Il terzo occhio

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.

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

Mata Batin is an Indonesian horror film that explores the supernatural with elements of suspense and mystery. The movie presents an intriguing premise about the ability to see invisible beings, supported by eerie cinematography that enhances the chilling atmosphere. Some horror scenes successfully deliver surprises with tense moments. However, the storyline at times feels cliché, relying too much on jump scares, which reduces the natural buildup of fear. The performances are decent, but the character development could have been deeper to evoke stronger emotions. Overall, it is an entertaining watch for horror fans, though not particularly groundbreaking.

The movie possesses some character traits that are similar to the Insidious movies and there are some decent scares and innovative ideas, however there's also some pretty bad effects that really dragged down the movies watching experience and were distracting in otherwise tense and scary scenes. The overall story is familiar and with some decent twists and turns, that heightened the watching experience. Overall it's a decent film if you lower your expectations and have nothing else to watch. On the other hand there are quite a few Indonesian horror flicks that are way more enjoyable and less cheap. [5,4/10]

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.