Dabbe: Curse of the Jinn

I have always had a soft spot for horror movies but Turkish horror is unique and different from conventional Hollywood horror. There is something about the way they mix supernatural beliefs, religion, family history and ordinary people that makes the movie feel relatable.

A while back, I streamed Dabbe: Curse of the Jinn (2013) on Netflix (before it was removed) and it was quite an experience. The poster alone was enough to tell me this movie was going to be disturbing. This film is part of an anthology called D@bbe, the fourth in the series, and it is by far the scariest and most interesting among all the movies. Each film has its own story to tell with its central horror rooted in supernatural beliefs within Islam.

Written and directed by Hasan Karacadağ, Dabbe: Curse of the Jinn also known as Dabbe: The Possession, is one of those movies that remind me why I keep watching foreign horror. It stars Cansu Kurgun as Kübra, Irmak Örnek as Every Karaduman, Ali Murat Özgen as Faruk Akat and other supporting actors.

The movie follows Kübra as she is preparing for her wedding. On the henna night, she appears to be under the control of a dark supernatural force and attacks her family. Ebru, a psychiatrist and Kübra’s childhood friend, becomes involved because she wants to study the case from a medical perspective. She brings in Faruk, an exorcist and the two approach Kübra’s condition from completely different sides. Ebru wants evidence and explanations while Faruk believes there are things beyond what science can explain.

Soon Kübra’s condition becomes something much bigger and darker. Ebru and Faruk travel to Kübra’s village where they discover that the strange events surrounding her are connected to the village's disturbing past. There are old secrets, unexplained markings, buried bodies and a curse that have been waiting for the right moment to manifest. Can these two people save and heal Kübra from their different perspectives and beliefs?

My Review And Rating

I have watched the first three films in the Dabbe series but this fourth one is the most disturbing and chilling movie I have ever watched. You might think this is a pretty standard horror movie similar to the likes of The Exorcist films but there is something about this one that makes it stand apart from the rest. So if you are yet to see a horror movie that will scare you to the core, then this is your chance. Also, if you enjoyed The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity films, then I'd say you are ready to watch Dabbe: Curse of the Jinn.

This movie is not just about watching horror, it's about coming close to experiencing it. All through the running time, I had chills. Thereafter I couldn't sleep that night so I surfed the internet instead watching funny videos just to desensitise my mind from all the unsettling things I saw in the movie.

What made this film stand out was that every scene was filmed using documentary directorial style. The VFX, camera movements and the cinematography were amazing. The camera angles gave viewers the impression of being present right in the middle of all the chaos. It was a refreshing technique by the director compared to the previous films in the series.

The possession scenes are where the movie works best for me. Some of the scenes are uncomfortable rather than simply frightening which I prefer in supernatural horror.

This movie doesn't rely on the typical horror jump scares we see often. Instead it draws directly from Islamic rituals, taking the concept of jinn seriously and exploring it in depth, including the recitation of Ruqyah. Also, some of the scares relied too much on familiar possession horror tricks. There are scenes involving Kübra’s frightening behaviour, sudden movements, dark rooms, strange sounds, and disturbing images. After seeing several supernatural horrors, these scares become predictable.

I think the movie is stronger when it lets the story's mystery create the fear rather than trying to shock viewers with possessed person scenes.

The acting was fantastic and convincing. I enjoyed how the tension built throughout the movie. I understand director Hasan Karacadağ consulted real exorcists, victims of possession and religious scholars before writing and producing the movie which I think helped give it a sense eof authenticity and made it easier for viewers to connect with the story.

This movie left an impression on me. I liked it's Turkish setting, the connection between the supernatural events and the village's history, and the way it brings religion and psychology into the same story without making the mystery too easy to solve. If you have seen The Conjuring films, Hereditary and you watch this Dabbe movie, you will understand why it is one of the best horror films. To enjoy it, you should watch it with subtitles.

Rating this movie, I’d give it 9 out of 10 stars. If you enjoy horror movies, I’d say watch this one with caution because I guarantee you'll be spooked like you haven't been before.

All images above are screenshots from the movie

Poster image source, edited on Chatgpt

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