What Is There Is No Evil About?
The premise of There Is No Evil in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In an austere Iranian landscape where ordinary routines sit beside the weight of state duty, a quartet of men confront the quiet terror of moral compromise. The film weaves four interlocking vignettes, each a study in how everyday life is haunted by the invisible line between obedience and conscience. The tone is restrained yet palpable, letting the stark scenery and hushed dialogue amplify the inner turmoil that each protagonist carries beneath a veneer of normalcy.
Heshmat is a family‑man whose days begin with simple acts of kindness—a rescued cat, a shared meal—before the looming responsibilities of his work intrude, reminding him that his role extends far beyond the domestic sphere. Pouya is a young soldier whose aspirations and love are tangled with a compulsory order that forces him to weigh his future against a stark command. Javad stands on the cusp of a personal milestone, his hopeful plans shadowed by a past that resurfaces in the presence of his loved ones, testing the fragile foundation of his relationships. Finally, Darya arrives at a rural home seeking connection, only to discover that the bonds of blood and sacrifice have been forged under the same relentless pressures that shape the lives of the men around her.
Each episode is bound by a common thread: the relentless demand to participate in actions that clash with personal values, set against a society where dissent carries profound cost. The cinematography captures the contrast between intimate domestic moments and the impersonal machinery of authority, creating a mood that is both contemplative and unsettling. As the characters navigate their intertwining paths, the film asks how far one can go while preserving self, love, and integrity, leaving the audience to linger on the quiet echoes of choice that reverberate long after the scenes fade.
What Happens in There Is No Evil?
The complete story of There Is No Evil, from the first scene to the last, in 492 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
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”
In this episode, we follow a man named Heshmat as he navigates his seemingly mundane daily routine. He starts by assisting his neighbors in rescuing a cat, later picking up his wife and daughter from their respective workplaces and school. They visit his mother-in-law, where he engages warmly with his family. The night before attending a wedding, he aids his wife in putting highlights in her hair. However, the next day, the tones of normalcy clash with the weight of his responsibilities as he drives to work with an evident sense of dread. At his job, he faces a grim task—the execution of several condemned prisoners.
Episode II: “She Said: ‘You Can Do It’”
In the second episode, Pouya, a soldier, is confronted with a harrowing order: to execute a man. Struggling with the moral implications, he seeks assistance through his brother’s connections in hopes of avoiding this fate. As he converses with his bunkmates, he expresses his internal conflict, particularly about how mandatory conscription restricts his ability to leave the country with his girlfriend Tahmineh. While discussing the grim situation, another soldier decides to take Pouya’s place for a hefty sum, but moral debates ensue as Pouya wrestles with his fate. In a desperate escape attempt, he overpowers several soldiers, discards the execution rifle, and reunites with Tahmineh for a fleeting moment of joy.
Episode III: “Birthday”
The narrative shifts focus to Javad, a young man on the verge of proposing to his girlfriend Na’na during her birthday celebration. However, the air is thick with tension as the family mourns the death of a political activist, Keyvan, whose ideals starkly oppose Javad’s own. Struggling with feelings of guilt, Javad comes to a shocking realization—he was complicit in Keyvan’s execution during his service, an act that sends his relationship with Na’na into a tailspin. As familial reflections and celebrations intertwine, the weight of his choices drives a wedge between him and Na’na, culminating in her heartbreak and swift exit from their relationship.
Episode IV: “Kiss Me”
Finally, the last episode centers on university student Darya who visits her relatives, Bahram and Zaman, at their countryside home. Unbeknownst to her, Bahram is gravely ill, which deepens their conversations about life choices and ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning the killing of wildlife to protect livestock. A confrontation ensues when Zaman finally reveals that Bahram is, in fact, Darya’s biological father, a truth laden with torment for both. As he recounts the sacrifices made to ensure her safety, including separating from his family after refusing to execute someone, Bahram’s health deteriorates, leading to a critical moment that intertwines her departure with an emotional farewell. Darya’s fleeting glimpse of a fox in the brush serves as a poignant metaphor for the choices faced by her family amid the tragedies of their past.
There Is No Evil Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Heshmat's Daily Routine” to “Emotional Farewell”. 2 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Heshmat's Daily Routine
Heshmat begins his day by helping his neighbors save a cat stuck in a tree. This seemingly simple act reflects the kindness and normalcy in his life before the heavy burdens he faces become apparent.
- 2
Family Interactions
Heshmat picks up his wife and daughter from their respective workplaces and school, showcasing the warmth and love they share as a family. They visit his mother-in-law, where the familial bond is strengthened through their interactions.
- 3
Preparing for the Wedding
The night before a wedding, Heshmat assists his wife in putting highlights in her hair. This intimate moment deepens their connection, contrasting sharply with the dark reality that awaits him the following day.
- 4
Dreadful Responsibilities
The following day, Heshmat drives to work, grappling with a deep sense of dread. He is confronted with the grim reality of his job: executing several condemned prisoners, which weighs heavily on him.
Where:Prison
- 5
Pouya's Moral Dilemma
In the second episode, soldier Pouya receives an order to execute a man, prompting a profound internal struggle. He reaches out to his brother for help, feeling trapped by the mandatory conscription that inhibits his freedom.
- 6
Discussion Among Soldiers
As Pouya confides in his bunkmates, they discuss the moral implications of carrying out the execution. The pressure mounts as another soldier offers to take Pouya's place for a price, intensifying the ethical considerations at play.
