The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Play trailer

2:11

The Seed of the Sacred Fig

PG-13

Now Playing

2h 47m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 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.

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

The result is a surprising and revelatory film that shakes its first at an authoritarian government and, in doing so, turns into one of the best films of 2024.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 12, 2024

Full Review

Shirley Li

The Atlantic

The emotional reality of living in Iran while holding views that oppose the state, the movie suggests, is anxiety-inducing—almost unfathomably so for those who have never dealt with such restrictions.

Dec 10, 2024

Full Review

Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

But those sequences are a minor distraction, and the rest of the film’s methodical pace, its deliberate unfolding of the family’s growing rifts, feels almost classical, as if we’re watching an old legend fitted to a new age.

Dec 9, 2024

Full Review

Guillem Martinez Oya

Cinematismo

A really good film about how personal life is political [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

there is a good, cohesive film in here, but editor Andrew Bird seemed to prioritize the political and preserving historic social media content, which could have worked with a few adjustments to the story

Dec 21, 2024

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

At 146 minutes, Seed is a bold, multi-genre, highly pertinent film from a courageous, gifted filmmaker. Kudos to Germany for submitting it. It is almost guaranteed a nomination, certain to be shortlisted.

Rated: A-

Dec 19, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

kyu915

Most important movie I’ve seen so far this year. What happens when you force women to go back? Religion should be a comfort held close to the heart and not wielded like a cudgel against family, friends, and the rest of your community.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

Full Review

Jenny

Super powerful movie. All the elements are great: direction, script, acting, cultural relevance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

Full Review

Max

I loved the movie and definitely recommend it. This was a movie showing the suffering of innocent young people in Iran that is not shown by the media and the director risked his life to produce it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/24

Full Review

Geoff Ryan

Beautifully told, emotionally powerful film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

Full Review

Robert B

Disappointing. The premise, acting, and what I think is the point they’re trying to make are all solid, but the whole thing with the gun is just stupid. And the last scene is like a Three Stooges episode without the humor, and a very predictable ending. The movie just doesn’t make sense. Sad because it does make a valid point about life in a theocratic dictatorship. That point deserves a better story though.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

Bob N

This is a fantastic film, beautifully shot and edited. It is a clear indictment of a patriarchal theocracy, but it is also a window into the culture and mores of a nation we in the west have little exposure to. The performance of Soheila Golestani as Najmeh is particularly outstanding.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Mohammad Rasoulof

Director

Missagh Zareh

Iman

Soheila Golestani

Najmeh

Mahsa Rostami

Rezvan

Setareh Maleki

Sana

Amineh Mazrouie Arani

Woman in the Car

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Awards Leaderboard: Best Movies of 2024

Anora Wins Best Picture at Los Angeles Film Critics

The Seed of the Sacred Fig: Trailer 1

2:11

View more videos

View more photos

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 (Smoking|Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Some Language|Thematic Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 2h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now