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Drama

Shayda (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Shayda (2023) movie poster

Shayda is a 2023 drama directed by Noora Niasari, starring Zar Amir Ebrahimi as Shayda, Leah Purcell and Selina Zahednia. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $311,801 worldwide. It won 1 award from 10 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2024. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$311.8K
award won
1
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Shayda (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Director
Noora Niasari
Genre
Drama
Original language
Persian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shayda About?

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

Seeking asylum in Australia, a mother and daughter find refuge in a women’s shelter, embracing Persian traditions as they navigate a new life. Their fragile peace is threatened when the mother’s estranged husband unexpectedly returns, forcing her to confront difficult truths about family, freedom, and the challenges of rebuilding a life after trauma.

Shayda Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • character name as title
  • female protagonist
  • mother
  • daughter
  • life
  • young
  • bedwetting
  • wetting pants
  • 6 year old
  • mother daughter relationship
  • little girl
  • women's shelter
+10 more
  • australia
  • nowruz
  • iranian
  • abusive husband
  • title directed by female
  • husband wife relationship
  • haircut
  • dancing
  • freedom
  • father daughter relationship
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Cast & crew

Shayda Cast & Characters

Zar Amir Ebrahimi leads the cast as Shayda, with Leah Purcell as Joyce and Selina Zahednia as Mona. Directed by Noora Niasari; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Noora Niasari

One more film directed by Noora Niasari: Tâm.

Full filmography
Ratings

Shayda Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Shayda 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

78 /100

Shayda Echo Score Breakdown

Shayda is a confident debut that excels in its visual execution and character work while offering a measured narrative pace. The direction demonstrates control of mood and atmosphere, supported by cinematography that underscores both tension and tenderness. Performances deliver nuanced emotional depth and authentic chemistry, grounding the film’s thematic weight. While the plot occasionally feels ordinary, its focused intimacy leaves a lasting impression overall.

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

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, Shayda’s direction shows assured pacing and deliberate mood control. Critics highlight the film’s sure-footed visual style and precise framing that balance tension with moments of calm. The editing maintains narrative clarity while the production design grounds the setting in subtle but telling details. Overall, the film’s technical approach reinforces its emotional core.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Shayda offers compelling performances anchored by the lead’s quiet ferocity. Reviews note the film humanizes its protagonist with layers of fear, gratitude, and resilience. The chemistry with the child actor adds authenticity to their bond, elevating emotional stakes. Altogether, the portrayals provide a resonant examination of agency under duress.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, Shayda unfolds with consistent pacing and atmospheric build-up. The narrative navigates cultural constraints and personal liberation with measured progression. Some observers found the plot’s straightforward trajectory occasionally lacks surprising developments, yet the focused scope maintains engagement. Ultimately, the film’s structural simplicity underscores its intimate exploration of survival.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Regarding the sensory experience, Shayda employs a restrained soundscape and an understated score that enhance the film’s emotional texture. The visual style favors muted tones and careful lighting to reflect the protagonist’s inner state. Sound design subtly emphasizes ambient environments without overwhelming narrative focus. This cohesive orchestration of audio and visuals deepens audience immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering the rewatch factor, Shayda’s weighty themes and deliberate pacing may limit frequent revisits for some viewers. The intimate portrayal of abuse and recovery offers depth, but its tension-driven structure lacks lighter counterpoints that often invite repeat viewing. Nevertheless, the film’s nuanced performances and thematic richness provide enduring value on subsequent viewings.

Plot

Shayda Plot Summary

What happens in Shayda from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Shayda, an Iranian immigrant, and Joyce are at an airport in 1995, teaching Mona to run to the security line if her father, Hossein, ever tries to abduct her. They, along with several other women with children, live in a crowded women’s shelter run by Joyce. The atmosphere is protective but tense, and conflicts among residents are a frequent undercurrent in their shared space.

Full summary

The whole story of Shayda, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Shayda Box Office

Shayda grossed $311,801 worldwide. $61,694 came from the US and Canada and $250,107 (80%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$311.8K

US & Canada
$61.7K
International
$250.1K
US & Canada 20% Rest of the world 80%
Awards

Shayda Awards & Nominations

Shayda won 1 award from 10 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2024. Its biggest night was the AACTA Awards 2024, with 1 win from 9 nominations.

1 win10 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Shayda Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 3 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip Clip
  • Clip "See the Stars" Official Clip
  • Clip Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Shayda?

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 name of the main character who flees to a women's shelter in Australia?

Details

Shayda Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “پاییز شیدا” and “셰이다”.

Also known as
  • پاییز شیدا
  • 셰이다
  • 谢达
  • 伊人敢自強
  • שיידה
  • Şeyda
  • Шайда
  • Šajdá

Seen Shayda?

FAQ

Shayda FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Shayda?

Shayda runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was Shayda released?

Shayda was released on December 1, 2023.

Who directed Shayda?

Shayda was directed by Noora Niasari.

More films by Noora Niasari

Who is in the cast of Shayda?

Shayda stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi as Shayda, Leah Purcell as Joyce and Selina Zahednia as Mona, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Shayda make at the box office?

Shayda grossed $311,801 worldwide ($61,694 domestic, $250,107 international).

How is Shayda rated?

Shayda has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

What awards did Shayda win?

Shayda won 1 award from 10 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2024.

Does Shayda have a post-credit scene?

No. Shayda has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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