Sumala

Sumala may not bring a completely new or groundbreaking concept to the table, but it's still a very engaging watch. From the start, it knows exactly how to pull the audience in and keep the tension steady throughout. Lately, there's been a wave of Indonesian horror movies diving into the origins of different ghosts and spirits, and while that trend is getting a bit crowded, Sumala manages to stand out. It doesn't feel repetitive or dull like some others. The storytelling is tight, the atmosphere is creepy in the best way, and the emotional side of the story gives it more depth. It's clear that the filmmakers cared about the details, and that makes a big difference.

Sumala is a drama that explores the tragic life of Kumala, a young woman who faces relentless hardship. The film effectively portrays her suffering, from being constantly bullied for her body to enduring abuse from her own parents. Her life is a downward spiral of pain, making her story deeply emotional and heartbreaking. The cinematography captures her despair well, and the performances feel raw and authentic. While the film is heavy and difficult to watch, it successfully conveys the harsh realities of Kumala's ruined life, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Overall, I would suggest that the movie is not that good.

This movie is a horror film inspired by a real urban legend from a village in Semarang, Indonesia. The story of Sumala has been widely discussed in local podcasts, and the village is known for its strict rule prohibiting people from going outside after Maghrib. According to witnesses, a boy was killed by Sumala while retrieving a lost ball, and his body was later found in a river. These chilling accounts have contributed to the legend's eerie reputation.

However, the film takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on the firsthand ghostly encounters reported by multiple visitors to the village, it chooses to dive into the backstory of Sumala, a narrative that may or may not be true. This decision weakens the horror aspect, as the film leans more into action-gore territory, resembling movies like *Chucky* and *Saw*, rather than delivering the eerie suspense expected from a ghost story.

One of the biggest letdowns is the acting. Darius Sinathrya, who plays the father, gives an unconvincing very poor performance, while Luna Maya, playing the mother, delivers a passable but uninspired role. The supporting cast is a mixed bag, some performances are solid, but others fall flat. Despite its tense atmosphere, the weak acting and misplaced focus on gore over mystery make the film less compelling than it could have been.

Overall, Sumala had the potential to be a gripping horror film, especially with the terrifying real-life accounts behind it. But instead of exploring the unsettling experiences of those who have visited the village of Sumala, it prioritizes an exaggerated origin story, making it feel more like an action-gore thriller than a true horror mystery.

The movie "Sumala" presents a fairly conventional storyline, but is still able to keep the audience's interest. Unfortunately, this storyline lacks significant surprises or plot twists, so it feels a bit flat. Perhaps because this movie is trying to explain a myth that is still prevalent in an area in Indonesia, the execution of the movie is in a flashback model. The beginning, the conflict, the climax, and the denouement are just like that.

In terms of acting, the cast actually performed quite well. Darius and Luna, as the leads, are able to bring their characters to life well. However, there is a feeling that they have not fully immersed themselves in the role, so the emotions conveyed are not maximized.

The pacing of the movie is relatively fast, following the standard of Indonesian horror movies in general. However, for viewers who like slow-burn horror like me, this pacing may feel unsatisfying.

The cinematography of this film is fairly good, although the color grading used still follows the trend of Indonesian horror films, which I don't like. However, a thumbs up for the totality of the properties used, which adds a convincing impression to the movie.

One thing that is quite annoying is the inconsistent use of language. The movie mixes Javanese and Indonesian, which I find less effective. If the goal is to be understood by all audiences in Indonesia, the movie should have used Indonesian throughout.

Overall, the movie presents a fairly predictable ending. Sumala takes revenge on everyone who has hurt her. Nonetheless, it's a satisfying ending to the story.

Evidently it's based on real-life reports of a demonic presence in an Indonesian community. Instead of exploring these alleged encounters the movie focuses on the origin of the titular antagonist. There's some decent gore but very little horror because none of the characters are likeable enough to engender any sympathy. There are also no surprises or reveals because the story is completely straightforward. It's competently directed, edited and acted but the overall experience is never more than middling because the script doesn't take any interesting risks or deviate from the expected narrative.