Shayda
An Iranian mother and her young daughter find fragile safety in an Australian women’s shelter while confronting the lingering danger of an abusive marriage.
Overview
A poignant tale of resilience and hope unfolds as a mother and daughter seek refuge during a time of celebration.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- harrowing
- intimate
- resilient
- reflective evening
- international cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, intimate, and compassionate portrait of maternal endurance, female solidarity, and escape from domestic abuse.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Shayda seeks safety and stability for Mona after fleeing her abusive husband.
The women’s shelter provides Shayda and Mona with both physical refuge and social solidarity.
The story unfolds during the Iranian New Year, using Nowruz as a motif of renewal and hope.
The film focuses closely on Shayda’s domestic routines, shelter life, and protective relationship with Mona.
Films like Shayda, and why
The Breadwinner
shared intimate immigrant-family drama, domestic abuse themes, and resilient female protagonist
A Separation
shared Iranian cultural context, child-centered emotional storytelling, and social realism
The Magdalene Sisters
shared women’s refuge setting, feminist themes, and compassionate ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Noora Niasari
- Release Date
- 2023-09-28
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (27)
Cast
- Zar Amir Ebrahimi
- Selina Zahednia
- Leah Purcell
- Jillian Nguyen
- Osamah Sami
- Mojean Aria
- Rina Mousavi
- Lucinda Armstrong Hall
- Bev Killick
- Jack Bonser
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shayda about?
- An Iranian mother and her young daughter find fragile safety in an Australian women’s shelter while confronting the lingering danger of an abusive marriage.
- What is Shayda like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shayda as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shayda violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Shayda as mild.
- What did critics think of Shayda?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, intimate, and compassionate portrait of maternal endurance, female solidarity, and escape from domestic abuse.
- Which films are like Shayda?
- Films with a similar feel include The Breadwinner, A Separation, and The Magdalene Sisters.
- How long is Shayda?
- Shayda runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shayda?
- In United States, Shayda is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
