Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dazzling Iranian family tale enriches, entertains; cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Persian Version
What's the Story?
In THE PERSIAN VERSION, Leila (Layla Mohammadi) blames her failed marriage to Elena (Mia Foo) on her mother, Shireen (Niousha Noor), for refusing to accept Leila's sexuality. When Mamanjoon (Bella Warda) admits to Leila that Shireen left Iran in scandal as a young woman (Kamand Shafieisabet), Leila tries to piece together her mother's mysterious past.
Is It Any Good?
Cinema is getting better and better at welcoming international, queer, and female stories, and thank goodness -- because Maryam Keshavarz' comedic family drama is all three in one. Absolutely funny, completely devastating, and hard-cry heartwarming, The Persian Version has a modern filmmaking approach that involves animation and dance numbers, with the light tone bringing balance to the heavier, more emotional scenes. Moviegoers of all backgrounds will be the better for seeing this edgy but fun, feel-good movie. Its fresh take on what it means to be an American will leave you smiling -- and hopefully open a door for mothers and daughters to see and appreciate each other for both their similarities and their differences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Persian Version uses a combination of comedy and drama to portray the experience of being Muslim and Iranian in the United States with empathy. How do the characters counter stereotypes? Do you think Leila's story would be as authentic if the writer-director wasn't also a queer, female, first-generation Iranian American? Why is positive, accurate representation important?
What does it mean to write your own story? Parents, how have you stepped outside of expectations to be true to yourself?
What is "grit"? How does Shireen demonstrate that quality, which is also called perseverance?
For mothers and daughters, in what ways are you alike? In what ways are you different? Why do you think this particular relationship can get emotionally complicated, and what can you do to try to keep your lines of communication open?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 20, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : December 5, 2023
- Cast : Layla Mohammadi , Niousha Noor , Bella Warda
- Director : Maryam Keshavarz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Bisexual Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Bisexual Movie Writer(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some sexual references
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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