Three

This is a captivating and gripping break-through Khaleeji (Arabian Gulf) film. It successfully and accurately depicts a stark reality of contemporary Gulf life, that of local populations living in 'modernity', but remaining stubbornly conservative and superstitious. This attachment to folklore, mysticism and dogmatic faith often gets in the way of truth and scientific understanding. The film does an excellent job of capturing the subtleties of khaleeji life, such as the pervasive gender bias, that includes social attitudes towards single mothers and particularly female khaleeji relationships with foreign men (Taboo!). Perhaps the spirit of rebuttal is best captured by the movie's strong leading female roles and being directed and produced by two prominent Emirati females!

Nayla Al Khaja's THREE not only claims the title of the best psychological horror film in the UAE but extends its impact across the entire Middle East. Rooted in personal experiences mirroring the depicted events, the film achieves an almost tangible realism, notably in its portrayal of exorcisms.

Nayla's adept direction is evident in the flawless execution of the production, a remarkable feat considering the majority was filmed in Thailand, with only a handful of scenes set in the UAE-an intriguing fact. The actors, particularly Saud, deliver stellar performances. While a minor critique points to some prolonged scenes in the beginning, the overall execution is commendable. Anticipation for Nayla's future projects is high, given her demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives within the realm of psychological horror.

Exciting times lie ahead for Nayla!

I had the pleasure of watching the movien at the Red sea mall cinemas during the RSFF. I went in not expecting much but to my surprise, it exceeded my expectations. The storyline is very interesting, its relatable to the middle eastern culture. I especially liked how it succeeded to make a point about mental health without offending our Arab culture and religious believes. Apart from that, I really enjoyed some of the more laid back scenes. Going in, I didnt expect to be laughing in a horror film but the film did include some humorous lines that were just right. I encourage you to watch this movie with an open mind.

Yes the story is not original and we seen it many times. But i enjoyed the movie. It was a good attempt and a pleasant surprise. I did not get bored while watching. It kept me hooked to know what will happen next, and i guess this is the most important thing to enjoy a movie.

The acting was good from all specially the kid. The mother's acting was not upto to the mark for me, she could've shown more emotions throughout the bad journey of her son, instead i felt that she was interested more to know the Dr in the middle of all this which is kind unnecessary! This part could've been better.

Ending was good, horror element could be better at the end, Director could've add a bit of more touch in horror blending with religious aspect that could have made the work even better and more gripping.

Overall its a nice work in term of directing and cinematography, the efforts shows, and i wish to see more progress in the upcoming projects in this genre.

Three makes a concerted effort to provide viewers with a unique twist on the Exorcism narrative. If you're looking for a cheap jump scare horror film, then this may not be for you.

However, if you're looking for a more intricate thriller that actively seeks to entertain, then I highly encourage you to experience Three.

By no means is it a perfect film, there are certainly shortcomings....as with many films....but for a small budget film, the performances, by largely a novice cast, are authentic and the voice of the director certainly refreshing.

It gets a 10 from me for the team's ambition, throwback to a more mature vintage horror film, and genuine belief in supporting the underdog.