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Action drama

There Is No Evil (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

There Is No Evil (2021) movie poster

There Is No Evil is a 2021 action drama directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, starring Ehsan Mirhosseini as Heshmat, Kaveh Ahangar and Darya Moghbeli. It runs 2 hours 30 minutes and earned $902,578 worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$902.6K
Echo Score
78
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There Is No Evil (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 30m (150 min)
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
Persian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is There Is No Evil About?

The premise of There Is No Evil without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This Iranian anthology presents four interconnected stories centered on men grappling with a profound moral crisis. They are compelled to participate in the execution of prisoners, forcing them to choose between following the state's orders and risking everything to uphold their personal values. Each character's decision carries significant repercussions, impacting their relationships, careers, and sense of self as they navigate a complex system.

There Is No Evil Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sharia law
  • islamic society
  • execution by hanging
  • islamic veil
  • death
  • iran
  • prison
  • integrity
  • revolution
  • odd job
  • reference to god
  • reference to ali hosseini khamenei
+38 more
  • hanged to death
  • gallows
  • hijab
  • military conscription
  • suspended drivers license
  • independent film
  • surprise ending
  • class distinction
  • religion
  • class conflict
  • bella ciao
  • capital punishment
  • spiritual redemption
  • warden
  • humiliation
  • deception
  • class consciousness
  • love affair
  • hostage taking
  • working class
  • violence
  • extortion
  • held at gunpoint
  • birthday
  • girl friend
  • bribe
  • solitary confinement
  • executioner
  • suspense
  • prisoner
  • tattoo
  • prison guard
  • prison cell
  • hanging
  • escape from prison
  • political activist
  • trophy wife
  • political prisoner
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Cast & crew

There Is No Evil Cast & Characters

Ehsan Mirhosseini leads the cast as Heshmat, with Kaveh Ahangar as Pouya and Darya Moghbeli as Tahmineh. Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Mohammad Rasoulof

More films directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, best-rated first: The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Manuscripts Don't Burn, Iron Island and A Man of Integrity.

Full filmography
Ratings

There Is No Evil Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave There Is No Evil 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

78 /100

There Is No Evil Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the anthology earns a solid rating due to its potent thematic focus and compelling performances, though its extended runtime and occasional tonal unevenness hinder full immersion. Critics highlight the film’s moral urgency and effective visual symbols, while a single user denounces it as sluggish and pretentious. The balance of praise and criticism yields a generally favorable impression without universal acclaim.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and overall craftsmanship, the film demonstrates a strong artistic vision, employing striking visual motifs such as a wet uniform and a prowling fox. Critics note occasional heavy‑handed metaphors and abrupt tonal shifts, and the 150‑minute length challenges pacing. Nonetheless, the consistent depiction of grief and rage conveys a cohesive aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When evaluating performances and emotional depth, critics consistently praise the nuanced acting and the humanity conveyed across the four segments. The anthology’s characters embody contempt, grief and resilience, offering a palpable sense of empathy. No substantial criticism of the cast emerges, reinforcing a perception of strong character work throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of narrative coherence and pacing, the film delivers a powerful examination of state violence, yet the extended duration and some abrupt tonal transitions dilute momentum. Critics commend the originality and moral urgency of each vignette, but acknowledge that the heavy‑handed metaphors occasionally impede fluid storytelling. Overall, the story balances intensity with moments of measured pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding auditory and visual presentation, the film employs precise sound design and evocative imagery, such as the lingering sound of a uniform drying on a tree and the stark contrast of a fox in a barren landscape. Critics highlight these sensory details as piercingly effective, contributing to a compelling atmosphere. There is little criticism of the sensory elements, indicating strong execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch potential is tempered by the film’s considerable length and moments of narrative heaviness, which some viewers may find taxing on subsequent viewings. While critics note the lasting emotional impact and thematic resonance that could invite repeat engagement, the sluggish pacing cited by a dissenting viewer suggests limited appeal for casual revisits.

Plot

There Is No Evil Plot Summary

What happens in There Is No Evil from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film unfolds through four distinct, yet interconnected episodes, each narrating the complex human emotions tied to moral dilemmas.

Episode I: “There Is No Evil”

Full summary

The whole story of There Is No Evil, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

There Is No Evil Box Office

There Is No Evil grossed $902,578 worldwide. $8,063 came from the US and Canada and $894,515 (99%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$902.6K

US & Canada
$8.1K
International
$894.5K
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

There Is No Evil Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 3 trailers and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer There Is No Evil - Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Featurette Full AFI Fest Conversation
  • Featurette Virtual Intro with Babak Tabarraee, Ph.D
Quiz

How Well Do You Know There Is No Evil?

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 primary occupation of the character Heshmat in Episode I?

Details

There Is No Evil Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “사탄은 없다” and “악은 없다”.

Also known as
  • 사탄은 없다
  • 악은 없다
  • Es gibt kein Böses
  • Sheytan vojud nadarad, sheytân vojūd nadârad
  • Det finnes ingen djevel
  • Doch das Böse gibt es nicht
  • La vida de los demás
  • 无邪
  • Зла не существует
  • Il male non esiste
  • Le diable n'existe pas
  • Niet zla medzi nami
+12 more
  • Není zla mezi námi
  • Não Há Mal Algum
  • Şeytan Yoktur
  • Nincs gonosz
  • Zło nie istnieje
  • 無邪
  • אין רשע בעולם
  • Δεν Υπάρχει Κακό
  • 惡與他們的距離
  • Blogio nėra
  • El mal no existeix
  • Zlo ne obstaja

Seen There Is No Evil?

FAQ

There Is No Evil FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of There Is No Evil, each answered in a sentence.

How long is There Is No Evil?

There Is No Evil runs 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes).

When was There Is No Evil released?

There Is No Evil was released on May 14, 2021.

Who directed There Is No Evil?

There Is No Evil was directed by Mohammad Rasoulof.

More films by Mohammad Rasoulof

Who is in the cast of There Is No Evil?

There Is No Evil stars Ehsan Mirhosseini as Heshmat, Kaveh Ahangar as Pouya and Darya Moghbeli as Tahmineh, among 13 credited actors.

How much did There Is No Evil make at the box office?

There Is No Evil grossed $902,578 worldwide ($8,063 domestic, $894,515 international).

How is There Is No Evil rated?

There Is No Evil has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Does There Is No Evil have a post-credit scene?

No. There Is No Evil has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is There Is No Evil in?

The original language of There Is No Evil is Persian.

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