Tribeca Film Festival 2025 Review: “An Eye for an Eye”

By Morgan Roberts

Directors: Tanaz Eshaghian and Farzad Jafari
Runtime: 84 minutes
Year: 2025

In Tanaz Eshaghian and Farzad Jafari’s documentary film, “An Eye for an Eye,” Tahereh, an Irani woman who was convicted of murdering her husband, but negotiate with her in-laws who, under Sharia Law, have the legal right to either execute her or forgive her. But forgiveness comes at a high cost. After serving 14 years for the murder of her husband, Tahereh is conditionally released. Moving in with her son and daughter, she attempts to re-enter society. However, she does not get too comfortable.

In Iran, her in-laws, specifically her brother-in-law, gets to decide if he will have her executed or choose to forgive her, conditional if she can meet his financial demands, something that is called blood money. Her family seeks help from agencies who oppose execution and assist with fundraising money. Nevertheless, Tahereh’s case is complicated. Despite reportedly enduring years of abuse, Tahereh is not seen as a victim. Domestic abuse is rarely, if ever, documented properly or believed. And some actions she took before the killing makes her even less sympathetic to the ultra-religious judicial system and society at large.

“An Eye for an Eye” is a truly harrowing watch as you witness family members, anti-execution activists, and Tahereh herself try to negotiate for her life. The film tackles a number of moral quandaries, such as the death penalty, religious zealotry, and justice. There has always been a heightened awareness of Sharia Law, especially for Americans propagandized to fear Muslim communities and countries. There is truth to those fears, but where that occurs, how it is imbedded into a judiciary system is far outside of Western audiences’ viewpoint. “An Eye for an Eye” takes an honest look at those realities and what they truly mean for women like Tahereh and her family.

Still courtesy of Unchained Productions.

What is additionally striking about the film is not just Tahereh’s fight, but that of her son, Mohsen. Her son, who was only six years old when his father was killed, becomes more of an advocate for Tahereh than she is for herself. He is the one who seeks guidance and support. He is the one who, after a blood money price has been named, does everything in his power to raise the funds. When films explore the blight of women, so often, they are relegated only to the person or to the community of women around her. “An Eye for an Eye” takes a larger look at how this law and system impacts families. It adds layers to this already fraught situation in surprising ways.

The film does have some conventional elements to it, balancing footage with talking heads from the subjects. Moreover, there are some moments the film takes a more true crime approach, particularly when talking about the murder itself. Those shifts can take some getting used to, but become more natural as the film progresses.

“An Eye for an Eye” is a haunting examination of Iran’s approach to Sharia Law and how scripture can be twisted in ways which can further victimize survivors of domestic violence. It takes a critical look at Iran and its relationship with oppression. As anti-execution activist Ms. Jabarazdegan states in the film, “Whatever we do in Iran, it seems there is a price to pay.” And that could be the ultimate price to pay.

Grade: B+
Pair This Film With: “The Perfect Victim” (2012) dir. Elizabeth Rohrbaugh; “Persepolis” (2007) dirs. Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi; “Widow Champion” (2025) dir. Zippy Kimundu

For more on “An Eye for an Eye,” visit the film’s page for the Tribeca Film Festival here.