The Eye (2002)

Yet another take on the “possessed limb” genre which includes legit classics like Mad Love (1935) and the absurd but underrated Body Parts (1991), the supernatural threat from The Eye (2002) is caused by a corneal transplant that allows the new recipient to see the recently deceased. Pulling more inspiration from The Sixth Sense than any of films previously mentioned, this Hong Kong-Singapore production follows the same playbook as other millennial Asian horror entries, but delivers a few shocks you won’t see coming.

Blind since the age of two, Mun (Angelica Lee) has her vision surgically restored and immediately realizes there are unintended side-effects. Shadowy figures can be seen leading off patients in the hospital ward and disturbing strangers pop up that no one else can see. Enlisting the aid of a psychologist, the duo travel to Thailand to hunt down the original donor and unravel the psychic trauma left behind.

Disjointed, scattered and swimming in editorial cliches of the early aughts (if you can’t solve it, dissolve it!), the Pang Brothers nevertheless hit on some genuinely scary “I see dead people” moments. The rules behind Mun’s ability aren’t exactly cut and dry, so The Eye keeps the audience on its toes with spirits lurking in hallways, highways and spooky elevators. In typical Asian horror fashion, the conclusion revolves around laying a troubled spirit to rest, but the film as a whole takes a much gentler approach to the supernatural material, led by Angelica Lee’s strong but sympathetic performance. So much so that the Final Destination inspired ending seems like overkill, a blunt-force trauma finale that’s technically proficient but fits like a square peg in a round hole.

Arrow’s limited-edition 4K Ultra HD comes from a brand-new restoration and includes a new interview with production Peter Ho-Sun Chan, 15-minute visual essay from critic Heather Wixson, archival featurettes, trailers, an image gallery and collector’s booklet.