Martyr! (2026)

Martyr! is a 2026 film adaptation of Kaveh Akbar's acclaimed debut novel of the same name. The story centers on Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American poet struggling with addiction and grief, whose attempt to understand his family's history leads him toward questions of art, identity, mortality, and belonging.

The adaptation brings Akbar's celebrated literary themes to the screen, retaining the novel's interest in Persian-American identity, poetry, addiction, and the search for meaning. The film has attracted attention because of the book's strong critical reputation and its exploration of contemporary immigrant experience.

• The film is based on Kaveh Akbar's 2024 novel Martyr!
• Kaveh Akbar is associated with the screenplay adaptation.
• The story centers on Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American poet.
• The source novel was a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for major literary awards.
• The 2026 film remained an adaptation project with limited widely documented release information.