Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
View the film source Availability and pricing vary by region.About EllyA movie brief.
2009 / Drama / Directed by Asghar Farhadi
A tangled web of relationships and deceit unfolds.
What is About Elly about?
A group of middle-class Iranians go on a vacation to the Caspian Sea. They bring along a kindergarten teacher, Elly, to introduce her to a friend.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film examines relationships among former classmates at a law faculty in Iran.
World
The movie explores the culture and social norms of Iran's middle class.
Pressure
The group's dynamics change after a disturbing incident occurs during their trip.
Craft
Asghar Farhadi's direction and screenplay received universal acclaim.
Viewing note
The film builds tension and raises moral questions without relying on plot twists.
A thought to take with you.
The group travels to the coast hoping to make a match, but Elly's disappearance turns a social outing into an argument about what each person knew and owes the others. Their differing accounts reveal how quickly a community can prioritize reputation over clarity.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for an Iranian ensemble mystery about friendship, marriage expectations, and responsibility. It develops through conversation and uncertainty rather than a conventional investigation.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 10, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach