This psychological horror film, directed and produced by Nayla Al Khaja and co-written by Ben Williams, features British actor Jefferson Hall.
Emirati female filmmaker Nayla Al-Khaja’s debut feature-length psychological horror, Three, is set for release in GCC cinemas on February 1, 2024, following its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia last December. The film will be released in Vox Cinemas.
Filmed during the Covid-19 wave, this Arabic psychological thriller is a creation of Nayla Al Khaja, serving as both director and producer, co-written by Ben Williams and featuring British actor Jefferson Hall alongside a predominantly Emirati cast including Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, Mari Al Halyan, Saud Alzarooni, and Jordanian actor Mohannad Bin Huthail. Executive Producers include Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Daniel Zirilli, Jean-Charles Levy, Muna Easa Al Gurg, Jefferson Hall, Siddharth Thakker, and Rasik Thakker.
From acclaimed Emirati director @NaylaAlKhaja comes the horror-thriller #Three.
Watch it at #VOXCinemas on the 1st of February.#ThreeatVOX #GreatMoments @MajidAlFuttaim 🎥🍿 pic.twitter.com/lgOQ3HDWie
— VOX Cinemas (@voxcinemas) January 18, 2024
Three unfolds the gripping story of 13-year-old Ahmed, portrayed by Saud Alzarooni, whose mysterious behaviour triggers his mother, Maryam (Faten Ahmed), to seek aid from both a Western doctor and a traditional exorcist. Al Khaja adeptly navigates themes of mental health, superstition, familial helplessness, and the clash between Western medicine and cultural beliefs.
Considered a milestone in UAE Arab cinema, Three uniquely intertwines a Western character into a narrative centred on an Emirati family—a rare portrayal in cinema history.
Nayla Al-Khaja’s portfolio includes short films such as The Neighbor, Malal, Animal, and The Shadow. Additionally, she is already immersed in her next project, Baab, scheduled to commence shooting in March 2024 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, with the music composed by AR Rahman. Notably, Nayla currently boasts two titles streaming globally on Netflix, namely The Shadow and Animal.
