins to the last second where we’re left feeling frustrated and heartbroken.
This film is infuriating. People have no right to feel like they’re superior to anyone or that they have the right to question someone’s life. And their decisions. No life is worth more. It’s just so enraging how people can use religion and the term “cleansing” to confirm that their actions are ok. And that these lunatics will always have support. This film is dedicated to all those beautiful women who are forgotten. And to all those beautiful women that we have lost. The bodies that are just left there to rot. No recognition. Just forgotten by society. Your life did matter. May these victims forever rest in peace.
