There are plenty of horror films coming out of the United States, Europe and Asia, but every now and then it is refreshing to discover something from a country or region that doesn't immediately come to mind when thinking about the horror genre. The Vile (2025), directed by Majid Al Ansari, is one such discovery. An Emirati supernatural horror film that takes its time building an unsettling atmosphere, it offers something a little different from the horror films we are used to seeing.
Is this the first horror film from the United Arab Emirates I have ever watched? I would say there is a pretty good chance that it is. Horror films from Arab countries seem relatively scarce, at least when it comes to international exposure. Having watched The Vile, however, I can certainly see the potential. The filmmaking style, settings and acting all lend themselves surprisingly well to the horror genre. And that alone makes this an interesting film to discover.
The Vile (2025) – A Supernatural Horror Story With a Different Setting
The story follows Amani, whose seemingly happy family life is turned upside down when her husband, Khalid, suddenly brings home a second wife, Zahra. Determined to protect her daughter and maintain her place within the family, Amani tries to come to terms with the situation. However, things gradually take a much darker turn as strange and seemingly supernatural events begin to take place around the household.
What I particularly liked about The Vile is its atmosphere. This is a film that takes its time establishing its characters, setting and underlying tensions. Rather than immediately throwing all kinds of horror elements at the audience, director Majid Al Ansari slowly builds towards something more sinister.
In fact, the film often feels more like a thriller than a traditional horror movie in terms of its pacing and storytelling. That doesn't mean it is trying to hide its supernatural nature, though. There is no real doubt that something otherworldly is going on here. It simply chooses to approach its horror through a more gradual and atmospheric build-up.
An Atmospheric Horror Film That Sometimes Takes Too Long
The biggest strength of The Vile is also one of its weaknesses. The story generally manages to keep things moving and there is enough happening to maintain your interest. At the same time, there are stretches where it feels as though not quite enough is happening.
Some developments take up more time than they really need, while others don't seem to add as much to the overall story as they perhaps should. There are moments when I found myself waiting for the film to move forward, rather than being completely absorbed by what was unfolding.
Fortunately, several of these developments eventually pay off quite nicely. The way certain events come together works well enough to make up for some of the slower sections. Still, not everything is equally successful. A few story developments leave something to be desired, particularly when it comes to building suspense and providing satisfying answers.
This also makes The Vile a somewhat challenging film to watch at times. Not because the story is particularly complicated or difficult to understand, but because its pacing and narrative choices don't always make for the smoothest viewing experience. There is an interesting story here, but the execution occasionally gets in its own way.
Why The Vile Is Worth Watching
Despite its shortcomings, I found The Vile to be an interesting horror film. Its atmosphere, setting and gradual approach to supernatural horror give it a distinct identity. It may not always be as engaging as it could have been, but there is enough here to make the experience worthwhile.
More importantly, it has left me wanting to see more horror and supernatural thrillers from the Arab world. There is clearly potential for filmmakers from this region to bring something different to a genre that can sometimes feel a little too familiar. The cultural setting and the way the story is presented provide an interesting alternative to the more conventional horror films we tend to get.
The Vile (2025) Review – Final Verdict
The Vile is far from a perfect horror film, but it is certainly an intriguing one. Its atmospheric approach, interesting setting and supernatural elements make for a welcome change of pace. The storytelling could have been tighter, and some developments don't quite deliver the tension or answers I was hoping for. Nevertheless, enough of it works to leave a positive impression.
I would definitely like to see more Arab horror films and supernatural thrillers in the future. If The Vile is anything to go by, there is plenty of unexplored potential in this part of the world.
Rating: 6/10
