User reviews

A killer trawls the streets of Mashhad City, shows no remorse, regret or shame, there is no pity, for the women that he kills, I'm sure he gets plenty of thrills, as a self-appointed one man vigilante. A journalist begins investigations, in a culture that's built on male foundations, but she's persistent and quite brave, to stop the girls going to graves, and to suffer prejudice, of generations.

It's a brutal depiction of events, as a disgruntled, discontented and disturbed psychopath decides to take the lives of several women who have been left with no choice but to sell themselves on the streets to survive (or not as it turns out). I thought Zar Amir-Ebrahimi was brilliant as the stubborn and relentless journalist who tenaciously puts her own life in peril to track the killer down.

I watched this film yesterday on the Golden Apricot film festival and its rating of 6.6 makes little sense to me.

It is a crafty film that takes you on a suspenseful trip with moments of well-placed humor.

The Iranian setting is somewhat overdramatized, but I believe that works for the film, rather than against it.

The important note here is that the true Spider Killer received very little to no support from the Iranian society.

The overall setting is somber, it is relatively violent, there is a lot of room given for the personal development of our characters, there is social criticism, great acting, and powerful sound design.

My only criticism is that secondary characters could have given more screen-time to act out their emotional curve, as there performances were really strong.

I strongly recommend this to anyone that loves European film and/or true crime pieces.

Easily an eight!

'Holy Spider' is the kind of film where if it were a fictional tale you would think what a dark perspective of the world it has chosen to take. The fact that it is based on a true story, and a man like this was actually considered to be doing the work of God, not just by himself but by the public at large as well, is incredibly sobering.

I loved that the film chose to tell the story from two perspectives, the killer and the journalist hunting him. There are certainly times to have some mystery surround your film's antagonist, but this was not one of them. Some of the kill scenes and the scenes where he was coming to terms with what he was doing were extremely well done and some of the strongest moments the film had to offer.

Don't come into this film looking for any kind of light relief. The subject matter is heavy and the film handles itself in like-wise fashion from start to finish. It's a well told story though that will certainly leave audiences with some thinking and reflecting to do. 7.5/10.

With the seamless performances of the cast the Holy Spider takes a radical look at the social trends, culture, policing and religion. When the story considered the mood is not that of Hollywood style. It's rawness is what induces the nauseating effect of heinous crimes we see a bored mental patient commits. Visuals are sharp and precise. The cinematic take is powerful enough to make anyone reconsider their notions about underprivileged. The political read is extremely well-done. It shows how Saeed becomes a vessel for his society's hate. Description on societal nativity is excellent. Holy Spider is a different way of looking at the known ugliness.

The movie beautifully portrays the injustice that women face in Iran, and how corrupt the justice and jurisdiction system is. I used to live in Iran as a child and I remember the how terribly people were being treated in the name of "Allah and Islam". To me, this movie was extremely thrilling because it resurfaced some of my childhood traumas, and that tells me how relatable and well made this movie is. The actors and actresses were absolutely amazing. Making a movie outside of Iran about inside of Iran is not easy. I can't imagine how difficult it was for the actors and actresses get mentally prepared for their roles and get in character, since they all have been living outside of Iran for a long time. Most interesting movie of the year!

Over a relatively short period of time, over a dozen dead women are found bundled by the roadside - and the police are baffled? The women have not been sexually assaulted, but strangled using a knot tied in their headscarves. Not convinced that everything is being done by the authorities, investigative journalist "Rahimi" (Zar Amir-Ebrahimi) decides to get to the truth. Meantime, we follow the life of taxi driver "Saeed" (Mehdi Bajestani) and his daily life helps us to realise that the deceased were prostitutes. Not that he uses them, but pretty soon we realise that the stories are connected. At this point the plot rather falls away - we get to the bottom of the murder-mystery a little too simplistically for my liking; but actually as that plot develops we realise that the whodunit element of the narrative is not the most important one. It rapidly becomes an evaluation of a judicial process - and of vocal popular opinion - that may just indicate that these killings are in someway justifiable. These women, were - after all, sinful and irredeemable. Can the killer capitalise on this zealousness and escape justice? It's quite an intriguing film that looks at how religious faith can butt - head to head - with civic justice; of how the ordinarily law-abiding public themselves can; of how a person can genuinely believe he is doing good by removing "stains" from his community... I cannot believe anyone from the West would watch this with anything other than a feeling of abhorrence at the offences, but this film does attempt to put both sides in a thought-provoking fashion. Though it didn't change my opinion, it did offer a balance that makes the last twenty minutes or so a lot less fait accompli than we might expect. Bajestani is good here and this is more than just a good vs. Evil crime drama. Well worth a watch. Telly will be fine, though.

