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Drama thriller

A Hero (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Hero (2022) movie poster

A Hero is a 2022 drama thriller directed by Asghar Farhadi, starring Amir Jadidi as Rahim Soltani, Mohsen Tanabandeh and Maryam Shahdaei. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $2.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$2.9M
Echo Score
88
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A Hero (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 7m (127 min)
Director
Asghar Farhadi
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
Persian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Hero About?

The premise of A Hero without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

While on a temporary release from prison, Rahim tries to negotiate with a creditor who's been relentlessly pursuing him for a significant debt. Facing immense pressure and with only two days to resolve the situation, he embarks on a tense journey fraught with uncertainty. As the situation intensifies, Rahim's attempts at redemption become a desperate struggle against a powerful and unforgiving adversary, pushing him to the edge.

A Hero Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • prison
  • taxi
  • bad reputation
  • one word title
  • written by director
  • debt
  • in debt
  • debtor's prison
  • prison leave
  • family relationships
  • handbag
  • taxi driver
+28 more
  • lie
  • television
  • tv news
  • collection
  • collecting money
  • social media
  • father son relationship
  • stuttering
  • fight
  • archeological site
  • begins with prisoner release
  • gold coins
  • tv interview
  • character appears on tv
  • fiance fiancee relationship
  • father disapproves of suitor
  • paroled convict
  • charity event
  • charity benefit
  • rumor
  • false document
  • caught in a lie
  • vicious circle
  • social network
  • iran
  • shiraz iran
  • period drama
  • psychological drama
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Cast & crew

A Hero Cast & Characters

Amir Jadidi leads the cast as Rahim Soltani, with Mohsen Tanabandeh as Bahram and Maryam Shahdaei as Malileh. Directed by Asghar Farhadi; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Hero

· 4 more
Ratings

A Hero Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Hero 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in character & emotion (93) and weakest in sensory experience (78).

88 /100

A Hero Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Hero delivers a consistently high-quality cinematic experience marked by strong direction, nuanced performances, and a thoughtful examination of moral ambiguity. Critics highlight the film’s artistic realism and the cast’s raw, authentic portrayals, while audiences repeatedly commend its emotional depth and relevance. Minor criticisms focus on occasional narrative obviousness and a few pacing lapses, but these do not significantly diminish the film’s impact. The result is a compelling work that resonates long after viewing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits meticulous direction and disciplined production design that reinforce its realist aesthetic. Critics note Farhadi’s unassuming yet precise craftsmanship, with careful framing and restrained editing that maintain narrative focus. Viewers respond to the immersive visual texture, describing the world as convincingly grounded. No significant flaws in cinematography or editing are reported, resulting in a solid technical foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 93

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are consistently praised for their raw honesty and subtle nuance. Critics emphasize the cast’s ability to convey complex moral dilemmas through restrained gestures, while audiences highlight the depth of the protagonist’s journey and the resonant chemistry among the ensemble. The acting is identified as a primary driver of the film’s emotional weight, with few criticisms noted.

  • Story & Flow 80

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative intertwines personal ethics with societal pressures, offering a layered plot that rewards attentive viewing. Reviewers commend the originality of the moral premise and the measured pacing that builds tension, though some note occasional predictability and overly explicit ethical discussions that linger. Overall, the plot is viewed as engaging and thought‑provoking despite these minor imperfections.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score subtly underscore the emotional stakes without overwhelming the narrative. Critics observe an understated musical palette that enhances the realism, while viewers remark on the clear acoustic environment that immerses them in the characters’ everyday spaces. No major detriments to visual cohesion or audio quality are reported, yielding a cohesive sensory texture.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    The rewatch factor is strong, as both critics and audiences suggest the film’s moral ambiguities and realistic details reveal new insights on subsequent viewings. Repeated emphasis on its lasting emotional resonance and the desire to revisit the characters supports a high replay value. Minor narrative repetitiveness may lessen immediate repeatability for some viewers, but overall the film remains compelling enough to merit multiple watches.

Plot

A Hero Plot Summary

What happens in A Hero from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rahim Soltani is granted a temporary release from prison for two days to resolve a debt of 150,000 tomans owed to his brother-in-law, Bahram. During this brief freedom, Rahim’s companion, Farkondeh, stumbles upon a lost handbag filled with gold coins. Eager to settle the outstanding debt, they attempt to sell the coins, only to find that gold has significantly depreciated, making it impossible for Rahim to fully repay Bahram. Seeking shelter, he moves in with his sister, Malileh, and her husband, Hossein.

Full summary

The whole story of A Hero, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Hero Box Office

A Hero grossed $2.9 million worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.9M

International
$2.9M
Videos

A Hero Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Featurette: Writing And Directing A Hero
  • Featurette Scene At The Academy
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Hero?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the amount of debt Rahim owes to his brother-in-law Bahram?

Details

A Hero Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Ghahreman” and “Qahreman”.

Also known as
  • Ghahreman
  • Qahreman
  • Un héros
  • Kahraman
  • Un héroe
  • Um herói
  • 伊朗式英雄
  • Un eroe
  • 어떤 영웅
  • Герой
  • Sankari
  • A hős
+15 more
  • 一个英雄
  • Bohater
  • Heroj
  • A Hero - Die verlorene Ehre des Herrn Soltani
  • Ένας Ήρωας
  • Hrdina, გმირი
  • 我不是英雄
  • Un erou
  • Un heroi
  • הגיבור
  • 英雄の証明
  • Um Hero
  • Junak
  • Herojus
  • A Hero คนดีไม่มีที่อยู่

Seen A Hero?

FAQ

A Hero FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of A Hero, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Hero?

A Hero runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).

When was A Hero released?

A Hero was released on January 7, 2022.

Who directed A Hero?

A Hero was directed by Asghar Farhadi.

More films by Asghar Farhadi

Who is in the cast of A Hero?

A Hero stars Amir Jadidi as Rahim Soltani, Mohsen Tanabandeh as Bahram and Maryam Shahdaei as Malileh, among 8 credited actors.

How much did A Hero make at the box office?

A Hero grossed $2.9 million worldwide.

How is A Hero rated?

A Hero has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does A Hero have a post-credit scene?

No. A Hero has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is A Hero in?

The original language of A Hero is Persian.

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