- 7
Desperate Escape
In a bold move, Pouya decides to escape from the situation, overpowering several soldiers. He discards the execution rifle and momentarily reunites with his girlfriend Tahmineh, savoring a fleeting moment of happiness amid the turmoil.
- 8
Javad's Proposal Plan
The focus shifts to Javad, who plans to propose to his girlfriend Na'na during her birthday celebration. However, the atmosphere is thick with tension due to the recent death of a political activist, Keyvan.
When:Na'na's Birthday
- 9
Guilt and Realization
As the family mourns, Javad comes to a grave realization. He discovers that he was complicit in Keyvan's execution during his service, which weighs heavily on his conscience and disrupts his relationship with Na'na.
- 10
Heartbreak and Departure
The culmination of Javad's guilt leads to a heartbreaking argument with Na'na, resulting in her swift exit from their relationship. The pain of his actions creates a chasm between them that seems insurmountable.
Show the other 4 events of There Is No Evil Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Darya's Family Visit
In the final episode, university student Darya visits her relatives, Bahram and Zaman, at their countryside home. During this visit, the conversation touches upon life choices and ethical dilemmas, particularly involving wildlife.
Where:Countryside Home
- 12
The Reveal of Truth
Darya learns that Bahram is her biological father, a revelation that stirs complex emotions within her. As he recounts the sacrifices he made, including separating from his family, their conversation takes a heavy turn.
- 13
Bahram's Declining Health
As Bahram's health deteriorates, Darya faces the reality of loss and the painful history behind her existence. Their discussions reflect deep emotional struggles, exposing layers of familial tension and morality.
- 14
Emotional Farewell
Darya's departure is filled with poignant emotions as she bids farewell to Bahram. This moment is symbolized by a fleeting glimpse of a fox in the brush, mirroring the difficult choices that haunt her family.
Who Are the Main Characters in There Is No Evil?
4 characters, among them Heshmat, Pouya and Javad: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- H
Heshmat
Played by Ehsan Mirhosseini
Heshmat is a family man leading a seemingly ordinary life, yet he is burdened by a dark secret tied to his moral responsibilities. He embodies the struggle between familial love and the stark realities of his work, which deeply contrast. This internal conflict highlights his humanity when he interacts with his loved ones.
- 👨👧 Family
- 😔 Conflict
- P
Pouya
Played by Kaveh Ahangar
Pouya is a conflicted soldier grappling with a grave order that challenges his morals. His relationship with his girlfriend, Tahmineh, serves as a backdrop to his larger struggle against state-imposed obligations. Pouya's journey reveals the difficulty of navigating love and duty in a repressive environment.
- 👮♂️ Duty
- 💔 Sacrifice
-
Javad
Played by Mohammad Valizadegan
Javad is a young man on the verge of commitment, yet he carries the heavy weight of guilt for his past actions. As he contemplates proposing to Na'na, he is thrust into moral turmoil when confronted with the consequences of his involvement in a political execution, jeopardizing his relationship.
- 💍 Proposal
- 😢 Guilt
-
Darya
Played by Baran Rasoulof
Darya is a university student seeking clarity amid familial revelations and ethical concerns about life choices. Her interaction with Bahram unveils her identity struggles, rooted in profound familial secrets. The narrative showcases her emotional growth as she navigates the painful truth about her past.
- 🎓 Student
- 🧬 Identity
Where and When Is There Is No Evil Set?
There Is No Evil is set in Countryside home and Urban settings. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events of the film unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues and personal dilemmas faced by individuals in today’s world. The characters grapple with moral responsibilities that resonate with current global realities, particularly concerning authority and personal choice.
Where
Countryside home, Urban settings
The film traverses various locations, primarily contrasting urban life with the serenity and complexities of a countryside home. The urban settings highlight the mundane daily routine of the characters, while the countryside represents a space for personal revelations and reflections on ethical dilemmas.
- 🏡 Countryside
- 🌇 Urban
What Are the Themes of There Is No Evil?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Moral Dilemmas, Love and Relationships and Identity and Loss.
-
01
Moral Dilemmas
A central theme throughout the film is the exploration of moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Each episode fixates on the tension between duty and conscience, compelling individuals to confront the consequences of their actions. This ongoing internal conflict unveils the nuance of ethical choices in bleak situations.
-
02
Love and Relationships
The film delves into the fragility of love and relationships amidst turmoil. As characters face personal and moral challenges, their romantic relationships are tested, revealing how external pressures can unravel bonds that once seemed unbreakable. The emotional toll impacts connections significantly, leading to heart-wrenching decisions.
-
03
Identity and Loss
Identity and loss are significant themes as characters grapple with their past choices that define their present. The revelations of familial ties and past sacrifices illustrate the haunting effects of loss on personal identity. This theme underscores the connection between one's actions and their reverberating impact on future generations.
What Kind of Film Is There Is No Evil?
Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Mixed
A tense and morally gut-wrenching anthology that follows men forced to participate in state executions, creating a consistently oppressive atmosphere of claustrophobic dread and desperate choices.
- anxious
- oppressive
- morally conflicted
- somber
- gut-wrenching
- claustrophobic
- moral dilemma
- state oppression
- capital punishment
- conscientious objection
Content notes: execution, capital punishment, psychological trauma, state violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember There Is No Evil? Test yourself on the story.
