It Was Just an Accident

UK Release Date: 05 December 2025
Director: Jafar Panahi

Cast: Afsaneh Najm Abadi, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr, Vahid Mobasseri, Delmaz Najafi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, George Hashem Zadeh

Runtime: 103 mins

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

The Cambridge Dictionary defines tension as a feeling of fear or anger between two groups of people who do not trust each other. In film, tension is often the emotional strain that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. When utilised correctly, tension regularly elicits a sense of frustration and stress. Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2025, It Was Just an Accident certainly accomplishes its goal of crafting a stress ridden environment. Although, the most genius aspect is that Jafar Panahi manages to pull this off by avoiding all common filmmaking conventions. 

 

Ari Aster's Hereditary, considered by many as the golden standard for modern horror filmmaking. Much of the film's fear comes from the unknown. A lot of focus is placed on paying attention to what is going on in the foreground - ultimately masking the horror in background. Whether that be completely off screen, left to the imagination, or brilliantly hidden in a corner, covered by shadows. Resulting in a demented and frightening viewing experience. However, It Was Just an Accident is gorgeously lit. Bright desert landscapes and bustling city streets in plain view. Even in the dark of the night, car headlights and striking neon red brake lights illuminate every scene - nothing is concealed. 

Films such as The Others, The Sixth Sense and Shutter Island draw tension from their central character missing a crucial piece of information. Therefore, the audience is drip fed information before each film ties it all together with an unexpected but brilliant reveal. Although, both the viewer and the characters are almost immediately aware of the crux of It Was Just an Accident. Conscious of what is unfolding before them but continually apprehensive as to how it will conclude. 

It is well documented the struggles Steven Spielberg had whilst making Jaws. The production's mechanical shark consistently malfunctioned when dropped in the Atlantic Ocean. It forced Spielberg into a different approach. Relying heavily on point of view shots, yellow barrels and most notably John Williams' sensational score to create tension. Two simplistic notes, yet, one of the most evocative themes put to film. An instantly recognisable audible stand in for terror and panic. In spite of this ability to intimidate through music, there's an evident lack of score in It Was Just an Accident. Replacing musical cues with emphatic sound design. Harrowing sounds that linger, that don't go away even if they perhaps should. 

Yet, somehow, It Was Just an Accident remains unbearably tense despite doing so in an unconventional manner. A masterclass in restraint when dealing with the technical aspects of filmmaking. By the time, the audience reaches the film's final scene the palpable unease is earned. The patience on display essentially leads to a trauma and a terror that sticks long after the film has concluded.