The Seed of the Sacred Fig

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The Seed of the Sacred Fig

PG-13

2024

2h 47m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

161 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof's award-winning thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

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Critics Consensus

A searing indictment of oppressive rule, whether it be of a nation or in a household, The Seed of the Sacred Fig functions both as compelling drama and powerful political statement.

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Nicolas Rapold

Sight & Sound

Dec 31, 2025

His film deserves to be regarded on its own terms, as an eloquent record of and warning to a regime clinging to power at the expense of freedom.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Mar 3, 2025

4/5

It’s all about power’s capacity to corrupt and in that sense, it’s a universal story, but it’s also another courageous indictment of the Iranian system.

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Wenlei Ma

The Nightly (AU)

Mar 1, 2025

4/5

With The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Mohammad Rasoulof has crafted a searing morality tale powered by charged performances

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Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Jul 29, 2026

4/5

An Iranian thriller providing an opportunity to feel compassion for a judge working in an oppressive regime.

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Christos Tsiolkas

The Saturday Paper

Jul 23, 2026

It’s too long, too earnest and it never achieves the tragic denouement it so clearly wants to deliver. Yet for all its failures, it is a searing indictment of an authoritarian misogynist state. This core of rage keeps it compelling.

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Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

Dec 4, 2025

6/10

"Cinema, like life itself, cannot flourish under the yoke of fear. But if these filmmakers have proven anything, it is that no matter how hard they try, repression cannot erase art. " [Full review in Spanish]

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Marina R

Feb 28, 2025

Absolutely stunning and moving.

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Gary G

Feb 22, 2025

Definitely a change of pace and not for most... but I love movies in general.

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Elsie M

Feb 11, 2025

A little long but a fantastic film. It deserved the nomination for Best International Film.

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American White Guy

Feb 7, 2025

Well put together movie. It was so compelling that my 15 year old son wants to go see it again (not your normal 15 yr old). The subtle tension is so well done, very watchable film. Gripping story.

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Corey J

Feb 5, 2025

This film showed that struggle doesn't discriminate

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Mr. Hollywood

Feb 3, 2025

Starts out good enough and goes on toward an ending that is out of left field that feels like something a writer just came up with. Not as great as the accolades suggests and it seems like it got the attention because the marketing of this film main point was that this film had to be made in secret. Like ok why not focus on the film itself, and when you watch it you see why

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Mohammad Rasoulof

Director

Missagh Zareh

Iman

Soheila Golestani

Najmeh

Mahsa Rostami

Rezvan

Setareh Maleki

Sana

Amineh Mazrouie Arani

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Synopsis

Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof's award-winning thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
Producer: Mohammad Rasoulof, Amin Sadraei, Jean-Christophe Simon, Mani Tilgner, Rozita Hendijanian
Screenwriter: Mohammad Rasoulof
Distributor: NEON
Production Co: arte France Cinéma, Parallel45, Run Way Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Smoking|Some Language|Thematic Content)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 11, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $852.7K
Runtime: 2h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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