The Old Bachelor

The Old Bachelor

Year: 2024

Runtime: 192 mins

Language: Persian

Director: Oktay Baraheni

Echo Score: 82
ThrillerDrama

Set against the backdrop of a struggling Iranian economy, the film follows two middle-aged brothers living under the oppressive rule of their abusive, chauvinistic father. His previous wife left due to his volatile temper, and now he directs his anger toward his eldest son, while the younger brother harbors violent fantasies. The arrival of a young woman renting the apartment above, whom the father intends to marry, creates unexpected complications when she develops an attraction to the older son, pushing the already strained family dynamics to a breaking point.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Old Bachelor (2024)

Trace every key event in The Old Bachelor (2024) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Gholam's troubled household

Gholam Bastani lives with his two adult sons, Ali and Reza, in an old two-story house with no mother figure. He is a drug addict and womanizer who avoids planning for the future and often loses himself in pleasure. The brothers feel the house is not theirs to control while their father drifts between pleasure and neglect.

present day Old two-story house
2

Sons crave the house's sale

Ali and Reza want to profit from selling and renovating the house to secure their futures. Gholam stubbornly refuses, prioritizing his own pleasures over their plans and warns them against making plans without him. The growing tension hints at an unstable family dynamic.

early Family home interior
3

Rana enters Gholam's orbit

At Ghamkhar's junk shop, Gholam meets Rana, a young woman looking for a place to rent. He invites her to stay at his upstairs apartment at a reduced rent due to her finances. Rana moves into the house, unaware of his true motives.

soon after Ghamkhar's junk shop
4

Gholam declares marriage

Gholam becomes infatuated with Rana and announces that he plans to marry her. Ali and Reza are unaware of his predatory tone and the manipulation behind the proposal. The announcement sets the stage for a looming family crisis.

shortly after Rana moves in Gholam's house
5

Dinner reveals true intentions

During a dinner with Rana present, she discerns Gholam's true desires and grows wary of his advances. Ali and Reza observe the widening gap between father and sons. The atmosphere sours as underlying tension surfaces.

same day Dining room
6

Ali and Rana grow close

A tentative attraction develops between Ali and Rana, complicating the household dynamics. Ali tries to steer Rana away from his father but finds himself drawn to her nonetheless. The rivalry between father and son intensifies behind closed doors.

after dinner House interiors
7

Night together outside

Ali and Rana share a night together outside the house, deepening their bond. The couple becomes more entangled as Gholam watches from a distance, unaware of the full consequences. Rana's feelings for Ali complicate her situation further.

that night Outside the house
8

Gholam asserts control and abducts Rana

Gholam orders Ali to leave, but Ali refuses, asserting the house belongs to his mother and his loyalty to Rana. He then intensifies his pursuit by abducting Rana and insisting on intimacy, despite her resistance. Rana loves Ali and rejects his terms.

shortly after the night Gholam's house
9

Rana vanishes, a search begins

Rana disappears after the abduction, and Ali searches desperately for her whereabouts. Gholam denies knowing where she is, escalating the fear and mistrust within the family. The mystery amplifies the tension in the household.

following disappearance Around the house and streets
10

The drug purge and lock-in

In a bid to seize control, Ali and Reza take all of Gholam's drugs and lock the house. The brothers aim to end his predatory behavior and protect Rana's memory. The act traps Gholam inside the home with his sons and their anger.

night Inside the house
11

Confrontation erupts

Gholam confronts his sons, confessing to raping and killing Rana and blaming Reza for being illegitimate. The revelation triggers a brutal struggle that reveals the depth of his cruelty. The family is pushed toward a violent break point.

during confrontation Inside the house
12

Tragic end

In the final struggle, Gholam stabs Ali and suffocates Reza, while Ali fatally stabs Gholam. All three die in the violent confrontation, fulfilling the film's tragedy of a family destroyed by desire and lies. The house stands as a silent witness to their downfall.

final moment Inside the house

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:25

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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.

Movies about intense family breakdowns like The Old Bachelor

Stories where a family unit collapses under the weight of internal toxicity and external pressures.For viewers seeking more movies like The Old Bachelor, this section features intense dramas and thrillers centered on family conflict and systemic abuse. These films explore the devastating impact of toxic relationships within a household, often culminating in a violent or bleak climax.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a linear but tightly focused path, often centered on one household. They build tension by introducing a catalyst (like a new person or a financial crisis) into an already volatile family dynamic. Character arcs revolve around escalating anger, desperate acts, and the tragic downfall of all involved, with a sense of fatalism permeating the story.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a heavy emotional weight, a dark and oppressive tone, and a narrative focus on the systematic destruction of family bonds. They deliver an intense, emotionally taxing viewing experience defined by claustrophobic settings and a relentless build-up to a breaking point.

Movies with simmering tension and explosive characters like The Old Bachelor

Character-driven stories where repressed emotions create a constant, simmering threat of violence.If you liked the mounting dread and volatile character dynamics in The Old Bachelor, explore these films. They feature a steady pacing that builds psychological tension, centered on characters whose repressed anger and dangerous fantasies create a palpable sense of impending disaster.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a steady, deliberate build-up of psychological unease. The plot is driven by the internal states of its characters—their fantasies, traumas, and repressed rage—more than by external events. The slow accretion of small indignities and pressures creates a sense of inevitability, making the eventual violent outburst feel both shocking and tragically preordained.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on internal tension and psychological decay. They prioritize a heavy, oppressive mood and a steady pacing that allows dread to accumulate. The experience is defined by watching characters on a fatalistic collision course with disaster, making the viewer complicit in the anticipation of violence.

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The Old Bachelor Summary

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The Old Bachelor Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Old Bachelor

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Old Bachelor

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The Old Bachelor Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Old Bachelor

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