5/5 - Taut & Tense. Authentic & Unforgettable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whatever is worth the while in life, nothing is too late or too early. Surfing through OTT last weekend, stumbled upon Tehran on Apple TV+, released a few years ago. Tehran is not just another spy thriller-it's a nerve-wracking, deeply human tale of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. From its very first episode, the series plunges you into the shadowy world of covert operations, where every glance carries suspicion and every silence hides a secret.

The story follows Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad agent, as she infiltrates Tehran for a high-stakes mission. But what begins as a surgical operation spirals into a moral labyrinth, forcing her to confront the blurred lines between enemy and ally.

What makes Tehran brilliant is its refusal to give easy answers. Instead, it immerses viewers in the cultural, political, emotional complexities and hostility in parts of Middle-East, offering an authentic and nuanced perspective rarely seen in Western spy dramas.

The performances are top-tier—Niv Sultan delivers Tamar with a perfect balance of vulnerability and steel, while Shaun Toub (of Homeland fame) brings depth and gravitas to Faraz, the relentless Iranian intelligence officer torn between duty and compassion. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between them is electrifying, often evoking sympathy.

Visually, Tehran is sleek yet grounded. The cinematography captures the claustrophobic tension of the city, and the pacing is relentless—every episode ends with a pulse-spiking cliffhanger. The soundtrack, infused with Middle Eastern tones, amplifies the suspense without overpowering the narrative.

Unlike typical spy thrillers that glorify action, Tehran thrives on complete realism. Missions fail, choices haunt, priorities precede, and no one emerges unscathed. It humanizes the fight, portraying unmatched patriotism by committed individuals, raw human instinct, showing the cost of conflict on individuals caught in the crossfire. Both seasons make for a perfect weekend binge watch experience with moments that hold you on the edge for most time.

Verdict: Tehran is an intelligent, riveting, and morally complex thriller that stays with you long after the credits roll. After all, wars are won by the silent battles fought in the shadows. It is a tribute to the strategic brilliance of Mossad. If you love the espionage genre and want something sharper and more layered, Tehran is a must-watch.

Founder of The Verandah Club and Convenor of INTACH Coimbatore. A passionate traveller and trendspotter, he lives by the philosophy Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.