Here is everything you need to know about the film Three (2024):
- Directed by: Nayla Al Khaja
- Written by: Nayla Al Khaja, Ben Williams, John Collee
- Genre: Psychological Horror | Drama
- Language: Arabic | English
- Runtime: 94 minutes Release
- Date: February 1, 2024
Overview
Three (2024) is an exemplary piece of psychological horror-drama from the UAE. It is directed by the nation’s first female filmmaker, Nayla Al Khaja. Famous for culturally nuanced and bold narratives, Al Khaja steps into international focus with Three— an exploration of the intersections of motherhood, mental illness, and supernatural belief systems set in a modern day Middle Eastern landscape.
Fusing family drama with horror, Three makes not only marks a first in the Arab world for horror films but also a significant landmark for discussing sensitive issues like mental health in conservative societies.
Story Summary
The narrative centers around Maryam and her young son Ahmed. Around the age 6, Ahmed starts showing these horrifying and horrifying traits. His violent behaviours, sleepless nights, unexplainable bruising— it’s like a vicious cycle. And like most things, doctors too seem to be at a loss when it comes to providing any effective solutions.
Maryam resorts to unconventional approaches when she suspects her son could be djinn-possessed, a spirit common in Islamic folklore.
Maryam’s path crosses with Dr. Mark Holly, the British physician practicing in UAE. He disregards the idea of spirits and possessions due to his scientific background. However, as things spiral out of control with Ahmed, Dr. Holly begins to question if there is more to the world beyond science, as he is thrown into dark, dangerous situations.
Together, they embark on a terrifying journey that blurs the line between mental illness and paranormal possession, between faith and rationality.
Cast
Jefferson Hall as Dr. Mark Holly
Faten Ahmed as Maryam
Saud Alzarooni as Ahmed
Noura Alabed as Noora
Themes Explored
Mental Health vs Superstition
Three bravely tackles the sensitive issue of mental health in Middle Eastern culture, where spiritual explanations often precede medical diagnoses.
Motherhood & Sacrifice
At its heart, this is a story about a mother’s unconditional love and what she’s willing to endure to save her child.
Clash of Cultures
The relationship between Western medical science and Eastern spirituality is deeply complex and nuanced, revealing whether both can coexist for the purpose of understanding human suffering.
Fear of the Unknown
Three explores childhood phobias, family traumas and the presence of the supernatural through the unique lens of horror.
Visual Style & Direction
Nayla Al Khaja employs soft color and close-up shots to heighten tension throughout the film. The horror is not overt or relies on jump scares. It’s gradual, strategic, psychological, and rooted in culture.
The supernatural elements are treated earnestly without dismissive theatrics, reflecting the nuances of the Emirati heritage.
Groundbreaking Achievements
In her pursuit to put local narratives on the global stage, Al Khaja became the first to dub an Arabic film into Mandarin using AI — making local stories truly global.
The film has also screened at the Red Sea International Film Festival and Moscow International Film Festival, shattering expectations as a new voice in Middle Eastern horror cinema.
Reception & Reviews
Critics appreciated Three for its captivating storytelling, cultural richness, and psychological depth. While some noted pacing issues typical of slow-burn horror, most agreed that Al Khaja’s attempt at layering emotional realism within the horror experience was uniquely compelling.
Those who enjoy The Babadook, Hereditary and The Orphanage will find affinity with Three as it offers intimacy alongside its unsettling nature.
Final Thoughts: Why Three Matters
Three (2024) isn’t simply a horror film. It delves into the rarely touched destruction of a culture within genre cinema. It unveils the story of motherhood woven with beliefs, fears, and the questions no one dares answer.
This film marks a bold new chapter for Arabic cinema, female directors, and global horror aficionados. It captures profound emotion alongside visual beauty while delivering silent, realistic terror.
Recommended for you if you enjoy:
Culturally rich psychological horror Family drama with supernatural undertones Tension rather than gore in slow-burn plots Stories focused on motherhood and survival Films depicting the clash between modernity and tradition.