🎬 A Unique Blend of Psychological Horror with Deep Cultural Perspectives
Nayla Al Khaja’s feature directorial debut, ‘THREE,’ is a psychological horror-thriller that fuses an Islamic exorcism with modern day mental illness struggles. The movie trailer alone is saturated with suspense and hints at culture. It portrays troubling family rituals alongside ominous visions of dark figures, preparing the audience for an intense narrative that uncovers ample mysteries.
Cast & Characters
Faten Ahmed as Maryam
A mother struggling with her son’s mysterious medical issues, clinging to her worldview while also considering modern medical approaches.
Jefferson Hall as Dr. Mark Holly
A physician initially met with disbelief, but later finds himself facing a reality that exists beyond his scientific reason.
Noura Alabed as Noora
Maryam’s sister, whose unshakeable loyalty to tradition is at the same time a relief and a hindrance for the rest of the family.
Saud Alzarooni as Ahmed
The boy whose disturbing experiences tiptoe between distressing psychological issues and supernatural possession.
Synopsis – A Supernatural Journey of Unease and a Mother’s Struggle ‘THREE’ goes hand in hand with rich culture of the United Arab Emirates as it focuses on Maryam, a single mother who is more than successful in her professional life, but when her son Ahmed starts behaving strangely, developing persisting headaches, hallucinations, and stuttering, it shakes her world.
Mark Holly’s numerous consultations with her physician did not yield any definitive medical reasoning, further complicating Maryam’s condition. The absence of answers from modern medicine draws Maryam toward the domain of traditional Islamic healing. Noora, her sister, suggests an exorcism to free Ahmed from what is thought to be the influence of three djinns. This choice marks the beginning of a family’s nightmarish journey through a profoundly turbulent landscape that challenges the convergence of rational thought and spirituality, skepticism and belief.
Themes and Reception
Three’ has received critical acclaim for the faithful depiction of Islamic exorcism, giving viewers a unique insight into practices that have been largely overlooked in modern cinema. The film tackles faith-science dualism and makes audiences ponder about belief systems and phenomena that cannot be rationalized. Al Khaja’s direction has been praised by critics for showing restraint; instead of relying on horror tropes, he opted for an overwhelming atmosphere of dread grounded in cultural realism. The cast, especially Faten Ahmed and Jefferson Hall, has been noted for their deep, emotionally compelling performances.
Experience the Unsettling Journey
Get ready to explore a narrative that redefines perceptions and plunges into the abyss of psychological and cultural horror.
Rather than just a film, ‘THREE’ is an examination of the human mind in the face of the unfathomable.