Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 66 Ratings

  • Starring: James Caviezel, Mozhan Marnò, Shohreh Aghdashloo
  • Summary: Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo and 'The Passion of the Christ' star Jim Caviezel star in this vital and enlightening story of one woman's persecution at the hands of religious extremists. Based on a powerful true story, the film has been hailed by audiences and critics worldwide including at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. (Roadside Attractions) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Negative: 3 out of 20
  1. The Stoning of Soraya M. goes well beyond its angry didacticism and its specific indictment of men's oppression of women to achieve the impact of a Greek tragedy through its masterful grasp of suspense and group psychology, and some superb acting.
  2. Reviewed by: Peter Brunette
    80
    It's a powerful, shocking piece, and the denunciation of a system in which an accused woman has to prove her own innocence (while in the case of a man, his guilt has to be proven by others), is strong and clear and unforgettable.
  3. As with so many message movies, this one trades ­nuance for naked outrage. The filmmakers'heartfelt intent is admirable, but right now they’re competing with a more compellingly told reality.
  4. 33
    Nowrasteh constantly overplays his hand, not realizing that some horrors speak for themselves.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. FrancisL
    10
    Such a stridently powerful film. It brings to light and issue that must be exposed! I strongly support positive change in Iran and this movie will definitely serve as a catalyst to that cause. Furthermore the acting, the atmosphere and themes themselves all make for an immersing film that you'll have to see to truly understand. I highly recommend this film for activist and film-lover alike. Expand
  2. GerryF.
    10
    Definitely worth seeing. Critics - 5/10, Real People 10/10. The critics in the main stream media would rather trash this masterpiece as it exposes Real Evil, and glorify movies like An Inconvenient Trust which exposes nothing but Liberal fear mongering over EVIL, which can only exist in the mind of a Liberal. This movie deserves and Academy Award, but that will never happen. Collapse
  3. Definitely a must watch, everything in this movie made me mesmerized and into seeing what will happen next, although the ending is spoiled from the title but it is still one of the greatest I have ever experienced. Expand
  4. This movie is filled with inaccuracies and stereotypes, it's hugely dramatized in every way and I'm getting sick of these american "based on a true story" movies. Expand

See all 35 User Reviews