Holy Spider 2022 is a film that defies conventional storytelling, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and captivating audiences with its sheer brilliance. Directed by the fantastic Ali Abbasi, this Persian masterpiece will leave an unforgettable impression on you.

Based on a true story, from the very first frame to the closing credits, Holy Spider 2022 grabs hold of your attention and refuses to let go. The film's mesmerizing visuals, coupled with the exceptional storytelling, transport viewers into a dark reality about a terrifying serial killer.

The narrative of Holy Spider 2022 is steeped in poetic symbolism, examining profound themes such as religion, community, and the human psyche with unparalleled depth. Each scene is meticulously crafted with intricate attention to detail, capturing the audience's imagination and inviting them on an insane journey.

The haunting score and atmosphere in the movie is absolutely masterfully done. Gives you a disturbing and eerie feeling.

This is a very underrated 10/10 movie and it deserves more recognition.

P. S. I absolutely love Alice Rahimi's powerful performance, she is amazing. And I will looking for future projects she'll be in.

The first half is a pretty effective horror movie when it comes to a modern Jack the Ripper in the 2000s of Iran. There a lot of good scenes that help us go into a mental space. All behind the superficial facade of religion and decadence. The second half would have become even more scarier if it ended how it seemed it would. Good thing it ended the hollywood way...

This sociopath did how he was raised and how he interpreted his religion. It is not a action that everybody would do, even if they think of it and even if they would approve if anybody else would do it. The world, even theirs, ran by their religion, doesn't work like that. The second half was scarier because we were (for a moment) on a path of a revolution of moral values. Some even thought of the lesser evil, and there is a strong discussion here as well I will not go into...but in the end true fundamental morals won.

As someone who actually lives in the city the events of this movie happened in any bad review of this movie usually containing bad and broken english is not a real person and either is someone trying to make this movie look bad or it is someone working for the corrupt islamic regime of iran, this movie perfectly shows the social situation of iran and the city mashhad especially ,women are treated unjustly and un-equally even this movie is labeled as "dishonoring holy beliefs" and therefore is illegal and dont get me started on the cencorship laws perventing this movie ever going on screen in iran atleast under the islamic regime ,but anyways the movie.

Unfun fact the interview footage at the end of the movie is based of what the son of saeed hanaee(the spider killers real name) actually said in an actual interview...

Where to even start the cinematography ,the lighting ,the atmosphere the feeling it gives you as characters panic you are on the edge of your seat panic-ing with them everything about this movie is just perfect but a warning to anyone light hearted or anyone who gets uncomfortable easily and all that this movie for lack of a better word decimates you ,at about the halfway point I was physically exhausted and had to take a break ,I noticed I was tense and was contracting muscles in some really disturbing scenes ,This movie is just something else ,A True Masterpiece.

Holy Spider, considering the fact that it shows the radical face of the Islamic government in Iran (something that Iranian filmmakers are not allowed to make due to censorship and threats) and that it was made in a country other than the origin of the events (which causes only Iranians to have problems in the scene design) and understand the places) is a powerful film and has been able to depict the harms and sufferings of the plague of radical religious thoughts in a religious country due to the good script and strong performances of the actors. If we want to compare a fictional film with the documentary version of the courtship, due to the many differences in the content of these two types, it is so absurd and stupid that it is better not to even try to make this comparison.

Based on a true story of Saeed hanaei,a man who killed 16 sex workers in iran,and branded as a super hero... Though being cruel and shocking,surprisingly reaches to a tight & tense situation of what's happening in iran currently & high society conservatives influencing the monster and symbolising them as saviour of sin indulging in heroic act... Zar Amir ibrahami upholds the movie with her strong morality breaking the stereotypes of women's life in iran...she was honoured with best actress award at the Cannes too... Mehdi bajestani delivers quitely & deadly at times,his body language sends some spine chilling unsettling moments that's hard to beat out... Overall a genuine piece of cinema...

