Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Animated drama

Tehran Taboo (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Tehran Taboo (2018) movie poster

Tehran Taboo is a 2018 animated drama directed by Ali Soozandeh, starring Adem Karaduman as Mohsens Colleague, Alireza Bayram and Siir Eloglu. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $349,886 worldwide. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$349.9K
Echo Score
75
Loading streaming availability…
Tehran Taboo (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Ali Soozandeh
Genres
Drama , Animation
Original language
Persian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tehran Taboo About?

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

Within the hidden layers of Tehran, unspoken rules are tested as a young woman fights for independence. Her journey intersects with the lives of a compromised judge and a woman struggling with difficult circumstances, revealing the complexities of a society where personal freedom is restricted. The film explores the challenges faced by women striving to overcome societal constraints and seek autonomy in a conservative environment.

Tehran Taboo Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • cat
  • suicide
  • rotoscoping
  • tehran iran
  • prison
  • husband in prison
  • judge
  • nightclub
  • dancing
  • dormitory
  • shower
  • female nudity
+38 more
  • suicide by jumping
  • watching tv
  • drug
  • iran
  • blow job
  • female protagonist
  • taboo
  • snow
  • car accident
  • mother son relationship
  • photograph
  • id photograph
  • ayatollah
  • sex scene
  • piano
  • arrest
  • gynecologist
  • pregnant woman
  • musician
  • sound recording
  • nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • rooftop
  • concubine
  • prostitution
  • bank loan
  • virginity
  • social change
  • court
  • animal cruelty
  • janitor
  • underground party
  • virginity restoration
  • party
  • iran after revolution
  • accordion
  • prank telephone call
  • pregnancy
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Tehran Taboo Cast & Characters

Adem Karaduman leads the cast as Mohsens Colleague, with Alireza Bayram as Mohsen and Siir Eloglu as Schwiegermutter. Directed by Ali Soozandeh; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tehran Taboo

· 6 more
Ratings

Tehran Taboo Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tehran Taboo 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

Tehran Taboo Echo Score Breakdown

Tehran Taboo delivers a compelling examination of social constraints through fearless storytelling and a striking visual approach. The narrative balances bleak humor with moments of potent drama, though some plot threads adhere to predictable arcs. Its vivid rotoscoped animation and measured pacing contribute to a singular viewing experience that feels both immediate and dreamlike. While the film’s unflinching tone may challenge viewers, its incisive critique and emotional directness leave a lasting impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Tehran Taboo’s rotoscoped animation provides a distinctive visual framework that oscillates between vivid realism and stylized abstraction. The jerky motion underscores the film’s blunt critique, though a few viewers note the filter-like texture can feel distancing. Production design and framing emphasize urban claustrophobia, while measured editing anchors the sequences. Overall, the visual technique reinforces the film’s thematic urgency.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film presents women’s narratives with clear trajectories, lending structural clarity but occasionally feeling schematic. Performances are earnest, conveying urban struggles and interpersonal tension, while moments of emotional intensity emerge through understated interactions. The depth of characterization is consistent, though the predictability of some arcs slightly reduces resonance.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the screenplay balances bleak humor with potent dramatic moments, maintaining brisk momentum. The script’s sharp dialogue relieves tension effectively, yet a handful of narrative strands follow foreseeable patterns. Pacing remains measured throughout, allowing thematic threads to converge, though occasional excess undercuts cohesion. Ultimately, the storyline’s incisive critique sustains engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film employs a dynamic soundscape and an evocative musical score that enhance its stark visuals. The rotoscoped imagery, rendered in muted palettes and deep shadows, reinforces the emotional tenor and urban atmosphere. Sound design seamlessly integrates ambient noise, cultivating immersion. Overall, the sensory elements underscore the film’s visceral impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Tehran Taboo’s intense themes and somber tone may limit repeated viewings for some audiences. Its unrelenting critique and heavy atmosphere offer depth on first viewing but can feel emotionally taxing thereafter. However, the film’s nuanced social commentary and dreamlike presentation invite further reflection. Overall, it retains lingering impact despite reduced replay comfort.

Plot

Tehran Taboo Plot Summary

What happens in Tehran Taboo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Pari, the protagonist, finds herself trapped in a dire situation where she cannot obtain a divorce without the consent of her unyielding husband. As a consequence, she has been coerced into prostitution, engaging in sexual acts while her six-year-old son, Elias, is present. In a desperate attempt to change her circumstances, Pari approaches a judge in the Islamic Revolutionary Court to request a divorce, even though her husband does not approve. The judge, however, proposes an alternative solution—a concubine arrangement—and offers her an apartment that he owns, where she subsequently encounters Sara and her husband.

Full summary

The whole story of Tehran Taboo, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Tehran Taboo Box Office

Tehran Taboo grossed $349,886 worldwide. $74,758 came from the US and Canada and $275,128 (79%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$349.9K

US & Canada
$74.8K
International
$275.1K
US & Canada 21% Rest of the world 79%
Videos

Tehran Taboo Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Tehran Taboo.

Tehran Taboo International Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tehran Taboo?

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 Pari's main struggle in the film?

Details

Tehran Taboo Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “تهران تابو” and “Téhéran Tabou”.

Also known as
  • تهران تابو
  • Téhéran Tabou
  • Teheran Tabu
  • Τα μυστικά Της Τεχεράνης
  • Табу в Техеран
  • 德黑兰禁忌
  • 德黑蘭禁忌玫瑰
  • Teheráni tabuk
  • Teheránská tabu
  • Teheran, tabu
  • טהראן טאבו
  • 테헤란 타부

Seen Tehran Taboo?

FAQ

Tehran Taboo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Tehran Taboo?

Tehran Taboo runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Tehran Taboo released?

Tehran Taboo was released on February 14, 2018.

Who directed Tehran Taboo?

Tehran Taboo was directed by Ali Soozandeh.

Who is in the cast of Tehran Taboo?

Tehran Taboo stars Adem Karaduman as Mohsens Colleague, Alireza Bayram as Mohsen and Siir Eloglu as Schwiegermutter, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Tehran Taboo make at the box office?

Tehran Taboo grossed $349,886 worldwide ($74,758 domestic, $275,128 international).

How is Tehran Taboo rated?

Tehran Taboo has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Tehran Taboo have a post-credit scene?

No. Tehran Taboo has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Tehran Taboo in?

The original language of Tehran Taboo is Persian.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app