It Was Just an Accident (2025) – A Perfect 10/10 Gem That Broke My Heart and Made Me Laugh
It Was Just an Accident (2025), directed by Jafar Panahi, is one of those rare movies that grabs you with a simple story and never lets go. I laughed out loud, I got quiet and thoughtful, I guessed wrong a few times, and by the end I was just sitting there feeling everything. Dramatic, hilarious, tragicomic, heartbreaking—all in one perfect package. This is easily one of the best films of the year for me. 10/10, no question.
The Story: Revenge Turns Into Something Beautifully Human
Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), a quiet mechanic, spots a man with a prosthetic leg and freezes. That distinctive walking sound triggers memories of his time in an Iranian prison, where a sadistic officer tortured him and others—always blindfolded, so they only knew the man by that limp. Convinced it’s him, Vahid kidnaps the guy (Eghbal, played by Ebrahim Azizi) in broad daylight and starts digging a grave.
But Eghbal swears it’s a mistake—“wrong guy.” So Vahid rounds up his old prison friends to confirm the identity. What follows is pure magic: a chain of traumatized ex-prisoners—one sends him to another, who’s photographing a wedding, who brings more friends—turning a revenge mission into a bizarre, hilarious road trip. A broken-down van pushed by a bride in her wedding dress? Police stopping them for “wedding gifts” (aka bribes)? Absolute gold.
Then everything flips. Eghbal’s pregnant wife faints, his daughter calls in panic, and suddenly the group who came to kill him is rushing to the hospital, taking care of his family, even waiting for his baby boy to be born. The torturer becomes the one needing help, and his victims become his saviors. Simple premise, endless layers.
Why This Movie Is Perfect
The mix of tones is flawless: one minute you’re laughing at the absurd situations, the next you’re hit with the raw pain of what these people went through—kidney damage from beatings, lost virginity in prison, lifelong trauma. Yet none of them have lost their humanity. They could kill him… but they choose kindness, even for his family. That’s the heart of the film for me: no matter how much you’ve suffered, you can still be human.
As an Azerbaijani myself, hearing Vahid speak our language in two scenes with his mother was a special bonus—no subtitles needed for once, and it felt like home.
My One Tiny Complaint
The ending is open to interpretation. I have my own idea of what happens, and it works beautifully with the themes… but personally I prefer solid, clear endings. It’s a tiny thing, and honestly it makes the movie even more powerful. Just not my usual taste.
Ratings and Critical Reception
- IMDb: 7.6/10 (8,700 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 98 % critics (177 reviews) / 91 % audience
Won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, first Iranian film with Golden Globe noms for Best Picture – Drama, Director, and Screenplay. Critics are calling it Panahi’s masterpiece. I agree.
A Must-Watch That Will Stay With You
At 10/10, It Was Just an Accident is the kind of movie that reminds you why we watch films. Simple story, complicated emotions, zero wasted moments. If you want something that makes you laugh, think, feel, and maybe cry a little—this is it.
Jafar Panahi made this without official permission in Iran. That alone makes it even more powerful.
What did you think of It Was Just an Accident? What’s your interpretation of the ending? And did the humanity in those dark moments hit you like it hit me? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!
And suggest my next watch. After this I’m craving more Iranian cinema or anything with that perfect dramatic-comic balance.
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