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- The thriller “Deadly Vows” debuts Nov. 14 on Amazon Prime Video and other digital platforms.
- Based on a true story, the film follows a woman who flees Iran and enters a dangerous, obsessive relationship.
- The movie stars Shiva Negar, Peter Facinelli, Billy Zane, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo.
- Actors and filmmakers hope the movie raises awareness about domestic violence and inspires courage.
The thriller “Deadly Vows” makes its North American debut Nov. 14 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and other digital platforms, bringing a true story of love turned deadly to screens nationwide.
Distributed by Quiver Distribution, “Deadly Vows” stars Shiva Negar (“American Assassin,” “SEAL Team”) and Peter Facinelli (“Twilight,” “Nurse Jackie”), alongside Billy Zane (“Tombstone,” “Titanic”), Shane West, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (“The Expanse,” “House of Sand and Fog”). Directed by Jared Cohn and co-directed by Bella Bahar Danesh, the film follows Darya, a woman who flees the Iran-Iraq war to begin anew in Los Angeles — only to fall into a dangerous relationship that escalates into obsession and violence.
When Darya’s controlling husband orders her death, she must outwit her would-be killer in a harrowing story of survival, empowerment and resilience.
Danesh, who also produced the film with Luna Zhang and Daemon Hillin, said “Deadly Vows” uses suspense to illuminate strength.
“We believe in the power of cinema to ignite awareness, provoke change and inspire courage,” Danesh said. “It’s a gripping thriller that highlights the fight against domestic violence and the enduring strength of overcoming adversity.”
Becoming Darya
For Negar, the role was deeply personal.
“I literally lived in that character,” Negar said. “I wanted to stay with her for a few months before we even went on camera. I detached from my social life and just tried to live in Darya’s world. I wanted to make sure the story was told as authentically as possible.”
Negar said her performance was shaped by her own understanding of oppression and survival.
“She comes from Iran, and I was also born there,” she said. “I’ve had my share of domestic violence and have seen the oppression of women. All those things really resonated with me and with her survival.”
Exploring the mind of an abuser
Facinelli’s challenge was portraying Sam Lebon, a man whose love turns to control.
“When you’re playing somebody doing evil things, you can’t play evil,” he said. “You have to try to get to the root cause, why they do what they do. There was a point at which this character could have gotten help and broken the pattern, but he didn’t. That’s where the tragedy lies.”
Facinelli said his approach to Sam is not as a caricature, but as someone trapped in a cycle of pain.
“Underneath this villainous person doing atrocious acts is a very hurt, scared little boy,” he said. “If you don’t heal childhood trauma, it repeats itself.”
Trust and collaboration
The film’s emotionally intense scenes required care and communication between the leads.
“We went to very dark places,” Facinelli said. “I was very protective to make sure Shiva felt safe. Once we both felt safe, we could play in that space and really be in the moment.”
Negar agreed.
“It gets physical, and he was always checking on me,” she said. “I wanted it to be as raw as possible. Every time, he’d ask, ‘Should I hold back?’ and I’d say, ‘No, just go for it.’”
Shohreh Aghdashloo’s impact
Negar helped expand the role of Darya’s mother, played by Aghdashloo, who brought depth and warmth to the story.
“In the original script, the mother’s role was very small,” Negar said. “I suggested we expand that relationship, especially with Persian culture being so family-centered. I made the call to Shohreh, and she immediately said yes.”
Facinelli called working with Aghdashloo “an honor.”
“She has this incredible ability to be vulnerable and strong at the same time,” he said. “She brought so much passion to every scene.”
Scenes that stay with you
Both actors said certain moments lingered long after filming wrapped.
“The scene on the staircase is just so brutal,” Facinelli said. “And the kitchen scene, where the abuse happens in front of the children, it’s not an easy watch.”
Negar added, “There’s a moment where Sam brings Darya a gift to apologize, and it’s so loving, and then it turns completely. My heart rate still goes up every time I see it.”
A story of survival
Both Negar and Facinelli said the film’s core message is one of resilience.
“I want people to know that you’re not what happened to you,” Negar said. “You can rise from it. There’s a way out.”
Facinelli added, “As storytellers, we want to inspire understanding. It’s about seeing the humanity on both sides while shining a light on what happens behind closed doors.”
