Friends, have you ever watched a film that left you feeling like you had just been hit by a truck? “The Stoning of Soraya M.” is one of those movies. Strangely uplifting yet deeply disturbing, this film has a kind of raw power that hits you right in the gut. Based on a true story, it’s a hard pill to swallow, tackling the brutal realities of human rights abuses and the appalling treatment of women in certain parts of the world.

Set in a small Iranian village, the story follows Soraya, a woman trapped in a toxic marriage. Her horrid husband wants to get rid of her to marry a younger girl, and to achieve his goal, he accuses her of adultery. The punishment? Stoning. It’s medieval, it’s horrific, and yet, it’s starkly contemporary. The injustices portrayed are reminiscent of the dark tales my grandmother used to tell me about the old country, stories that seemed so distant and yet so real.

The performances are gut-wrenching. Shohreh Aghdashloo as Zahra, Soraya’s aunt, practically owns the screen. You can feel her despair, her courage, and her anger. It’s almost like being punched in the face with emotions—yes, I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but trust me, it’s genuinely how it feels.

But here’s the kicker, while the film is impactful, it’s heavy. Like, you might need to take a walk around the block after watching it. The cinematography captures the arid, desolate setting perfectly, almost making you feel the dust and heat on your skin. At the same time, it’s so visceral that you might also feel the cold horror of human cruelty.

I remember the first time I heard about stoning. It was during high school in a dusty classroom in Stockholm, with my history teacher going on about ancient punishments. Little did I know such barbarism existed in modern times! This film brought that shocking realization to life for me. Real eye-opener and a sobering experience.

My only gripe? Sometimes the pacing drags a bit, but maybe it’s needed to let the grim reality sink in. Not a film for the faint-hearted, but absolutely necessary viewing.

So, grab a coffee and a friend, watch it together and be prepared for an intense discussion afterward. If you’re up for it, you can check the trailer here