Denmark's official Oscar submission for International Film (short-listed, but not nominated) Ali Abbasi's grim HOLY SPIDER is based on a series of murders of prostitutes in Iran during 2000 and 2001. 16 women in total were killed. In Abbasi's telling, the focus is split between the murderer and a female journalist investigating the case.

Rahimi (Zar Amir-Ebrahimi) is a reporter who comes to the holy city of Mashhad to uncover what is behind these homicides. She is portrayed as a liberated crusader who lets nothing, including the shady local police, get in her way. Abbasi (who co-wrote with a pair of writers) hasn't structured the movie as a mystery. The killer, Saeed (a chilling Mehdi Bajestani), is revealed quite early on. A family man and war veteran, Saeed sees himself to be on a holy mission to rid his city of the evils of society embodied by these ladies of the night.

HOLY SPIDER is a movie of contradictions. It does ask the provocative question of whether murder is ever justified if the killer feels they are serving a higher purpose. Saeed is a father, but, he is exterminating some women who are parents as well (not to mention being daughters). He is also depicted as being a very religious disciple (the term fatwa is cited). Rahimi, the reporter, also crosses several journalistic lines - but, is she justified if it solves the case?

Those are all fascinating questions, but, Abbasi's filmmaking is disconcerting. He feels it necessary to detail several murders in gruesome, graphic detail. They often feel like they are from a grimy 70s grindhouse film. Further, he starts the movie showing one of the victims topless. Not in a sexual way at all, but, as she dresses getting ready to put her kid to bed. There is no story reason to do so; It feels as if its almost a provocation to Iranian and religious authorities who might see the film (on cue, HOLY SPIDER has been condemned by those very figures). Abbasi also takes liberties with the facts of the case such as showing one of the murders taking place on 9/11 - even though Saeed had already been arrested by that date. Another provocation.

There is no question that the Spider murders is an important case. The current protests by Iranian women gives the movie added urgency. The acting and technical aspects are extremely well handled. Still, the viciousness and repetitiveness of the killing scenes never seem justified; Further, by showing them in such thorough detail, they take away some of the impact from a pair of climactic scenes later on. By then, the viewer is inured from any shock value. The ultimate contradiction here is whether Abbasi's choices do more to honor or to dishonor the victims.

It wouldn't be good if it goes longer. However, have no idea whether the author wanted to show what is right(execution of the guilty person) or how it should be done(said in the last speech of one of characters)?! We know that everywhere corruption is present, mostly when taking the power is the question, but someone is guilty for killing whatever power is and I guess it is the right message. The point is that through propaganda to big masses can be imposed that in the holy name of religion everything may be protected, even that kind of killing of prostitutes, but thanks there is still some law, as it is in Iran, justice can be served.

I congratulate the people involved in making this extremely valuable movie. Cinematic works related to Iran that are made outside of Iran without the support of the Iranian government often follow one of these two paths. Either their film is a film with formal games and a bad story (such as Women Without Men and Rhinoceros) or a film that is not refined, which is deliberately produced for an audience in a small geographical area (like almost all films that focus on Iran environment or character) The brightness of the holy spider requires another space to write but I would like to express my sincere thanks to the creators of this work for not stepping in either of those two paths.

Ali Abbasi's portrayal of the serial killings of prostitutes serves as a powerful indictment of the blind adherence to faith in a religiously indoctrinated city in Iran.

The script centers on a man consumed by his love and obedience to his beliefs, convinced that he is on a divine mission to rid the streets of immorality justifying or rather reassuring his deranged mind that all that innocent lives he takes are nothing but necessary sacrifices.

When the killer is finally apprehended, the unwavering support for his release as well as for his heinous actions force us to reflect on the troubling state of a country blinded by faith whose citizens are willing to condone such atrocities in the name of the god.

A deeply saddening and unfortunate reality from where there seems no escape.

