Second Sight, out now

‘Dead people don’t dream.’ 

I’ve seen other reviews that draw comparisons between Under the Shadow and films like The Ring and The Babadook, and I can sort of see where they’re coming from. But, make no mistake about it, this is a movie unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.

Tehran, 1988, at the height of the conflict – and Shideh (Narges Rashidi) is told in no uncertain terms that she can’t return to medical school because she was politically active when she was younger. Something that’s not really helped by the fact her husband Iraj (Bobby Naderi) is a practising doctor, a qualification he got while she was bringing up their daughter Dorsa (Avin Manshadi). Next thing you know, he’s drafted to serve in the Iran-Iraq war, leaving both of them behind to cope.

As the bombing gets worse in their area, Shideh becomes increasingly concerned about Dorsa – who claims that an evil djinn has targeted them. To begin with Shideh dismisses this as nonsense, just fairy tales, but when her daughter becomes sick and her doll goes missing – djinns form attachments to people through personal possessions – she begins to take it more seriously. And when Shideh begins to have disturbing nightmares/visions herself, she finds herself embroiled in a battle to stop her world from crashing down around her… literally. Will she succeed? You’ll just have to watch to find out.

A timely new release for this 2016 movie, Under the Shadow is not only a terrifying experience (I defy anyone not to jump at one particular scene… I’ll just say ‘teeth’), it also stands as a reminder of the human cost of warfare in countries such as Iran. There’s a scene at the beginning where a missile lands in the distance which we see through a window and no-one even takes any notice, it’s become so commonplace; a horrific notion in itself. It’s a very clever movie, using satisfying mirrors and local mythology to excellent effect – as all good genre fare should. The characterisation and the acting is spot-on, and we really feel for Shideh and her struggles – not only physical, but her fight to be a strong woman within the limits of that kind of society.

Special features on this limited run of 2,000 copies include writer/director Babak Anvari’s BAFTA Award-nominated short, Two & Two; interviews with him, Rashidi, producers Lucan Toh and Oliver Roskill, cinematographer Kit Fraser; plus audio commentary from Anvari and Jamie Graham. It also comes in a slipcase with new artwork from Christopher Shy, and is accompanied by a book of freshly-penned essays about the movie and a poster. In short, an essential buy.

Verdict: ‘They travel on the wind.’                    10/10    

Paul Kane

 Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk

Sci-Fi Bulletin’s interview with writer/director Babak Anvari will be live shortly.