In any part of the world, horrifying homicides committed in the guise of “honor killings” are not unheard of. Consequently, the Ali Abbasi-directed film “Holy Spider” also bears witness to the horrifying incidents that have affected countless women all over the world. The Persian criminal thriller film, which stars Mehdi Bajestani and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, tells the tale of journalist Arezoo Rahimi, who travels from Tehran to the holy city of Mashhad in order to look into a string of murders committed against the city’s street prostitutes. Saeed Azimi, a serial killer who is purging the city in the name of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam, is the subject of Rahimi’s research.
Rahimi, played by Zar Amir Ebrahimi, doesn’t back down from the circumstances despite the story showing how deeply ingrained misogyny is and how it supports such a cruel crusade. She searches and investigates with a coworker with minimal assistance from officials or the local police. The film effectively illustrates a much bigger problem at hand. If the heartbreaking yet heroic story of Rahimi in “Holy Spider” appeals to you as much as it does to us, then check out this list of movies that are similar to it. Some of these films, including “Holy Spider,” are available to stream on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
Ana Lily Amirpour’s horror movie “A Girl Goes Home Alone At Night” stars Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, and Marshall Manesh. Thematically the opposite of “Holy Spider,” this film depicts a peculiar young vampire who goes on a murdering rampage by meticulously planning her victims. The first Iranian vampire film features a lone vampire who sets out to take control and eliminate the guys who harass women while dressed in a chador, like any other lady. This thematically opposite version of “Holy Spider” will be the perfect film to keep you fascinated if you couldn’t stand to see women treated like trash in other films.
A Regular Woman (2019)
German biographical film “A Normal Woman,” directed by Sherry Hormann, is based on the life of Hatun “Aynur” Surucu. The narrative centers on Almila Bagriacik and Aram Arami and tells the tale of Aynur, a young Turkish Muslim woman whose rebellious character in the face of her ultra-conservative family led to her demise. The Berlin-based drama “A Normal Woman” tells the tale of Aynur, who was fatally shot at a bus stop by her own brother for having a boyfriend. Even real-life footage of the woman whose life was ruthlessly cut short is shown in the film. The same people who were drawn to “Holy Spider” by its veracity and source material will also be drawn to this sad story of Aynur.
Green River Killer (2005)
Uli Lommel’s “Green River Killer,” another true-crime movie based on a serial killer, is based on the life of Gary Ridgway, who would approach prostitutes in bars before killing them at his house. Then, after disposing of their bodies, he would start a pattern in Green River. In the film, which stars George Kiseleff, Jaquelyn Aurora, Shannon Leade, and Naidra Dawn Thomson, serial killer Gary Ridgway’s horrible deeds are depicted. The “Green River Killer” features the frightening murders that will leave viewers debating the disturbing premise for hours, much like the killings planned in “Holy Spider.”
Identity (2003)
As a result of a thunderstorm trapping ten strangers in a remote motel, murders begin to occur one by one. The murderer begins killing people in a hotel one by one in the mystery movie starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Alfred Molina, and Clea DuVall. The film starts out in reverse chronology, setting the tone for viewers to figure out who the murderer is. James Mangold’s film, which was inspired by Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” has a cult following. If you enjoyed the building and intense tension in “Holy Spider,” you’ll adore “Identity.”
Monster (2003)
A romance quickly develops between the reticent Selby and the prostitute Aileen after they first meet. But when a man tries to beat her up, she kills him in the process. After abandoning prostitution, she sets up a new profession, but when she is unable to support herself and her new girlfriend, more individuals continue to go missing.
The film is based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a serial murderer who killed up to seven of her male clients. The film, which is the ideal follow-up to “Holy Spider,” is directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, and Lee Tergesen. It depicts the dark side of prostitution.
The Golden Glove (2019)
The film centers on serial killer Fritz ‘Fiete’ Honka, who first presents as a likable drunkard with a disturbed side that emerges when he begins killing prostitutes and leaving a trail of dismembered victims. The narrative follows Hamburg’s red light area in the late ’70s as it spreads horror. The film, which stars Jonas Dassler and is directed by Fatih Akin, seamlessly blends the themes of murder and psychological problems, making it the ideal film to watch following “Holy Spider.”
The Price of Honor (2014)
In Texas, two girls, Sarah and Amina, were killed by their father in an honor killing. Their story is told in the documentary “The Price of Honor.” Yaseer Said, the abusive parent who fled after shooting his children and was even sought out by the FBI, planned their murders all by himself. The two girls sought to escape their violent environments, and for a brief period of time, they were successful. Nevertheless, they were enticed back in, and the trapping resulted in their deaths. After seeing “Holy Spider,” you should see the documentary “The Price of Honor,” which, like “Holy Spider,” demonstrates how most crimes can start right in front of you.
When We Leave (2010)
Some women are forced to remain while others are eliminated in the name of honor. The character of Umay, a victim of her husband’s violence, is featured in the film “When We Leave.” She packs up and heads back to Berlin to be with her family when her marriage in Turkey reaches the breaking point. Chaos, however, results when her own family pressures her to return to her abusive spouse.
The 2010 German-Turkish film, starring Sibel Kekilli and Florian Lukas, is directed by Feo Aladag and tells the story of an honorable person who, despite terrible circumstances, wishes for peaceful coexistence. As a result, for those who adored “Holy Spider,” here is another instance of domestically based female enslavement.
