Bleak Oscar-Nominated 'Sirât' Stuns with Visuals

Oliver Laxe's Spanish film about a father's desert search for his missing daughter is a visually stunning yet nihilistic tale.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The much-lauded Oscar contender 'Sirât' is the bleakest, most grueling film of 2025, but it undeniably looks great on the big screen. Directed by Oliver Laxe, the film is Spain's official entry in the best international feature film category at the Academy Awards. Set in Morocco but filmed in the vast desert of Spain, 'Sirât' follows a father, Luis, who is searching for his missing daughter, bringing his young son Esteban along on the punishing journey between raves in the desert.

Why it matters

While 'Sirât' is visually stunning, the film takes a relentless march toward nihilism, offering a bleak and grueling viewing experience. As an Oscar contender, it represents the bleakest and most depressing of the nominated films this year, providing a stark contrast to more uplifting cinematic fare.

The details

The film's title refers to the bridge in Islam that every person must travel to get to Paradise or hell, described as 'narrower than a strand of hair and sharper than a sword.' After the first rave is broken up by the military, a group of about half a dozen set off on the treacherous journey between raves, which metaphorically represents this bridge. The ravers seem like outcasts, and two of them are amputees, suggesting they may have served in the military. As the group travels, there are radio reports of unnamed countries on the brink of war, creating a sense that the world is falling apart.

  • The film's title is not revealed until the 32-minute mark.

The players

Oliver Laxe

The director of 'Sirât,' Spain's official entry in the best international feature film category at the Academy Awards.

Luis

The father who is searching for his missing daughter in the film.

Esteban

Luis' young son who accompanies him on the search in the desert.

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What they’re saying

“If that's your thing, you're in luck. It undeniably looks great on the big screen, so completists looking to watch every nominated film ahead of next month's Academy Awards will at least have an invigorating visual experience.”

— G. Allen Johnson (sfchronicle.com)

The takeaway

While 'Sirât' is a visually stunning film, its relentless march toward nihilism and bleak, grueling tone make it one of the most depressing Oscar-nominated movies of the year. The film's stark contrast to more uplifting cinematic fare highlights the range of perspectives represented in this year's Academy Awards race.