Apparition
Year: 2014
Runtime: 95 mins
Language: Persian
Director: Dariush Mehrjui
A tyrannical general abuses his wife and maid, leading to a discovery of their affair. The wife dismisses the maid, unaware that she is pregnant with the general’s child. Following his death, a new generation emerges, grappling with shifting perspectives and unforeseen challenges in this stylized melodrama, loosely inspired by Ibsen.
Apparition (2014) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
Get a spoiler-free look at Apparition (2014) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a meticulously crafted, almost theatrical world where societal roles feel both antiquated and eerily current, General rules his household with an unrelenting iron fist. The film’s visual language draws on the stark chiaroscuro of classic stage drama, bathing every corridor and drawing‑room in a muted palette that highlights the oppressive atmosphere. Its tone balances cold, methodical power plays with moments of intimate, almost whispered tension, echoing the weight of Ibsen‑esque family sagas while maintaining a modern, stylized edge.
At the heart of the story lie three intertwined lives: the commanding General, his dutiful yet increasingly restless wife, and the understated maid who serves both as confidante and quiet observer. Their daily interactions simmer beneath a veneer of propriety, hinting at complex undercurrents of desire, resentment, and unspoken alliances. The maid carries a secret that could reshape the fragile equilibrium, while the wife grapples with the suffocating expectations imposed upon her, each character navigating the thin line between loyalty and rebellion.
The narrative shifts after the General’s untimely departure, ushering in a new generation that must confront the lingering shadows of the past. This emerging cohort finds themselves caught between inherited authority and the evolving moral compass of a world in flux. As perspectives gradually realign, the film probes how legacy, hidden truths, and the quest for personal agency collide within a family bound by both blood and the weight of tradition.
Through its refined production design and a score that weaves melancholy with restrained intensity, the movie creates a lingering sense of unease and anticipation. Viewers are invited to watch the characters negotiate power, secrecy, and emerging freedom, all while the stylized melodrama quietly interrogates the price of control and the possibility of renewal.
Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:26
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Claustrophobic ghost hunt movies like Apparition
Characters become prey in a confined location with a violent supernatural past.Discover movies like Apparition where a ghost hunt descends into a desperate fight for survival. These films share a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, fast pacing, and high-intensity supernatural threats. If you liked the feeling of being trapped and hunted in Apparition, you'll find similar stories here.
Narrative Summary
The narrative typically begins with an investigation into a place with a notorious past. The characters quickly lose control of the situation as they are locked in and subjected to escalating, physical ghostly attacks. The story is a linear, straightforward survival thriller where the goal shifts from discovery to escape, often at a great cost.
Why These Movies?
These movies are grouped together because they share a specific, high-intensity scenario: a contained haunting with immediate physical danger. The similarity comes from the oppressive setting, the fast-paced sequence of supernatural attacks, and the overarching theme of survival against a powerful, vengeful entity.
Bittersweet horror endings like in Apparition
Survivors escape a supernatural ordeal, but their victory is shadowed by profound loss.Explore horror films with bittersweet endings similar to Apparition. These movies conclude with the survivors escaping the immediate threat, but their victory is earned through sacrifice and leaves them emotionally scarred. If you appreciated the complex, heavy feeling at the end of Apparition, this thread is for you.
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2011
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2005
Wicked Little Things
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1991
Final Exam
1981
Dracula’s Widow
1988
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1983
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1920: Horrors of the Heart
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1995
House of Dark Shadows
1970
I Bury the Living
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Dark Night of the Scarecrow 2
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Narrative Summary
The narrative builds towards a climax where the evil is defeated or contained, but this resolution requires a significant sacrifice—often the death of a key character. The final scenes focus on the survivors grappling with their trauma, implying that while they live, they are forever changed by the horrific experience. The closure is partial, emphasizing the lasting impact of violence and fear.
Why These Movies?
These films are united by their specific emotional payoff. They deliver the catharsis of survival but refuse a clean, happy ending. The grouping is based on a shared tonal balance between triumph and tragedy, creating a more resonant and emotionally heavy conclusion than standard horror fare.
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Apparition Summary
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Apparition Timeline
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