It Was Just an Accident

Directed by Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident follows several characters as they attempt to determine if the man they’re holding hostage is the same man that tortured them years earlier. It’s a premise that seems to be laying the groundwork for a thriller-forward narrative, with this vibe certainly heightened by a relatively tense opening stretch, and yet Panahi, for the most part, offers up a low-key endeavor that’s saddled with an episodic (and somewhat hit-and-miss) midsection – with Panahi’s solid visuals and a series of strong performances generally sustaining the viewer’s interest even through the picture’s less-than-enthralling digressions. And though the whole thing never quite becomes as impactful as one might’ve anticipated (and hoped), It Was Just an Accident, which admittedly builds towards a fairly riveting third act, ultimately comes off as a decent-enough drama that could probably have used a little streamlining and tightening.

**1/2 out of ****