In the holy city of Mashhad, journalist Rahimi (Zar Amir-Ebrahimi) investigates the murders of sex workers by the 'Spider Killer' — a man (Mehdi Bajestani) who believes he is on a divine mission to cleanse the city of sinners. As she tries to bring him to justice, support for his actions grows as many hail him a hero on a religious quest.
From the director of the critically acclaimed Border, Ali Abbasi, Holy Spider provides a searing critique of contemporary Iranian society, powered by a remarkable performance from Zar Amir-Ebrahimi.
Winner of Best Actress (Zar Amir-Ebrahimi) at 2022 Cannes Film Festival
“It’s a cracking, effective thriller, powered by uneasiness, and made all the more potent by the recent death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old killed in police custody after being detained for violating the Islamic Republic’s dress code for women.” — Tara Brady, Irish Times
2022. Denmark/Germany/France/Sweden/Jordan/Italy. Director: Ali Abbasi. Cast: Mehdi Bajestani, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, Arash Ashtiani. Duration: 1hr56mins. Cert: 18.
