Grave Torture

Netflix often drops international horror films with little promotion, so I'm here to keep you in the loop. If you're into chilling stories, I highly recommend "Grave Torture", the latest from Indonesian horror master Joko Anwar (known for Satan's Slaves and Impetigore). It's streaming now, and trust me, it's worth watching!

"Grave Torture" grabs you right from the fantastic opening scene and never loosens its grip. The film masterfully builds tension, keeping you on edge with every twist and turn. Joko Anwar creates an atmosphere so thick with dread that it's impossible to look away, no matter how unsettling things get.

If you're after something truly creepy, this is it. The slow-burn suspense and chilling moments will stick with you long after it's over. "Grave Torture" is a must-watch for horror fans looking for a film that delivers on every front.

Life after death is not a new story that has emerged around us. From the animist era (kejawen) of Semar's disappearance to the realm of virtue to the concept of heaven and hell in the religion of Abraham, we are attached to the belief to do self-moral as a form of devotion to God. Interestingly, this movie does not try to reflect on moral boundaries, but instead challenges the general concept of each belief without offending any party. From the beginning, we are brought into the movie feeling various sides of emotions and the impression of injustice for deep wounds. Leading us to be unsure of the direction of this movie. I personally did not feel a deep impact when watching this movie the first time. But realized that there was a hidden message being carried. Creating various question marks about the direction of this film. Realizing that many feel this film is good, but for me personally this film is less able to describe an explicit picture or traumatic impression in death itself. Which is the soul of the movie itself. I realized that the director (from some media interviews) did not delve into that area, from the beginning he tried to open new doors to create a space for discussion. For me, this is unacceptable because it seems selfish and will exclude ordinary viewers who don't really dig the absurdity. If I reflect on this movie, it is more suitable to be juxtaposed with films like Shutter Island (2010) or Seven (1995). But I appreciate that Jokan (as fans call him) remains consistent in bringing his world. Given that quite a lot of people are fanatical about his work. Various theories are proposed and concluded, but not many are satisfying for me. I would personally recommend this movie for anyone who wants to explore further the psychological sides of humans rather than looking for trivial fears that are widely peddled in most Indonesian films.

Have you ever been in a group project where everyone had a good idea, but no one could agree on which one to use? That's exactly how this movie feels. While it does deliver some genuine scares (hence the bump to a 5), the overall direction is completely scattered. It feels like a college movie project gone off the rails.

This is not a 6/7-star horror movie like The Night House, A Dark Song, Session 9, Tigers Are Not Afraid, Huesera: The Bone Woman, or Lake Mungo (which I personally think deserve higher ratings, but are likely dragged down by non-horror fans). I suspect this film's rating may be inflated, possibly due to being more catered to a religious Indonesian audience.

It's worth a watch, but don't make it the main event for movie night. It's the kind of film you put on when you don't mind your friends talking during it. Or maybe the one you watch before diving into something really good.

Honestly, this movie would've worked better as an anthology. The number of different directions it tries to go in ends up being almost comedic at times.

Probably not the best Joko has produced as some have pointed out, but it's the most enjoyable to me so far. Pacing's good, not too fast, not too slow. The story's pretty understandable too, well at least 80% of it without the help of forum and discussion. Open to different interpretations? Yep, it's not Joko if it's not. Funny thing is, the movie doesn't feel like religious to me (from one particular religion) if you think it through, as it has a universal message of humans in the face of death as they lie dying rather than it is about people finding out one particular religion is right, or in other words: More psychological than religious, more human than supernatural, a spiritual journey and reflection about the end we're all gonna face one day, even for those who don't believe.

8.5/10.

Watching films is not just entertainment, but there is value that we bring home. Joko Anwar offers psychological horror, which is the time for film lovers to move up from just bland exotic horror. The cinematography and tone are perfect, the acting of all the actors is seasoned, even though some actors are debutants, the scoring is great, and the plot twist at the ending is typical Joko Anwar. The film is only 1 hour 57 minutes long, but it would take perhaps a week to discuss it.

Watching the Joko Anwar film is like reading an interactive children's novel by R. A. Montgomery. We are stimulated to think, every scene contains a clue. In fact, the ending of the film is also up to each viewer's interpretation. Joko Anwar never forces his will in any of his films.