Holy Spider

Tehran-based journalist Arezoo Rahimi embarks on a journey to the holy city of Mashhad. Her mission is fueled by the urgency to uncover the truth behind a series of horrific murders targeting street prostitutes.

The media dubs the unknown assailant the 'Spider Killer', a moniker that reflects his chilling modus operandi. He cruelly preys on vulnerable women, luring them in with his motorcycle and disposing of their bodies in isolated areas.

Arezoo teams up with Sharifi, the editor of a local newspaper, as they work together to investigate the murders. Their collaboration becomes crucial, especially after discovering that Sharifi has been contacted by the killer himself.

Saeed Azimi, the Spider Killer, is revealed to be a seemingly ordinary man with a wife and three children, as well as a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War. This deceptive normalcy masks his violent tendencies and disturbing justifications for his actions.

Confident in their research, Arezoo and Sharifi orchestrate a plan to trap Saeed by enticing him with a fake solicitation. Arezoo poses as a sex worker and climbs onto Saeed's motorcycle, while Sharifi follows closely behind in a vehicle.

During the encounter, the situation escalates when Saeed discovers Arezoo's true intentions. In a frantic struggle for her life, Arezoo manages to escape from his grasp, narrowly avoiding becoming his next victim.

Following Arezoo's harrowing experience, Saeed is apprehended by the authorities. However, the event marks only the beginning of a complex journey through the justice system as public support surprisingly begins to swell for him.

As his trial approaches, Saeed claims insanity, asserting that his killings were acts of devotion to Imam Reza. He justifies his horrific actions, suggesting a disturbing rationalization for the violence he inflicted.

In a chilling interview in prison, Arezoo confronts Saeed Azimi. It is during this emotional encounter that he chillingly confesses to the murder of 16 women, revealing his disturbing mindset and intentions towards Arezoo herself.

The verdict is delivered, sentencing Saeed to 100 lashes and execution. This harsh punishment reflects the gravity of his crimes and the societal outrage against his actions, as he maintains a defiant stance regarding his beliefs.

As Saeed awaits execution, he receives visits from his father-in-law and lawyer, who promise him that an escape is imminent. However, when the time arrives for his execution, the anticipated rescue fails to materialize, leading to a moment of raw panic.

In a tense and tragic conclusion, Saeed is executed by hanging, facing the consequences of his actions. This grim outcome serves as a chilling reminder of the violence that he perpetuated and its devastating impacts.

After the traumatic events, Arezoo boards a bus back to Tehran. During her journey, she reflects on the horrors she has witnessed, grappling with the emotional weight of the brutality that unfolded in Mashhad.

While traveling home, Arezoo watches video evidence from the case, particularly a disturbing interview with Saeed's teenage son. The chilling reenactment by Ali, mimicking his father's violent acts, leaves Arezoo haunted by the cycle of violence that persists.