
While driving at night with his pregnant wife, Eghbal accidentally kills a dog and finds himself stranded. He seeks assistance at a garage run by Vahid, who mistakenly believes him to be the prison officer who previously tortured him. Vahid abducts Eghbal with the intent to bury him alive, but begins to question his certainty. To verify Eghbal’s identity, Vahid brings other former victims along, leading to a tense journey where they debate the morality of their actions and the true identity of their captive.
Does It Was Just an Accident have end credit scenes?
No!
It Was Just an Accident does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of It Was Just an Accident, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Discover where to watch It Was Just an Accident online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
See how It Was Just an Accident is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where It Was Just an Accident stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
It Was Just an Accident receives a strong overall reception, with critics emphasizing its thematic depth, persuasive direction, and resonant moral inquiry. The film is praised for its layered narrative, compelling performances, and a tonal balance that blends tension, humour, and political urgency. While sensory elements are noted but less frequently highlighted, the work is regarded as a noteworthy addition to Panahi's oeuvre, offering lasting relevance and rewatch potential.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for It Was Just an Accident
Art & Craft
In terms of direction and craft, critics highlight Panahi's steady work rate and masterful balancing of tension, humour, and visual composition. Observations note a bold thematic execution and a disciplined visual style that supports the film’s political thrust. The consensus points to a high level of artistic competency, making the craft aspect a notable strength.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to character and emotional resonance, reviewers commend the film's empathy and moral dilemma portrayal, describing the characters as richly drawn and impactful. Performances are noted as powerful and nuanced, fostering a deep audience connection. Overall, the character work is viewed as solid and contributes significantly to the film’s emotional urgency.
Story & Flow
The story receives particular praise for its engaging plot, moral complexity, and a finale described as near‑perfect. Critics cite its originality in merging revenge thriller with absurdist comedy and its capacity for reflective discourse on justice. The narrative structure and pacing are seen as cohesive, making the storytelling aspect a central strength.
Sensory Experience
Sensory experience is acknowledged through mentions of pitch‑black humour, tension, and a layered soundscape that supports the film’s tonal shifts. While visual and auditory elements are praised, they receive fewer explicit references than other aspects. Consequently, the sensory component is regarded as competent and atmospheric, though not the film’s primary highlight.
Rewatch Factor
Rewatch factor is highlighted by critics noting the film’s lasting appeal, active spectatorship, and powerful payoff that rewards multiple viewings. The moral ambiguities and layered themes are described as prompting ongoing reflection, suggesting strong replay value. Overall, the film is seen as one that retains relevance and engagement over repeated watches.
98%
TOMATOMETER
91%
User Score
7.7 /10
IMDb Rating
71
%
User Score
4.0
From 355 fan ratings
Read the complete plot summary of It Was Just an Accident, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
A man with a prosthetic leg is driving his car at night with his wife and daughter when he accidentally hits and kills a dog. To repair his car, he visits a nearby garage where Salar notices him from the sound his prosthetic leg makes after he speaks to his mother on the phone. The next day, Vahid follows the man, kidnaps him, and attempts to bury him in the desert. He tells him that he recognized his voice and stumbling walk as that of Eghbal (nicknamed “peg leg”), his former tormentor in an Iranian prison. The man denies being Eghbal and begs Vahid not to kill him, saying that the scars on his leg are recent, unlike Eghbal’s.
Doubting the man’s identity, Vahid puts his unconscious body into the van and visits Salar at a bookshop. Salar refuses to help him identify the man but directs him to a woman named Shiva, a photographer in the middle of taking wedding photos of Goli and Ali, an engaged couple to be married the next day. Reluctant to help, Shiva recognizes the smell of the man as Eghbal but is unsure of his identity due to the fact that they were blindfolded during their torture/interrogations. Goli reveals that she was tortured by Eghbal but cannot confirm his identity either, so they seek out the help of Hamid, Shiva’s former partner, drugging their captive first and plugging his ears.
Hamid instantly identifies the man as Eghbal after touching his legs and insists on killing him right away, but Vahid and Shiva hold him back, as they wish to hear him testify first. At that time, a cellphone rings from the man’s body. Vahid picks it up and hears the man’s daughter, The Little Girl, who claims that her pregnant mother has fainted. The group visit the man’s house and drive his daughter with her mother to a hospital, where the mother gives birth to a son.
Hamid, Goli, and Ali grow frustrated and decide to leave Vahid and Shiva behind. The two then drive the man to a quiet location at night, tie him up to a tree, wake him up, and demand that he testify. The man first claims mistaken identity again, but then caves in and acknowledges that he is Eghbal, saying that his actions were justified for the good of the Iranian regime and that killing him would merely make him a martyr. Vahid and Shiva recount the torment they experienced in detail to Eghbal and tell him that his wife has given birth to a son. Shiva demands that Eghbal apologize and after a back-and-forth, he caves in and says that he is sorry, claiming that he was only trying to make a living. Vahid then sets Eghbal free and drives away with Shiva.
Later, Vahid and his mother prepare the van for his sister. A white car, similar to Eghbal’s car, is seen entering the area while Vahid enters the house to retrieve something. He suddenly stops in his tracks. The sound of Eghbal’s squeaky prosthetic leg is heard, slowly approaching.
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