And Along Came a Spider (TV Movie 2003) Poster

(2003 TV Movie)

User Reviews

Review this title
2 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
8/10
Shocking, brutal, remorseless - fantastic
Kultek3 August 2003
This is a brilliant, yet shocking documentary detailing the activities of a serial killer using the state religion of Iran to justify the entrapment and murder of 16 street walkers.

Interspersed with photos of his victims, both alive and as found by Iranian police, we meet the killer's family and friends - who all support and encourage his past killings. Most frightening is the man's smiling son proclaiming that he is yet to decide if he will follow in his father's footsteps.

The balance is brought into this picture through interviews with the sentencing judge, a female journalist, and an interview with an unidentified prostitute. These people are used to contrast the self-righteous attitude of the killer, and also give a very moderate view of the social state of Iran. The film also serves to highlight the plight of workers in the sex industry where prostitution is not only illegal, but can be punishable by stoning.

Being a mild dilettante in the area of serial killers I found it fascinating to see the parallels between sociopaths in western society, and the gentleman portrayed here. The mildness with which he discusses his murder of these women jarrs with the physical violence demonstrated in the photos of the cadavers.

The film is an excellent, if extreme, example of how all countries, christian or muslim, suffer from the similar problems of hate, and fear.
15 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Iranians everywhere should watch this.
neonviolet15 July 2005
This documentary is fascinating, chilling, and frightening. Following the trial of an Iranian serial killer the documentary takes time to exam the social and psychological factors that make this event especially unique to the Iranian society. One should take especial interest now that new and conservative leadership has been affirmed in Iran during times of radical and western imposed changes within the region. The political importance of this movie is well hidden since care is taken to insure no mention of the factors that may follow as result of these events. Nevertheless an individual who is aware of political and social issues within the region, especial those who take care to follow event in Iran, will be able to connect the dots. This piece should be shown in university classrooms. Though many universities are offering classes on the Middle East, few focus their attention on Iran. This film is a good example of how Iran is both similar and radically different from the other nations states of the region. Furthermore, it does more to show the real population of Iran than most film and documentaries by wholly showing a portion of the population that is both middle class and conservative, something that is lacking currently in motion pictures. So you're not a liberal but you're a Muslim, why watch this film? At least on one level this film is a wakeup call to Muslims everywhere. The discussion on Islamic doctrine is fascinating as it applies to this particular situation. It will spur discussion and reconsideration of the traditional interpretations that have taken hold of Iranian civil and criminal code. *** I highly recommend this film to anyone who has the guts to sit through it.***
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed