Under the Shadow 2016
Directed by
Babak Anvari
Made by
Vertical Entertainment
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Under the Shadow (2016). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the war-torn, post-revolutionary Tehran of the 1980s, Shideh, a former medical student, is prevented from continuing her education due to her association with leftist student groups. Although she discards her medical textbooks, she clings to a book on medical physiology that was gifted to her by her late mother. As conflict escalates, Shideh chooses to remain in the city with her daughter, Dorsa, despite her husband Iraj’s pleas to take them to the safety of his parents’ home. Iraj, a doctor summoned for military duty, assures Dorsa that her beloved doll, Kimia, will guard her.
Their lives become intertwined with that of a boy from the Ebrahimi family. This boy, who lost his parents in an attack, moves in with his cousins. During a shelling, he shares a secret with Dorsa, gifting her a charm intended to fend off evil spirits. Intrigued yet skeptical, Shideh dismisses the charm after Dorsa mentions the boy’s tale of the Djinn. Later, she learns from Mrs. Ebrahimi that the boy has been mute since the tragedy.
As the war rages on, Dorsa falls ill and both mother and daughter are haunted by terrifying nightmares. The intensity of Shideh’s PTSD from living in this chaotic environment deepens, though she refuses to acknowledge it. A missile strike leads to the disappearance of Kimia amid the chaos, throwing Dorsa into a state of distress as she claims to sense a strange entity in their home, compelling her to seek Kimia on the upper floor.
With the neighboring families departing in search of refuge, Mrs. Ebrahimi warns Shideh about the dangerous nature of djinns, who are known to possess the unsuspecting and take cherished possessions. As the building grows emptier, Shideh finds her own belongings mysteriously vanishing, which amplifies her anxiety. Nightmares escalate into terrifying visions of a ghostly chador. Eventually, Dorsa confesses she sees these same spirits, which fuels Shideh’s determination to leave. However, Dorsa refuses to abandon their home until Kimia is recovered.
Shideh receives a distressing call that appears to be from Iraj, only for the voice to verbally attack her for being a negligent mother. In her search for Kimia, Shideh succumbs to despair upon discovering the doll in a mutilated state; she painstakingly repairs it with tape. Just as they prepare to escape, an air raid alarm causes panic.
Rushing to the shelter, Shideh hears Dorsa scream, inciting a wild fear that she may have left behind a ghostly version of her. She frantically returns to their dwelling only to be confronted by a terrifying apparition beneath their bed. Ultimately, she finds the real Dorsa and they manage to flee from a sinister presence. Driving towards Iraj’s parents, Shideh faces a grim realization: Kimia’s head has been abandoned, and her medical textbook remains in the djinn’s grasp, hinting that their nightmare may not be over just yet.
Timeline
Track the key events of Under the Shadow (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Shideh's Stalled Education
In post-revolutionary Tehran, Shideh, a former medical student, is prevented from continuing her education due to her connection to leftist student groups. Despite her passion for medicine, she discards her textbooks but keeps a significant physiology book that reminds her of her late mother.
Tension Between Shideh and Iraj
As the situation in Tehran worsens, Shideh chooses to remain in the city with her young daughter, Dorsa, against her husband Iraj's wishes. Iraj, who is called for military duty as a doctor, implores Shideh to seek safety with his parents, highlighting the intensity of their escalating conflict.
A Boy and a Charm
During a shelling incident, a boy from the Ebrahimi family, who lost his parents, shares a secret with Dorsa. He gifts her a charm that is said to protect against evil spirits, a gesture that intrigues Dorsa but leaves Shideh skeptical about the supernatural story attached to it.
Dorsa's Illness
As the war continues, Dorsa falls ill, and her condition escalates Shideh's already present PTSD. Both mother and daughter begin to experience horrifying nightmares that reflect the chaos and trauma surrounding them.
The Loss of Kimia
In the midst of a missile attack, Dorsa's beloved doll, Kimia, goes missing. This event causes Dorsa significant distress, leading her to believe that an ominous presence is haunting their home in search of the doll.
Warning about Djinns
Mrs. Ebrahimi warns Shideh of the dangers posed by djinns, supernatural beings known to possess and take cherished items. With neighboring families leaving for safety, Shideh starts to notice her own belongings disappearing, further straining her mental state.
Escalating Nightmares
Shideh's nightmares intensify into horrifying visions of a ghostly figure wearing a chador. The burden of her increasingly chaotic life makes it difficult for her to address her mental health struggles, even as Dorsa begins to see the same spirits.
The Distressing Call
Shideh receives a call that seems to be from her husband Iraj, but the voice transforms into a cruel reminder of her supposed failures as a mother. This moment deepens her feelings of isolation and despair as she grapples with her role within the war-torn landscape.
The Mutilated Kimia
In her frantic search for Kimia, Shideh finds the doll in a state of decay, driving her to tears. Determined to bring some semblance of comfort to Dorsa, she painstakingly repairs Kimia with tape, symbolizing her desperation to hold on to their normal life.
Panic Amidst Air Raid
As they prepare to escape, an air raid alarm causes chaos and panic. In the scramble to the shelter, Shideh is filled with dread, fearing she might leave behind a ghostly version of Dorsa, which leads her back to the dark confines of their home.
Confrontation with the Apparition
In her frantic search for Dorsa, Shideh confronts a terrifying apparition lurking beneath their bed. After overcoming this fear, she finally locates the real Dorsa, but the sinister atmosphere continues to haunt them as they try to escape.
Fleeing the Ruins
Shideh and Dorsa manage to flee their haunting home, driving towards the safety of Iraj's parents' location. However, the road ahead is grim as Shideh wrestles with the terrifying thought that Kimia's severed head and her medical textbook are both left behind.
The Aftermath of War
As they make their way to safety, Shideh grapples with the emotional toll of their experiences. The remnants of their life—the lost doll and the grip of the djinn—linger, leaving her to question whether they truly escaped or if their nightmares are just beginning.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Under the Shadow (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Shideh
Shideh is a resilient mother and a former medical student whose past ambitions are overshadowed by the war's impact. She grapples with feelings of guilt and helplessness as she tries to protect her daughter. Her struggle against external chaos and her internal demons marks her as a complex, layered character.
Dorsa
Dorsa is a young girl navigating the horrors of war through her innocent yet imaginative perspective. Her attachment to her doll, Kimia, symbolizes childhood innocence amidst chaos. As she experiences distressing visions, she represents the deep emotional scars that war inflicts on the young.
Iraj
Iraj is Shideh's husband and a doctor, embodying the struggle between familial duty and the demands of war. His desire to ensure his family's safety contrasts sharply with Shideh's determination to remain. His absence during the conflict adds to the tension and emotional strain on Shideh and Dorsa.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Under the Shadow (2016), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1980s
The 1980s were marked by the Iran-Iraq War, a period of significant chaos and upheaval. Amidst this turmoil, daily life is disrupted, and safety becomes a rare commodity for families. The social fabric is frayed, leaving citizens to grapple with loss and psychological trauma.
Location
Tehran
Tehran, the capital of Iran, serves as the backdrop for this haunting tale. During the 1980s, it is marred by the aftermath of the revolution, with ongoing conflict and violence shaping the lives of its inhabitants. The city symbolizes both a place of struggle and resilience for its citizens.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Under the Shadow (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
👻
Supernatural
The theme of the supernatural is prominent as the characters confront djinn, which represent their inner fears and traumas. The haunting visions and the loss of tangible items reflect the psychological impact of war. This theme underscores the fragility of safety and the unknown threats lurking in familiar places.
💔
Loss
Loss encompasses both physical possessions and emotional ties in 'Under the Shadow.' As Shideh and Dorsa navigate their fears, they also confront the void left by absent loved ones. The deteriorating condition of Kimia symbolizes the fragility of childhood innocence amidst tragedy.
🧠
Mental Health
Mental health emerges as a critical theme, particularly as Shideh battles her PTSD from the constant fear of war. The supernatural elements serve as manifestations of her psychological struggles, illustrating how trauma can distort reality and perception.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.