The Seed of the Sacred Fig
An investigating judge struggles with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran caused by the death of a young woman. When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing harsh measures that fray family ties.
Despite its modest budget of $3.0M, The Seed of the Sacred Fig became a commercial success, earning $6.5M worldwide—a 117% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 36 wins & 71 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) exemplifies strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Mohammad Rasoulof's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Iman and his family live in modest circumstances in Tehran. His wife Najmeh manages the household while daughters Rezvan and Sana navigate their lives as young women in contemporary Iran.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when Iman receives a promotion to investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court, a prestigious but dangerous position. He's issued a service gun for protection, bringing the regime's violence directly into the family home.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 42 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Iman begins signing death sentences without reading the cases, actively choosing complicity with the regime. He demands absolute obedience from his family, transforming from provider to authoritarian enforcer within his own home., moving from reaction to action.
At 84 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Iman discovers his gun is missing. This false defeat shifts the power dynamic - his authority is challenged within his own home. He accuses his family, launching an interrogation that mirrors the regime's methods, transforming the home into a prison., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 125 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The family unit dies. Violence erupts as Iman's paranoia peaks, or the daughters' deception is fully exposed. The illusion of family harmony is shattered beyond repair. Trust, love, and safety are gone - replaced by fear and betrayal., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 134 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A decision is made about survival and truth. The family members choose their paths: whether to flee, resist, or submit. The synthesis of personal and political becomes clear - there is no private life under authoritarian rule., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Seed of the Sacred Fig's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Seed of the Sacred Fig against these established plot points, we can identify how Mohammad Rasoulof utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Seed of the Sacred Fig within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Iman and his family live in modest circumstances in Tehran. His wife Najmeh manages the household while daughters Rezvan and Sana navigate their lives as young women in contemporary Iran.
Theme
A family member or colleague mentions that "trust is the foundation of everything" - establishing the central question of whether security and order can coexist with freedom and truth.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the family dynamics, Iman's work as an investigator, the daughters' exposure to the outside world and protests, and Najmeh's role maintaining domestic order. The political tension of 2022 Iran permeates daily life.
Disruption
Iman receives a promotion to investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court, a prestigious but dangerous position. He's issued a service gun for protection, bringing the regime's violence directly into the family home.
Resistance
The family debates the implications of the new position. Iman insists on secrecy and security measures. The daughters become more exposed to protest footage and stories of brutality, while Najmeh tries to maintain family unity amid growing tension.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Iman begins signing death sentences without reading the cases, actively choosing complicity with the regime. He demands absolute obedience from his family, transforming from provider to authoritarian enforcer within his own home.
Mirror World
The daughters' relationship with their friend Sadaf deepens. Sadaf has been directly affected by the protests, embodying the thematic counter-narrative to Iman's authoritarian worldview and representing the cost of the regime's violence.
Premise
The dual reality intensifies: Iman grows more paranoid about security while the daughters secretly engage with protest movements. Najmeh is caught between worlds, witnessing her daughters' awakening and her husband's transformation into what he serves.
Midpoint
Iman discovers his gun is missing. This false defeat shifts the power dynamic - his authority is challenged within his own home. He accuses his family, launching an interrogation that mirrors the regime's methods, transforming the home into a prison.
Opposition
Iman's investigation of his own family escalates. He uses surveillance, interrogation, and psychological manipulation. The daughters resist while Najmeh is torn apart. The domestic space becomes a microcosm of the authoritarian state, with paranoia consuming all trust.
Collapse
The family unit dies. Violence erupts as Iman's paranoia peaks, or the daughters' deception is fully exposed. The illusion of family harmony is shattered beyond repair. Trust, love, and safety are gone - replaced by fear and betrayal.
Crisis
In the aftermath of the collapse, each family member confronts what they've become. The daughters face the consequences of resistance, Najmeh realizes she cannot save everyone, and Iman sits alone in the darkness of his choices, surrounded by the wreckage of his family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A decision is made about survival and truth. The family members choose their paths: whether to flee, resist, or submit. The synthesis of personal and political becomes clear - there is no private life under authoritarian rule.
Synthesis
The final confrontation and its consequences play out. Family members act on their choices, whether escape, confrontation, or capitulation. The regime's reach extends into the resolution, showing that even in the finale, there is no true escape from systemic violence.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but transformed by loss. The family that was, no longer exists. Whether through physical separation, emotional death, or literal violence, the sacred fig's seed has grown into bitter fruit - the cycle of authoritarian violence continuing into the next generation.