Ali Abbasi presented "Holy Spider" as a thriller-investigation drama by dramatizing the heartbreaking & shocking true story of a serial killing in Iran which targeted commercial sex workers under the guise of religion.
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Saeed Hanaei (Saeed Azimi in the film), who was nicknamed "Spider Killer" in the press, was arrested in 2001 for murdering 16 sex workers in Mashhad. Despite the horrific crime, Hanaei has become a folk hero among the religious right, as he claims that he was on a divine mission to purge the city of prostitution. This isn't the first time Hanaei has been featured in a film - there has already been a documentary and feature film made about him.
This film captures the grim reality of the life of female sex workers in Iran through the eyes of female journalist Arezoo Rahimi - played by Zar Amir Ebrahimi who won Best Actress at 2022 Cannes Film Festival for her role. She's great here.
Zar Amir Ebrahimi's acting in this film is outstanding. Even though the character is not based on a real person, she brings it to life. Her performance allows us to feel as if there is a true serial killer lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
What's truly horrifying about this movie is not the murder scenes, but rather the fact that someone is killing women and using religion as an excuse for their actions, when it should be a source of peace. This is incredibly... EVIL.
The film portrays a "moral police" figure very accurately - someone who is full of themselves and believes they are always right. I have encountered a few people like this myself. What makes the film so powerful is that it subtly reflects the issues that have been common in Iran recently.
Ali Abbasi made no effort to be subtle or symbolic in Holy Spider; it is quite obvious what he is trying to communicate as a filmmaker. He has an inclination towards making the film appear as realistic as possible, with Rahimi and Saeed functioning as the viewers' guides.
No doubt, Holy Spider's exploration of religious extremism and gender inequity are essential topics and the film doesn't shy away from its fury, particularly in the courtroom sequences where Saeed appears to be exonerated entirely due to his religious faith and loyalty to Iran (or let's say Imam Reza).
It's almost impossible to not feel something when watching these Saeed scenes, even when they don't feature any physical violence. This can be largely attributed to Mehdi Bajestani's remarkable portrayal of Saeed, as he has an unsettling presence in every scene he is in, stirring up feelings of revulsion.
I appreciate Ali Abbasi's approach to this. He offers us an insight into Saeed's life without attempting to evoke emotions of sympathy or humanize him in any way. He's too evil.
Viewers who have experienced persecution and sexual violence may find Holy Spider to be an uncomfortable watch. However, those without such issues can view it on KlikFilm.
, Fictionalized Saeed Hanaei's Story){kind=link}
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