Capsule review of “Holy Spider”

Filmed in Jordan, “HOLY SPIDER”, co-produced by Nordisk Production, was inspired by true events that happened in Mashhad, Iran, in the early 2000’s. The serial killer was, nick named “Holy Spider” by the media…….This description was referenced by the fact he would pick victims from around the location of The Holy Shrine, depicted in the opening scene of the film, showing an octagon shape from above, with streets stretched along each side of the shrine, compared to a spider’s legs.

……The killer targeted women sex workers frequenting that area, to cleanse the so-called “Holy” city of Mashad from corruption vice and sin. The majority, of these sex workers were forced into prostitution by circumstances such as poverty, sexual abuse, and family related reasons.

NOTE

The scenes of murder and abduction are quite graphic, and this may not be an easy film for some to watch! However, as the story progresses, the director, Ali Abbasi moves the investigation into a different phase with less violence, as he portrays every layer of the real corruption, that is rooted in a system with religion at its core. Abassi’s intention as evidenced in the last scene of the film, is to show that life for women in Iran is not easy, and remains very much the same, even though 2 decades have passed since the crimes and trial took place.

……..Rahimi (played by talented Zar Amir-Ebrahimi), a journalist from Tehran, is invited by Sharifi a fellow journalist, to help with the investigation. Rahimi is determined to solve the case and feels that the investigation and lack of results is due to police corruption and a conspiracy impede its progress. We see from Rahimi’s arrival at the hotel, it is clear, that, she has stepped into a male dominated society, when she is questioned on why she is travelling alone with no man accompanying her and subsequently is booked into the hotel when she produces her identity as a journalist.
……..Rahimi’s investigation makes little progress as she is with a patriarchal system that condemns her every step of the way. In fact the police chief attempts to force his advances on her in her hotel room and the judge eludes most, of her questions.
….In the meantime, the brutal killings continue in parallel with Rahimi’s investigation and over time, the number of victims reaches a national scale in Iran, with sixteen murders being reported by the media. The case is going nowhere and there seems to be no alternative, but for Rahimi to take matters into her own hands. Assisted by Sharifi, she decides to use herself as bait to catch the infamous “Holy Spider” The plan with a few setbacks on the way is somehow successful. And the “Holy Spider” is arrested.

……Identified as a middle-aged construction worker named Saeed, the killer seems to have a normal family relationship, but is clearly mentally unstable believing in his holy crusade and his methods. Saeed shows no remorse for his killings, and all his friends and family approve of his actions. He is regarded as a hero in Mashad’s religious circles.

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The rest of the film as noted above takes on a new dynamic with some interesting scenes to emphasize the director’s point of view.

Note: Our fellow reviewer David House passed this article on Variety today:

‘Holy Spider’ Star Zar Amir Ebrahimi Was Banned From Iranian Cinema and Sentenced to Prison. Now She’s a Lead Actress Oscar Contender.