Shayda

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2:15

Shayda

PG-13

2023

1h 57m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

57%

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.

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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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Julian Rex M

@Julian_M Sep 1, 2025

Undeniably imperfect but thoughtfully rendered, Shayda is a sensitive exploration of a mother and daughter's coming-of-age experiences that is largely upheld by Zahra Amir Ebrahimi's dazzling performance as the title character.

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Paul D

@RT17313999 Oct 28, 2024

Tries to be gritty but ultimately its parochialism and assumptions dates the film and detaches it from many of the current political realities of the world it inhabits.

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Irwin F

@RT04426756 Mar 31, 2024

I don't think I am the target audience. Didn't find it interesting.

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Di Z

@RT21657723 Mar 3, 2024

A quiet movie with a loud mission.

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Roy J

Dec 6, 2023

The little girl's performance is the best I've seen all year. Felt like I was watching a documentary because of how real the performance and relationship were of the mother and her child. At the end, you find out the director based this on real experience. Heartbreaking but important viewing.

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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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