Shayda

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2:15

Shayda

PG-13,

2023,

1h 57m,

Drama

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97%

96 Reviews

Tomatometer

- -

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

SHAYDA, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women's shelter with her six-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda's path to freedom is jeopardized.

Critics Consensus

An understated yet impactful story of female empowerment, Shayda establishes first-time feature filmmaker Noora Niasari as a remarkably assured talent.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Aug 8, 2024

4/5

Niasari, who writes and produces as well as directing, racks up the tension ... in this sure-footed debut feature.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jul 22, 2024

4/5

The assured directorial debut of Noora Niasari, Shayda captures the claustrophobic tension and sickening dread of a wife trying and failing to evade the reach of a violent, angry man.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jul 19, 2024

4/5

This debut fiction feature from the Australian-Iranian documentary director Noora Niasari proves a worthy vehicle for the incendiary talents of Zar Amir Ebrahimi.

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Alisha Mughal

The Asian Cut

Aug 2, 2025

A love letter to mothers everywhere who fight for the opportunity to thrive alongside their children.

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Codie Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

Jul 22, 2025

10/10

In Shayda, Niasari weaves a lyrical testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit,

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Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

Jul 14, 2025

3/5

The film might benefit from a shorter format while maintaining the point (personally, I could have done away with the love interest that sparked an unnecessary dread in the story), but it’s hard to argue for less screen time between Ebrahimi and Zahednia.

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Shayda: Trailer 1

2:15

Now Playing

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Synopsis

SHAYDA, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women's shelter with her six-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda's path to freedom is jeopardized.

Director: Noora Niasari
Producer: Noora Niasari, Vincent Sheehan
Screenwriter: Noora Niasari
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: The 51 Fund, HanWay Films, Dirty Films, Screen Australia
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Language|Domestic Abuse|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.7K
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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