Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon

Having sat through one majorly disappointing Indonesian movie earlier today, I thought I would opt for another Indonesian movie, and hopefully this time it would actually be a horror movie. And thus, I opted to sit down and watch the 2023 movie "Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon" from director Guntur Soeharjanto. Sure, I had never heard about the movie, but I found the movie's cover to be interesting enough to catch my attention. And while I had never heard about the movie, then I suppose director Guntur Soeharjanto had every chance to impress and entertain me.

The storyline in the movie was adequate. It wasn't the most original or innovative of horror stories, even from the Asian horror genre. Writers Tumpal Tampubolon, Ferry Lesmana and Sunil Soraya were simply playing it too safe, betting on generic and traditional horror tropes that has been done and seen in my other horror movies before this one. Sure, that doesn't make "Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon" a lousy movie, far from it, it just makes it a bit generic. But it was definitely watchable and enjoyable, I will say that much.

The only performers I was familiar with in the movie was actor Tio Pakusadewo and actress Luna Maya. I will say, though, that the acting performances in the movie were good.

The effects in the movie were good, and while it wasn't a movie that made use of an abundance of special effects, I will say that I was definitely adequately surprised with how good the effects were for an Indonesian horror movie.

"Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon" is worth checking out if you have a keen interest in Asian horror, and particularly Indonesian horror. But it is hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing.

"Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon" is a sequel to the 2018 movie "Suzzanna: Bernapas Dalam Kubur".

My rating of director Guntur Soeharjanto's 2023 movie "Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon is a bold attempt to revive an Indonesian horror legend that has long held a special place in the hearts of local film enthusiasts. This film brings back the iconic character of Suzzanna with a classic atmosphere blended with modern cinematography elements. I give this film a 7/10 rating, because although it successfully builds an eerie horror atmosphere, there are several aspects that feel less than optimal.

The main attraction of this film certainly lies in its strong Javanese mystical aura. The art direction, the old house props, and the nighttime setting with thin fog and the sound of crickets effectively transport the audience back to the horror film atmosphere of the 1980s. The background music is also effective in creating tension without relying too heavily on jump scares.

Luna Maya's performance as Suzzanna deserves appreciation. She manages to portray this character with fitting gestures and expressions, without appearing to forcibly imitate her predecessor. Some of Suzzanna's iconic scenes are also brought back, evoking nostalgia for longtime viewers while still being enjoyable for new audiences.

Unfortunately, in terms of story, this film plays it safe with an old formula. The plot is predictable and some conflicts are resolved too quickly. The horror scenes, while quite effective, fail to offer anything truly fresh.

However, overall, Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon remains worth watching as an effort to preserve Indonesia's classic horror in the midst of the modern horror wave. This film can be a fittingly eerie entertainment option for fans of local horror or for a new generation curious about the Suzzanna legend.