There Is No Evil (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film contrasts urban environments with countryside settings to highlight different aspects of the characters' lives. Urban settings depict the mundane daily routines and the mechanical nature of the characters' work, while the countryside represents a space for personal reflections and ethical revelations. This contrast emphasizes the tension between the characters' professional obligations and their inner moral struggles.

• settings
• urban
• countryside
• contrast
• location

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues and the current global realities of authority and personal choice. While no specific year is mentioned, the story addresses ongoing ethical dilemmas that remain relevant today.

• contemporary
• modern
• time period
• setting

The central theme is the exploration of moral dilemmas, specifically the tension between duty and conscience. Each story presents characters who must choose between following state orders and risking everything to uphold their personal values. The film examines how individuals navigate ethical choices in oppressive systems.

• moral dilemmas
• ethics
• duty
• conscience
• theme

Heshmat is a family man living a seemingly ordinary life who carries a dark secret related to his moral responsibilities. He embodies the struggle between familial love and the stark realities of his work, highlighting his humanity when interacting with his loved ones while confronting the weight of his obligations.

• heshmat
• character
• family
• moral obligation

Pouya is a conflicted soldier who grapples with a grave order that challenges his moral values. His relationship with his girlfriend Tahmineh serves as a backdrop to his larger struggle against state-imposed obligations, revealing the difficulty of balancing love and duty in a repressive environment.

• pouya
• soldier
• military
• moral conflict
• girlfriend

Javad is a young man preparing for commitment who carries heavy guilt for his past actions. When he contemplates proposing to Na'na, he faces moral turmoil after being confronted with the consequences of his involvement in a political execution, which threatens his relationship and future.

• javad
• guilt
• past actions
• relationship
• proposal

Darya is a university student seeking clarity amid familial revelations and ethical concerns about life choices. Her interactions with Bahram unveil identity struggles rooted in profound family secrets, showcasing her emotional growth as she navigates painful truths about her past.

• darya
• university student
• family secrets
• identity
• growth

The film delves into the fragility of love and relationships amidst moral turmoil. As characters face personal and ethical challenges, their romantic relationships are tested. External pressures from the state's demands unravel bonds that once seemed unbreakable, leading to heart-wrenching decisions that impact their connections.

• love
• relationships
• romance
• emotional toll
• bonds

Identity and loss are significant themes as characters grapple with past choices that define their present. Revelations of familial ties and past sacrifices illustrate how loss haunts personal identity. The film underscores the connection between one's actions and their reverberating impact on future generations.

• identity
• loss
• past choices
• family
• consequences

The film examines the conflict between state authority and individual moral agency. It presents characters who must choose between complying with orders and following their conscience, exploring how institutional violence affects personal integrity and the devastating consequences of complicity in state-mandated actions.

• authority
• personal choice
• state
• conscience
• oppression

The film is an anthology consisting of four interconnected stories, each centered on a different man grappling with moral crises related to executing prisoners. This episodic structure explores the same core ethical dilemma from different angles, building tension before each story reaches its critical moral climax.

• anthology
• structure
• four stories
• interconnected

The countryside represents a space for personal revelations and ethical reflections, contrasting with the mechanical urban environment. It is where characters experience moments of clarity about their moral situations, offering a setting for introspection away from the pressures of their official duties.

• countryside
• symbolism
• reflection
• introspection