‘Sirat’ review: Oliver Laxe’s haunting desert journey through grief and fragile hope
'Sirat' can be emotionally overwhelming. It is the kind of film that demands time, even a day or two, for one to ascend from its depths fully.
'Sirat' can be emotionally overwhelming. It is the kind of film that demands time, even a day or two, for one to ascend from its depths fully.
'Sirat' can be emotionally overwhelming. It is the kind of film that demands time, even a day or two, for one to ascend from its depths fully.
We’ve all, at some point, experienced the quiet heartbreak of watching a favourite toy break right in front of our eyes. Watching 'Sirat' (2025), a Spanish–French film, evokes a similar sense of loss.
The film opens at a rave, with stunning visuals and music immediately drawing you in before taking you on an emotionally gruelling and intense ride that unfolds over nearly two hours. 'Sirat' keeps you on edge throughout, making time almost imperceptible as it moves toward its devastating yet beautiful conclusion.
Directed by Oliver Laxe and co-written with Santiago Fillol, 'Sirat' follows a father’s search for his daughter, Marina. The man and his son arrive at a rave hidden deep in the mountains of Morocco, where Marina disappeared months earlier at another rave in the sun-scorched desert. Driven by desperation and a fragile sense of hope, they follow a group of ravers in pursuit of one final party, clinging to the possibility that Marina might be there.
With a sharp, measured screenplay, the filmmakers swiftly establish the storyline and set the tone without unnecessary stretching. Mauro Herce’s cinematography plays a major role in the film’s impact. He uses wide angles to introduce the vast Moroccan landscape while also employing intimate close-ups to capture raw human emotion, drawing the audience closer to the characters’ inner worlds.
The performances by Sergi López, Bruno Núñez, Stefanos Gadda, and Joshua Liam Henderson are top-notch. One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its casting. López conveys the full emotional spectrum of a father grappling with hope and grief through subtle micro-expressions and controlled body language. Notably, apart from López, none of the performers are professional actors, a fact you’d never guess while watching, given the authenticity they bring to their roles.
'Sirat' can be emotionally overwhelming. It is the kind of film that demands time, even a day or two, for one to ascend from its depths fully. Once it settles into your mind, it lingers long after the final frame. 'Sirat' is a rollercoaster that makes you feel alive and grounded, even as it quietly breaks your heart. Ultimately, it is a journey that engages deeply with humanity and human emotion, rendered with striking honesty and restraint.