Le Troisième OEil

Oddly enough, then I actually watched "Mata Batin 2" (from 2019) before I watched this 2017 movie. Not that it really mattered much for the storyline actually, as luck would have it.

I must say that this 2017 Indonesian horror movie is somewhat better then its sequel, but not much actually. The movie starts out well enough and keeps a good pacing, but the air starts to seep out towards the ending, and it seems a little bit too chaotic and random what happens on the screen.

The acting in the movie was good, and it is always nice to see a movie where I am not familiar with the performers - well, I sort of was slightly familiar with them from the sequel.

As for the special effects, well they worked in favor of the movie, let's just say that. It is not something that will blow you away or anything, but the special effects and CGI team managed well enough.

Now, for a horror movie, then "Mata Batin" (aka "The Third Eye") wasn't really all that scary. Maybe it is for a native Indonesian, I have no idea, but for a seasoned horror veteran as myself, this was a stroll in the park.

I was very amazed with the sheer amount of thunder and lightning that seemed to take place whenever evening would fall upon the place. It was just insane. Sure, I get it that thunder and lightning helps build atmosphere and set the mood, but it was so heavily overdone in "Mata Batin" that it was just downright annoying.

The storyline is adequate. And I must say that writers Riheam Junianti, Rocky Soraya and Fajar Umbara actually managed to sidetrack me and surprise me with the ending of the movie, so that was interesting.

One thing amused me though, for some reason in "Mata Batin", then all perceived lingering spirits (or ghosts) were vengeful and angry, there wasn't a single neutral, helpful or scared spirit around - all were insane with rage and set out to do harm. Well, aside from one single girl, but hey, whatever works to build atmosphere, right?

All in all, an entertaining enough movie for what it was, however, this is hardly a movie that you'll watch more than once. Sadly, it wasn't particularly scary, but there was a good atmosphere throughout the movie.

While the 2017 "Mata Batin" movie is better than its sequel, my rating for this movie lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars.

The 3rd Eye blatantly rips off The Sixth Sense, as well as Poltergeist, The Exorcist and more than a handful of Asian horrors. Despite being wholly unoriginal, I had a reasonably fun time with this Indonesian ghost movie: it's got some effectively atmospheric scenes, a smattering of gore, and a sense of fun. Lead Jessica Mila is also very easy on the eye, which doesn't hurt.

Mila plays Alia, whose younger sister Abel (Bianca Hello) has been plagued by nightmarish visions ever since she was a child. When the sisters' parents are killed in a car accident, they return to the family home -- the place where Abel's terrifying visions began. Abel eventually admits to Alia that she is able to see the dead, and has been visiting psychic Bu Windu (Citra Prima) to help her understand her special 'gift'. Alia agrees to have her own 'third eye' opened so that she too can see the ghosts that haunt her sister...

Visions of a brutal murder, possession by evil spirits, an Indonesian exorcism complete with levitating bed (but no vomiting), and a trip to the 'other side' via astral projection are a few of the supernatural occurrences the siblings have to contend with, the girls aided by Bu Windu and Alia's boyfriend Davin (Denny Sumargo). We also get a couple of lopped-off limbs, death by garden shears, and a Shyamalan-style twist that is so derivitive one has to admire writer/director Rocky Soraya's chutzpah.

6/10. I might have been a touch more generous with my rating if it hadn't been for some dreadful visual effects.

This movie feels like it tries to be like other popular horror movies, but it's not that bad. The story seems similar to The Eye, with the two main characters seeing ghosts that are haunting them. I do think the idea of the 3rd eye is interesting , causing someone to see the supernatural around them. The creepiness factor is a mixed bag with the movie have a pretty good atmosphere and tension to it during either the hospital or the climax of the movie. Although it does sometimes use cheap jump scares in current areas. The movie barrows elements from other movies like Insidious, The Exorcist, Poltergeist, and even The Sixth Sense due to one of the twists of a supporting character. Also, the movie brings a couple of reveals that don't really impact the movie that much. The climax itself is decent, but it feels similar to the insidious climax. And the ending left as a cliffhanger.

Due to Netflix's rather poor selection of Horror films, I've found myself lately trying many of its foreign Horror titles, namely a few Indonesian films. The 3rd Eye is in a good place in the middle, as it's average and mediocre, nothing more and nothing less. It's far from being a great film that would leave a lasting impression, but it's just as far from being the terrible mess that certain reviews here have claimed it to be. Entertaining enough for a one time watch as long as you don't expect to be swept off your feet.

The plot and pace are good enough, as is the acting. Unlike most reviews here I actually liked the CGI used to show the ghosts, which are actually quite terrifying. The jump scares are numerous and often, and while the very use and utilization of them qualifies as a cheap cheat in my book - they do serve their goal of scaring you straight. The most negative feature by far, in my opinion, is the terrible attempt at creating plot twists that are not merely unoriginal - but bluntly stolen from all too familiar Hollywood films. Such an attempt was unnecessary at best and damaging to the overall viewing experience at worse. I honestly don't understand why the writers would create such a story, all of which is meant to try and make the plot twists more "twisty'. Too bad, as the film could have been more than average and even good had it not been for such amateurish writing (this is also what has made me rate it 4 instead of 5, as no plot twists or even bad original plot twists are better than stolen ones).

All in all? The film is enough. Scary enough, interesting enough and entertaining enough. I wouldn't recommend watching it as I wouldn't recommend avoiding it. I would, however, say that if you find nothing better on Netflix and want to enjoy a nice Horror film - The 3rd Eye could do the trick. As long as you initially lower your expectations and realize that you aren't about to see anything remotely innovative or exciting.

I'm building up a real appreciation for Indonesian cinema, sure the movies are hardly ground breaking but they're at least consistent which is more than can be said for the US.

It tells the story of a girl who see's spirits and is being tormented by one in her old family home which she is forced to return to after her parents pass away.

With a fantastic lead and some genuine creepy moments the 3rd Eye succeeds in doing everything it set out to do. I'd say that Indonesian horror takes influences from both the US and Asia so expect to see many of the usual tropes and the Japanese insistence of having the creepy long black haired antagonists.

I was quite shocked at several points throughout the film how creepy and how scary it was, they played it perfectly. But then it hits the half way mark and the films quality dips heavily, it begins to take itself a tad seriously and fails to deliver.

By the end I was happy at some of the incredible sequences that the movie had presented me with but saddened that it hadn't been more consistent. If the whole movie had been like the first half I'd be likely ranting and raving about how great it is.

The 3rd Eye is another solid but flawed bit of Indonesian horror, if you like one you'll likely like them all.

The Good:

I'm still in awe over Indonesian architecture

Jessica Mila

Some genuine tension

Great visuals

The Bad:

This "everyone in Indonesia is wealthy" thing is getting silly

Some ropey sfx