Siccin 5

Siccin 5 (2018) – Black Magic, Horror, and Folkloric Terror

Siccin 5, directed by Alper Mestçi, is the fifth entry in the Turkish Siccin horror series, continuing its tradition of exploring black magic, jinn possession, and spiritual terror rooted in Islamic folklore. Released in 2018, the film builds on the dark atmosphere and occult themes that define the franchise, delivering a story that is both disturbing and steeped in mysticism.

The film centers around Hale, a 12-year-old girl living with her mother, aunt, and mentally unstable grandmother in an old, isolated house in central Turkey. Hale, born after her father mysteriously disappeared, starts having vivid, terrifying visions involving a haunted house and the presence of a sinister male figure she has never met. Her personality begins to change, and strange events start to unfold around her family.

As the story develops, it becomes clear that Hale’s dreams are connected to a forbidden ritual performed years earlier. Three families begin experiencing nightmarish hauntings, and their fates seem bound by a dark curse that transcends generations. Only by uncovering the truth and confronting their own sins can they hope to break free from the supernatural torment.

Unlike many Western horror films, Siccin 5 relies heavily on Islamic religious symbols, dark magic rituals (sihr), and the cultural understanding of jinn. These elements create an atmosphere of dread rooted in regional beliefs, making the horror feel deeply personal and spiritual rather than merely psychological.

The film is visually intense, using unsettling camera angles, quick cuts, and eerie sound design to emphasize the horror. The old house serves as a perfect setting—claustrophobic, shadowy, and filled with relics of the past. Director Alper Mestçi’s use of darkness, flickering lights, and sudden visions crafts a slow-burning dread that occasionally erupts into shocking imagery.

Performance-wise, Merve Ateş, who plays Hale, delivers a haunting portrayal of a child caught between innocence and possession. The rest of the cast is serviceable, though the dialogue and pacing occasionally suffer, particularly during emotionally heavy scenes. Some critics have noted that the story, while frightening in parts, lacks cohesion and leans too heavily on familiar tropes from the earlier films in the series.

Audience reactions to Siccin 5 are mixed. Some fans praised it for continuing the franchise’s grim tone and its use of authentic religious horror, especially in the final ten minutes, which many found to be the most terrifying part. Others felt the movie was overly reliant on past formulas, lacking the originality and emotional depth of its predecessors. It’s a film that evokes strong reactions—both positive and negative.

In summary, Siccin 5 is a visually eerie, thematically rich horror movie that continues the legacy of one of Turkey’s most recognized supernatural franchises. It offers atmospheric tension, creepy folklore, and disturbing rituals, though it may feel repetitive to long-time viewers. For those intrigued by jinn horror and cultural-specific spiritual terror, it’s still worth watching—if you’re brave enough.