THE STONING OF SORAYA M.
A powerful, adult drama exposing radical Islam’s evils.
Should You Watch It?
This is a passionate, powerfully acted dramatization of a true story. Its direction feels authentic, and the film’s central testimony exposes the cruelty of radical Islam and the suffering of women under a male-centered society.
The cost is severe. The violence is not merely present; the stoning is shown in great, painful detail and is described by the source review as one of the most powerful movie scenes since the scourging in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. The film also contains eight obscenities, some spelled out in subtitles, along with disturbing religious and moral corruption.
The reporter’s escape offers hope that the truth can be revealed. This is worth seeing for adults with faith and values, but it is not a family movie. Practical answer: adults should see it, while children should stay away.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter his car breaks down in an Iranian village just after the Islamic revolution, French journalist Fereidoune Sahebjam becomes stranded among people who have reason to fear the truth.
Zahra, a local woman, secretly tells him about her niece Soraya. Soraya’s husband wants to dispose of her so he can marry another woman, and a conspiracy begins to take shape around her. The journalist must decide whether he can escape—and whether Soraya’s story will reach the world.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional film by the source review’s standards. The direction is authentic and makes the viewer feel like an eyewitness. The acting is convincing, and the foreign-language presentation strengthens the sense of place.
The film’s emotional force is considerable. Its climactic violence is painfully powerful, and the reviewer places it among the strongest dramatic scenes since the scourging in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. This is a serious, compelling drama whose craft serves its moral purpose.
The Worldview
The film presents radical Islam as cruel, empty, and destructive, especially in its treatment of women and its perversion of justice. It portrays a society in which gossip, lying, misogyny, conspiracy, and false religious authority can be used to destroy an innocent woman. The source review describes this as a light Christian worldview that exposes evil and points toward redemption.
The movie’s Christian contrast is direct. Jesus Christ offers love, salvation, compassion, forgiveness, freedom from sin’s judgment, and entrance into His Kingdom. The review also emphasizes the biblical truth that human worth does not depend on sex or social position: “There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
The film’s cultural critique is part of its conviction about the work: it presents the cruel, male-centered ways of radical Islam in stark contrast to the compassion and equality found in Jesus Christ. Viewers should understand that the movie’s purpose is not merely to tell a tragic story, but to reveal evil and point toward the need for salvation.
The reporter’s escape shows that truth can penetrate darkness. Scripture likewise says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Christian worldview exposing the evils of radical Islam, the cruelty of a male centered society, the emptiness of the radical Islamic faith, and the need for redemption; eight obscenities with some spelled out in the subtitles; extreme violence with the beating of a woman several times and eventually the stoning of the same woman seen in great painful detail; no sex; no nudity; smoking a hookah; and, gossip, lying, hate for women or misogyny, perversion of justice, and praying to a false god.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What should a person do when an innocent neighbor is condemned by gossip and lies?
Proverbs 31:8–9 · Micah 6:8The reporter risks himself so Soraya’s story can be told. When have you needed courage to speak truthfully or defend someone vulnerable?
Ephesians 4:25 · Proverbs 24:11–12How does the film’s picture of injustice differ from God’s character and His call to His people?
Deuteronomy 32:4 · Isaiah 1:17The review points to Jesus as the source of love, forgiveness, and salvation. What does freedom in Christ mean for people who have been judged or oppressed by others?
Galatians 3:28 · John 8:36The Final Word
This is a powerful, convincing drama with a clear moral purpose. Its violence is agonizing, so children should not watch it. But adults with faith and values may find its exposure of injustice and its call toward Christ deeply important. WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a gentler family choice, see.
