You are here:
There Is No Evil

There Is No Evil

2020

Director

Mohammad Rasoulof

Runtime

151 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of Iran's strict and oppressive legal system, this anthology film tells the stories of four men who each face a moral crisis when having to deal with death penalties.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.1/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or visible same-sex intimacy. While the oppressive social setting implies suppressed identities, these themes remain purely subtextual rather than central to the narrative.

Gender Representation

Good

Female characters navigate a landscape of systemic constraints, often acting as the moral compass. The film effectively deconstructs patriarchal hierarchies by highlighting the friction between domestic expectations and survival.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

This Iranian production offers a necessary departure from Hollywood-centric norms. It utilizes specific socioeconomic backgrounds to assert cultural specificity and ethnic depth through a non-Western cast.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film provides a profound critique of state authority and religious legalism. It champions moral relativism by portraying defiance of social taboos as a necessary tool for survival.

Disability Representation

Fair

There is no prominent or agentic portrayal of physical or invisible disabilities. The narrative focuses on the psychological weight of legal crises rather than exploring neurodivergence.

Strengths

  • Profound deconstruction of state authority and religious legalism.
  • Strong cultural specificity that avoids Western-centric demographic norms.
  • Effective portrayal of women navigating and challenging patriarchal constraints.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit or agentic LGBTQ+ characterization.
  • Absence of visible or invisible disability representation.
  • Limited exploration of neurodivergence or physical disability within the narrative.

AI Analysis

Mohammad Rasoulof’s anthology film is a sophisticated critique of systemic oppression and institutionalized power. It succeeds by centering the lived realities of individuals fighting against a rigid, masculine-coded legal system. The film's strength lies in its refusal to adhere to Western aesthetic standards, instead offering a deeply localized and culturally specific perspective. However, the work is limited by its narrow focus on moral and legal crises. The absence of explicit LGBTQ+ identities and disability representation prevents a more inclusive score. While these themes may exist as subtext within the oppressive setting, they are not given agency. Ultimately, the film is a powerful assertion of individual agency. It disrupts conventional morality by framing survival-driven defiance as a valid response to corrupt state machinery.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.