PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   During the early 2000s, Asian horror cinema dominated the genre. While the most iconic directors and films of this era often hailed from Japan—such as the works of Takashi Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and the Ring franchise—a variety of horror features from across the continent reached international audiences through niche DVD distributors like the now-defunct, highly regarded Tartan Asia Extreme.

These releases included titles from Thailand, such as 2004’s Shutter, and South Korea, featuring early projects from No Other Choice director Park Chan-wook. However, one of the most prominent pan-Asian horror hits of that period originated from the Pang brothers in Hong Kong.

Interestingly, The Eye is not the only Hong Kong horror film centered on a haunted eyeball. Variations on this theme appeared as early as 1974 in Ghost Eyes, which focused on possessed contact lenses, and My Left Eye Sees Ghosts, a comedic take on the concept directed by the legendary Johnnie To, released the same year as The Eye.

In contrast, Danny Pang Phat and Oxide Pang Chun’s take on this premise is significantly more somber, blending supernatural horror with romance and a tragic narrative. The film is reportedly based on a true story; the Pang brothers claimed they were inspired by a newspaper report from over a decade prior regarding a teenage girl who died by suicide following a corneal transplant. (Whether supernatural forces were involved in the real-life event remains unconfirmed.)

The story follows Wong Kar-mun (Angelica Lee), a classical violinist blind since age five, as she undergoes a corneal transplant to restore her vision. While the surgery is a success, it comes with a complication: along with the physical world, Kar-mun’s new eyes allow her to perceive the spirits of the dead. Disturbed by these visions, she and her psychiatrist, Dr. Wah (Lawrence Chou), travel to Thailand to uncover the history of her eye donor.

How Was The Eye Received Upon Its Initial Release?

The Eye was a major success in 2002. The Hong Kong/Singapore co-production performed well enough at the domestic box office to warrant two sequels, The Eye 2 and The Eye 10. Following this momentum, the film received a limited North American theatrical run, earning generally positive reviews from critics—a significant achievement for a horror film at the time.

In 2008, the film received the ultimate sign of its influence: a Hollywood remake, also titled The Eye, starring Jessica Alba. The remake was far less successful than the original, currently holding a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Why Is The Eye Important to See Now?

Despite its initial fame, The Eye has faded into obscurity over the last two decades, largely due to its limited availability. The decline of Asian horror exports in the late 2000s and 2010s caused many specialized distributors to fold, making these films difficult to find outside of out-of-print DVDs or imports.

This is unfortunate, as The Eye remains a masterpiece of slow-burn horror. The film covers significant ground, from Kar-mun’s surgery and the discovery of her unsettling abilities to a deep exploration of her donor’s past and a poignant, ironic conclusion that adds thematic depth to the protagonist. Overall, the film is more character-focused and subtle than typical supernatural horror, while still providing iconic, terrifying sequences like the elevator scene.

What New Features Does Arrow’s New 4K UHD Disc Have?

The primary appeal is a new 4K restoration, which brings the distinct, early-2000s visual effects into sharper focus. Beyond the technical upgrade, the film’s newfound accessibility on Blu-ray is a major draw. Arrow Video’s release, launching this April in both North America and the UK, also includes new bonus content, such as a visual essay by veteran critic Heather Wixson.

The complete list of features for Arrow’s 4K UHD Blu-ray release of The Eye is provided below.

• Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Reflections on The Eye, a brand new interview with producer Peter Ho-Sun Chan
• To See and to Feel: Vision, Empathy and the Feminine Ghost Story in The Eye, a brand new visual essay on the film by critic and horror specialist Heather Wixson
• An archival making-of featurette with interviews with producers Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Lawrence Cheng and actors Angelica Lee and Lawrence Chou
• An archival featurette on directors Danny and Oxide Pang
• Original theatrical trailers
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by film critic and Asian cinema specialist Hayley Scanlon

The Eye is now available on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Arrow Video and Arrow Films.