The Cyclist (1989): cast, story & where to watch
1989 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1989, The Cyclist is a drama film directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, running about 95 minutes.
What it’s about. The wife of Nasim, an Afghan immigrant in Iran, is gravely ill. He needs money to pay for her care, but his day labor digging wells does not pay enough. A friend connects Nasim to a two-bit promoter who sells tickets to watch Nasim ride a bicycle continuously for a week. The promoter brings in sick and aged spectators, haranguing them to find hope in Nasim's strength. Aided by his son, who feeds him as he rides, Nasim grinds out the days and shivering nights. Local officials believe this may be a plot and Nasim may be a spy; they try to sabotage him as do those who bet he won't finish the week. Will desperation alone get Nasim the money? Is any triumph an illusion?
Who’s in it. The Cyclist stars Mahshid Afsharzadeh as Gypsy Woman, Firouz Kiani as Motorcyclist, Samira Makhmalbaf and Mohammadreza Maleki as Jomeh, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, The Cyclist has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Cyclist page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Cyclist tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Cyclist (1989)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Cyclist change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Cyclist worth watching?
- The Cyclist holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Cyclist?
- The Cyclist stars Mahshid Afsharzadeh, Firouz Kiani, Samira Makhmalbaf, Mohammadreza Maleki and Esmail Soltanian.
- When was The Cyclist released?
- The Cyclist was released in 1989, with a runtime of about 95 minutes.