25 Best Horror Films of the Past Decade

Set in 1980s Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, writer-director Babak Anvari’s debut feature surprised critics at Sundance 2016 with its blend of scares and political allegory. When her husband is called off to war, Shideh (Narges Rashidi), a former medical student now living under Sharia law, is left at home with her young daughter, Dorsa. After a missile hits their apartment building, Shideh suspects a Djinn, a demon that travels on the wind, wants to possess Dorsa. In a brisk 84 minutes, Anvari intensifies the scares throughout, leading to a terrifying final act.

“This is thoughtful, provocative and increasingly scary fare, which succeeds equally as feminist fable, fractured family drama and full-on fright-fest.” —Mark Kermode, Observer