Holy Spider (2022)

[MifuneFan]

I just finished watching Holy Spider (2022) via Netflix, and figured its upcoming Blu-ray release deserved a little more attention. The film is based on the true story of a righteous serial killer in Iran, responsible for over a dozen murders, and an outspoken female journalist on his trail. I thought the film was great. It follows similar paths of other serial killer films, particularly the Japanese film Vengeance is Mine (1979), and Zodiac (both also being based on real-life people). It's also unique for its Iran setting, and the socio-political aspects that go along with that.

The film is shot really nicely too. With a lot of it taking place at night, in deserted streets, and alleys. you definitely get a great sense of the seedy and dark world being captured. It can be a disturbing film at times, and there are some parts at the end that may anger you, but overall, I recommend checking this one out if you have interest in films like this.

Holy Spider Blu-ray

Bonus Materials

• Q&A with Ali Abbasi, moderated by Ana Lily Amirpour
• Q&A with moderator Reza Safai at Laemmle Town Center
• Q&A at IFC Center with Ali Abbasi
• Interview with Director Ali Abbasi
• Interview with Producer Jacob Jarek
• Interview with Actor Mehdi Bajestani
• Interview with Producer Sol Bondy
• Interview with Actor Zar Amir-Ebrahimi
• In Persian with English Subtitles

Holy Spider | Official Trailer | Utopia - YouTube

Female journalist Arezoo Rahimi (Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, White Paradise) travels to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad to investigate a serial killer targeting sex workers. As she draws closer to exposing his crimes, the opportunity for justice grows harder to attain when the murderer is embraced by many as a hero. Based on the true story of the 'Spider Killer' Saeed Hanaei (Mehdi Bajestani, 'Whisper"), who saw himself as on a mission from God as he killed 16 women between 2000 and 2001.

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival (and winner at Cannes for Best Actress, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi), "Holy Spider" was selected as the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards (and made the December shortlist) in this "riveting, true-crime serial killer thriller." (Tom Meek, Cambridge Day)