No pun intended - I won't tell you what you should be thinking about or not. I can tell you what the movie is giving you ... quite a lot and a lot being heavy. This is not an easy movie to watch. I was not aware of the real life incidents and individuals that are being shown here - and while this is a dramatization (I reckon), there seems a lot to be quite close to what actually happened I assume.

Very well acted and suspensful from start to finish. We never lose sight of our villain - but we also get to see a lot that made him the way he is. There are things that may only apply to his perception .. especially true when it comes to his ... let's call it judgement. No matter what religion you believe in - none of them say you should do evil against others! Quite the opposite - you are sinning if you do.

Still people feel the need to go to certain lengths. The acting in the movie is more than rock solid. It lets you feel the characters and their despair ... it lets you have a look into a society that deems women second class citizens ... and those who sin not even as such ... less than a human. Something rotten ... again tough to watch but almost also essential. And another early entry or rather application for my top list of the year already ...

Arezoo Rahimi (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) is a journalist investigating the serial killings of sex workers in the Iranian holy city of Mashhad by a murderer known as the "Spider Killer," who believes to be doing God's work by cleansing the streets of corrupted souls.

Directed by Ali Abbasi, Holy Spider is based on the true story of Saeed Hanaei, an Iranian serial killer who murdered 16 prostitutes between 2000 and 2001. This is a film engaging from the start due to how the information is presented and letting the audience feel part of the oppressive nightscape of Mashhad, where terror looms as an uninvited guest.

Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Mehdi Bajestani offer strong performances that capture how invested one can be in a given job, even if it is to our detriment, and how someone can believe they are the vessels of a greater cause that commands their participation to achieve its goal.

It is in this sense that the words expressed by philosopher Slavoj Zizek come to mind when he refers to the famous Dostoevsky's statement, "If there is no God, everything is permitted," and inverts it by saying, "If there is a God, then anything is permitted," indicating that if the idea of the existence of God can serve as a platform for anyone to consider themselves as the medium of transcendental will and therefore, by their reasoning, be more than justified to do as they please.

In the movie, the serial killer believes he is doing good and Allah is content with his mission. An idea that echoes in part of the society as they think of the spider killer as someone who did no wrong and should face no punishment. Abbasi stated that one of the ideas behind the film was to portray not a murderer but a serial killer society, and this is the pessimism of the movie and what truly frightens while watching it. Many times, horror is not found in the personified singular but in the anonymous collective.

I knew this new film from Ali Abassi would be something special but I didn't know what kind of special it would be. After seeing his entirely insane last film, BORDER, which was equal parts mystifying, disturbing, creative, and confusingly endearing, I would have watched a follow-up about just about anything. And, what a hard shift this is from the fantasy realm of Border to such a dead serious, bleak, violent, and incredibly apt film about some of the darkest facets of Iranian culture. Border is incredible but this outdoes it.

What really sets Holy Spider apart from other serial killer thrillers is that, though the man committing the murders is despicable, he is not portrayed as the primary villain - there is a greater villain in this film and that's the culture itself, conditioning everyone to inhumane states, widely swayed by religion. Who's truly to blame? The killer? The government? The media? Religion? Holy Spider does an incredible job of making the viewer ponder all of this, and the raw reality of it hits like a sledgehammer. It is very bold to see someone making a film that criticizes an entire country's culture in such a blunt manner, but Abassi is Iran-born so it feels very much from the heart and soul, from pain and fear, made with passion.

This will not be a FUN viewing for almost anyone, by any means, but that is far from the point. The murders are extremely realistic and filled my eyes with tears several times. The performances are flawless. The directing and pacing are immaculate. The creepy atmosphere stays locked in - the dread is real. The tension and intrigue builds slowly but surely. The film only gets better as it goes.

Honestly, if I've seen any movie that deserves awards this year, its this one. Mehdi Bajestani pulls off an immensely challenging and complex character, and he doesn't even have a profile picture on IMDb. He is entirely terrifying. Zar Amir-Ebrahimi is also a wonderful protagonist with an immense amount of depth - likable but always on edge, you are living the tension through and with her.

What else can I say? This movie is insanely heavy but it's a damn masterpiece. Ali Abassi is a filmmaking force. I will be watching everything he does from here on out.