Under the Shadow
زیر سایه
After Shideh's building is hit by a missile during the Iran-Iraq War, a superstitious neighbor suggests that the missile was cursed and might be carrying malevolent Middle-Eastern spirits. She becomes convinced a supernatural force within the building is attempting to possess her daughter Dorsa, and she has no choice but to confront these forces if she is to save her daughter and herself.
Why it matters
A tense, atmospheric fusion of political turmoil and supernatural dread that redefines Middle Eastern horror through a feminist lens.
- Rooted in the Iran-Iraq War, the film uses real historical trauma to amplify its claustrophobic, haunting spirit possession story.
- Leila Hatami delivers a quietly powerful performance as a mother balancing grief, fear, and superstition under siege.
- Director Babak Anvari blends folk horror with psychological terror, crafting an eerie, oppressive urban nightmare rarely seen outside Western settings.
- Practical shadow effects and subtle sound design create a creeping sense of unease rather than cheap jump scares—perfect for fans of slow-burn, culturally rich horror.
Director
3 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
83
Psychological
100
Supernatural
100
Creature
0
Disturbing
67
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
99
Survival
50
Supernatural
