Amani is blindsided and heartbroken when her husband, Khalid, brings a second wife into their home. Forced to accept the circumstances and determined to fight for the sake of her daughter, Noor, Amani remains in the house and tries to assert her role as the family’s matriarch. Living with the new bride, Zahra, crushes Amani emotionally and sends her into a downward spiral.When ominous, seemingly paranormal events begin to overtake the house, Amani launches a frenzied search for answers, leaving Noor fearful for her mother’s sanity. Driven by instinct and terror, Amani becomes increasingly convinced there is something sinister in Zahra’s past—but her desperate quest for the truth threatens to push her further from reality.
The film “The Vile” is based on a story and is directed by Majid Al Ansari (“Zinzana”, “The Intruder”, “Paranormal” series), written by Majid Al Ansari & Johnnie Alward (“The Matter At Hand”, “Wendigo”, “Something Bad”), and stars internationally renowned actors Bdoor Mohammed (“La Tuqasus Ru’yak, “Ghassat Ubor”, “Majareeh” “Embers Years”), Sarah Taibah (“Night Courier”, “VHS Tape Replaced,” Fays Palette”), Iman Tarik (“The Vile”), Jassem AlKharraz (“Embers Year”, “Daw Dames”), Nora Ali (“Camera Ready and Abel”, “Cheddar News”, “Closing Bell”), Saeed AlHarsh (“The Anbush”, “Female Jinn” series), and Samira Al Wahaibi (“Rehlet Daeaa”).
The Vile is a supernatural thriller with an intense focus on family, polygamy, and emotional trauma. While not necessarily taking too many chances, The Vile manages to remain a bold, visceral film that features a fierce female cast in a world where women are often forced to take a backseat. It was refreshing to see such a strong, talented cast pulling off emotionally explosive scenes without sacrificing anything for the international audience.
Central to the film’s themes is the battle between Amani, the film’s true protagonist, and Zahra, the wolf in a wedding dress. Fueling the fire is their struggle for Noor, Amani’s daughter and Zahra’s next prize to claim. As the two grapple and rock back and forth between sanity and sensibility, the film cleverly pulls in esoteric events that could or could not be part of Amani’s emotional exhaustion. Is Zahra perhaps not the existential threat that Amani deems her to be? Is this just the true face of jealousy—a mother scorned and a wife abandoned? As the viewer, these are the thoughts running through your mind again and again as the central power dynamics shift throughout the runtime.
As stated earlier, The Vile doesn’t really push the envelope when it comes to storytelling. This is pretty much a tale as old as time. What it does do is tell the story through a fresh, cultural lens and involves a rich, evolving country stuck between modernity and older ways. I have visited the UAE several times over the last decade or more, and I have firsthand seen its massive growth and development but also how the country is quickly evolving in its thinking. The Vile does well to open that social commentary on the validity and—more importantly—the morality of polygamy in modern life. The film serves as a poignant metaphor for how betrayal and dishonesty can utterly destroy a family, particularly when multiple partners are involved. It’s a powerful but sorrowful tale.
Concerning the technical aspects, The Vile checks all the boxes. The special effects are great and seamless, the editing, score, and cinematography all shine, and the acting is superb. The film moves quickly, and the pacing keeps you glued to the action. It’s challenging to gauge the original script, but the story presented in the subtitles is phenomenal. There really is nothing that I could fault. The Vile is a near-perfect film.
The film had is premiere press screenings last week and its world premiere on Monday the 21st, so I’m not sure as to when it will be out and available for streaming or at a cinema near you, but if you have the opportunity, it is absolutely one that should not be missed. The Vile is worthy of all of your attention. Thanks for reading, and as always, stay sordid. The trailer and the new poster art are below.
