'It Was Just an Accident' Review
- Trevor Leavell
- Feb 5
- 2 min read
Release Date: 10/15/25 [Cinemas]
Genre: Crime. Drama. Mystery. Thriller.
MPAA: Rated PG13.
Distributor: Neon.
The Verdict: A Must-See
In the shifting power dynamics of the middle east, there are citizens picking up the wreckage of an oppressive regime. Constant reminders of the traumas thrust upon them as they build towards the best future that they can imagine. One day a mechanic, Vahid, recognizes a familiar noise; a creak of a prosthetic leg belonging to his torturer from his stint in Iranian prison. What follows is a comedy-of-errors revenge thriller as Vahid kidnaps the man unsure if he is in fact the man who tortured him in prison. Along the ride Vahid brings along former friends and colleagues who could possibly help identify the man.
It Was Just an Accident comes from acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi who, despite winning the Palme D'or at Cannes in 2025, is still stirring up the Powers that B back in Iran as the director was sentenced to one year in prison, as well as receiving a travel ban. This isn't Panahi's first stint with the Iranian government as he was also banned from making films in 2010 and has been making films in the country in secret ever since including this one.
Even with such limitations, there's wonderful craftsmanship from Panahi on display with a raw reflection on the Iranian social dynamics. What starts as a comedy-of-errors turns into an intense interrogation of the complicity to the oppression of the Iranian regime. It's such a nuance and dense conversation in a film that shocks and awes at every corner with excellent character moments.
You see people in the film ready to move on with their lives until Vahid drags along his vengeance, and it snowballs into chaos. Personal barriers are brought down, and deep anger is brought out from everyone despite the air of doubt lingering above everyone's heads. Although at times very funny, it continuously builds its intensity and pulls off one of the best finales of a film from this decade. It Was Just an Accident is an absolute must see from 2025, especially in light of its nominations at this year's Academy awards.
