Watch Under the Shadow

Under the Shadow is a horror movie set in the midst of the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s. The movie was directed by Babak Anvari and stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, and Bobby Naderi. Shideh (Narges Rashidi) is a former medical student who is now a housewife living in a war-torn Tehran. She is frustrated with restrictions on her life as a woman and the fact that the university expelled her because of her political activism. Her husband Iraj (Bobby Naderi) is a doctor who is frequently called upon to help with the military effort, but he is skeptical of the supernatural events that occur in their home.

Shideh and Iraj's daughter, Dorsa (Avin Manshadi), suffers from nightmares and is afraid of the bombs that occasionally drop nearby. Soon, the family begins to experience strange occurrences in their apartment. Dorsa's doll goes missing, and her mother starts to see shadows and hear whispering voices. At first, Shideh believes that the situation is the result of her own anxiety and stress. But as the phenomena continue to escalate, Shideh becomes increasingly convinced that they are being haunted by a djinn, a malevolent spirit from Islamic mythology.

Under the Shadow is a slow-burning horror movie that relies on atmosphere and tension-building rather than cheap jump scares. The director uses the war-torn setting to great effect, depicting a society under extreme stress while also exploring the limitations placed on women in Iranian culture. The tension between Shideh and Iraj is subtle but palpable, hinting at deeper relationship problems that exacerbate the supernatural threat.

The movie is notable for its nuanced portrayal of the djinn, which is a staple of Middle Eastern mythology. Rather than simply being an evil entity, the djinn is presented as a complex and ambiguous force that is both malevolent and sympathetic. The ambiguity of the supernatural threat adds to the tension and makes the movie's resolution all the more satisfying.

The acting in Under the Shadow is excellent across the board, but Narges Rashidi's performance as Shideh is a standout. She convincingly portrays a woman whose frustration and anxiety are gradually giving way to terror and despair. Rashidi's naturalistic acting style makes it easy to believe in the reality of the characters' experiences.

One of the movie's strengths is its use of sound. The eerie whispers and creaking noises that permeate the apartment create an atmosphere of oppressive dread. Similarly, the sound of the bombs dropping nearby serves to heighten the sense of danger and helplessness.

In conclusion, Under the Shadow is a well-crafted horror movie that is both intelligent and effective. Its setting and mythology are refreshingly original and add depth to the story. The director's focus on character development and atmosphere-building create a sense of realism that makes the supernatural elements all the more terrifying. The movie is a must-see for fans of slow-burning horror and anyone interested in Middle Eastern mythology.

Under the Shadow is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 83.