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Crime thriller

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) movie poster

The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a 2024 crime thriller directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, starring Missagh Zareh as Iman and Reza Akhlaghirad. It runs 2 hours 48 minutes and earned $6.6 million worldwide on a $3 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 84 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$6.6M
award nominations
5
Echo Score
84
Metascore
84
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The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 48m (168 min)
Genres
Crime , Drama , Thriller
Original language
Persian
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Seed of the Sacred Fig About?

The premise of The Seed of the Sacred Fig without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Judge Iman, a man tasked with upholding justice, finds himself consumed by paranoia as political turmoil engulfs Tehran. After his service weapon disappears, he becomes increasingly suspicious of his own wife and daughters, implementing strict and controlling measures within his household. These actions create significant tension and fracture family relationships, mirroring the broader societal breakdown occurring around him.

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Cast & crew

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Cast & Characters

Missagh Zareh leads the cast as Iman, with Reza Akhlaghirad as Ghaderi. Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof.

From the director

More from Mohammad Rasoulof

More films directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, best-rated first: Manuscripts Don't Burn, There Is No Evil, Iron Island and A Man of Integrity.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Seed of the Sacred Fig 84 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

84 /100

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Echo Score Breakdown

The Seed of the Sacred Fig offers a compelling fusion of intimate family drama and political resistance. Critics commend its absorbing mixture of understated direction and immersive realism, noting its urgent thematic focus and visually arresting compositions. While its pacing can falter in the final act and some narrative moments feel uneven, the film’s emotional resonance and provocative content remain strong. Overall, the movie stands as an important and engaging work, even if its structural inconsistencies slightly limit its impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with restrained yet expressive direction and cinematography. Critics highlight its unflashy visual style and composed framing, while users praise the authentic integration of real footage and location shooting. Even accounting for some editorial sluggishness, the production design and visual coherence deliver a clear, purposeful aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 87

    In terms of character and emotion, the film features nuanced, understated performances that anchor its personal stakes. Reviewers note the depth of the central family dynamic and the palpable tension between generations, complemented by credible emotional arcs. Though some performances dip in the laboured final stretch, the overall chemistry and character development are consistently effective.

  • Story & Flow 78

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative remains engaging but suffers from occasional pacing irregularities. Critics mention a laboured third act and some implausible turning points, while several users appreciate the sustained dramatic tension and thematic urgency. Despite structural unevenness, the plot maintains sufficient momentum to keep viewers invested in its political and familial conflicts.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding sensory experience, the film achieves a visceral impact through its sound design and documentary-style visuals. Observers praise the intense soundtrack and effective use of real protest footage, which heightens the film’s immersive quality. While the symbolism can feel heavy-handed at times, the cohesive audio-visual approach delivers a compelling atmospheric presence.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the movie offers significant thematic value but may challenge repeat viewings due to its intensity and length. Users value the emotional insights and political nuance but note that the heavy subject matter and nearly three-hour runtime limit casual re-engagement. Consequently, the film’s lasting appeal is substantial but tempered by its demanding content and structural density.

Plot

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Seed of the Sacred Fig from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Iman is a deeply principled and honest lawyer who finds himself in a precarious situation as he navigates his new role as an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. He shares his life with his devoted wife, Najmeh, and their two daughters, Rezvan and Sana, who are unaware of the turmoil that is about to envelop their family. With the appointment comes a promise of a better salary and more space for his loved ones, but this newfound position is not what it seems. Instead of utilizing his esteemed legal skills, Iman is merely a puppet, forced to rubber-stamp grim judgments handed down by his superiors without engaging with the evidence or even considering the human lives at stake—this includes the harrowing approval of death sentences.

Full summary

The whole story of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Box Office & Budget

The Seed of the Sacred Fig grossed $6.6 million worldwide on a $3 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost. $860,139 came from the US and Canada and $5.7 million (87%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.6M

2.2× its budget

US & Canada
$860.1K
International
$5.7M
Budget
$3M
US & Canada 13% Rest of the world 87%
Awards

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Awards & Nominations

The Seed of the Sacred Fig was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 5 nominations come from 5 ceremonies.

5 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 6 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Teaser The wait is over: the revolutionary The Seed of the Sacred Fig is in cinemas now [Subtitled]
  • Featurette Mohammad Rasoulof on The Seed of the Sacred Fig
  • Featurette Mohammad Rasoulof on The Seed of the Sacred Fig - FLC Luminaries
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Seed of the Sacred Fig?

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 profession does Iman, the main character, hold?

Details

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Die Saat des Heiligen Feigenbaums” and “Daneh Anjeer Moghadas”.

Also known as
  • Die Saat des Heiligen Feigenbaums
  • Daneh Anjeer Moghadas
  • 신성한 나무의 씨앗
  • Les graines du figuier sauvage
  • Dane-ye anjir-e ma'abed
  • A szent füge magja
  • Nasiona świętej figi
  • Семя священного инжира
  • Sinseonghan namuui ssias
  • La semilla de la higuera sagrada
  • Det heliga trädets frukter
  • Kutsal İncirin Tohumu
+23 more
  • A Semente da Figueira Sagrada
  • 神圣无花果之种
  • دانه‌ی انجیر معابد
  • A Semente do Figo Sagrado
  • Sămânța smochinului sacru
  • Il seme del fico sacro
  • Nasienie świętej figi
  • Semínko posvátného fíkovníku
  • 一念菩提
  • A Semente do Fruto Sagrado
  • La llavor de la figuera sagrada
  • Pyhän temppeliviikunan siemen
  • Ο Σπόρος της Ιερής Συκιάς
  • เมล็ดพันธุ์คนดีย์
  • זרע התאנה הקדושה
  • 聖なるイチジクの種
  • Semințele smochinului sacru
  • Sjeme svete smokve
  • Seme svetega figovca
  • Püha viigipuu seeme
  • Šventosios figos sėkla
  • Frøet fra det hellige figentræ
  • Svētās vīģes sēkla

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FAQ

The Seed of the Sacred Fig FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Seed of the Sacred Fig?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig runs 2 hours 48 minutes (168 minutes).

When was The Seed of the Sacred Fig released?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig was released on November 27, 2024.

Who directed The Seed of the Sacred Fig?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig was directed by Mohammad Rasoulof.

More films by Mohammad Rasoulof

Who is in the cast of The Seed of the Sacred Fig?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig stars Missagh Zareh as Iman and Reza Akhlaghirad as Ghaderi.

How much did The Seed of the Sacred Fig make at the box office?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig grossed $6.6 million worldwide ($860,139 domestic, $5.7 million international) on a budget of $3 million.

How is The Seed of the Sacred Fig rated?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig has 84 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Was The Seed of the Sacred Fig nominated for any awards?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig received 5 nominations across 5 ceremonies.

Does The Seed of the Sacred Fig have a post-credit scene?

No. The Seed of the Sacred Fig has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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