Pamali: Dusun Pocong

Everyone has a different "horror" preference, and as a not-so-hardcore fan of horror films, I gave this movie a rating of 9/10 because the story is simple, super scary yet watchable, and entertaining.

Adapted from a popular Indonesian adventure video game, Pamali: The Tied Corpse, this film tells the story of how some medical officers and gravediggers end up having a dreadful experience because accidentally failed to follow local traditional customs.

There are not just 1 or 2 pocong involved, but a lot of them which makes this sequel more scary. (After all, pocong is the highest level and most famous of all ghosts here in Indonesia, especially on Java island)

I think choosing Fajar Nugra as the main cast is a good choice. Fajar comes from a Comedian background and how this film inserts an element of comedy into his acting makes this film quite entertaining.

The film Pamali: Dusun Pocong is greatly written and has a couple of good scares. The thing that bugs me is that some of the scares were very anticipable, the trope of having everything silenced with little to no sounds and leading with a jumpscare is just not that scary anymore. The make up of the ghosts look very amazing, and the corpses look very realistic. The cast is perfect and had little to no imperfections towards the acting. If you like horror stories and suspense, this film will be to your liking. The jumpscares are not that scary but look very nicely made especially with the camera work and the sequence of the scene. For this an 8/10 fits this movie, I won't be giving it a rewatch but it's a nice horror movie.

In my opinion, Pamali possesses its own unique charm that sets it apart from other films. With a blend of witty humor delivered by the cast, jump scares that had the entire cinema audience screaming hysterically, and pocong (The tied knot ghost) that are genuinely terrifying in terms of both makeup and numbers, Pamali stands out. Film reviewers typically evaluate movies based on their subjective judgment of various elements and compare them to other films.

As for me, a casual viewer, this film is nothing short of perfect for me. So, for anyone looking to watch Pamali Dusun Pocong, prepare to be amazed and pleasantly startled by this fantastic movie. Pamali Dusun Pocong successfully gave me the chills! I would give it a 9/10!

Seriously, the movie just started and it's already so thrilling. Seeing so many pocong made my hair stand on end, not to mention their terrifying faces. I can't count how many times I've been startled by the jump scares in this movie, to the point that my friend hid behind my shoulder. The storyline is very interesting, keeping me entertained throughout the entire watch. I was so engrossed in it that I didn't even realize my popcorn was gone. It's rare to see a movie adapted from a popular Indonesian game like this, especially one made in Bandung. No wonder many people say that this movie should have a high score.

Pamali: Dusun Pocong is an Indonesian horror film that draws heavily from local myths and rural superstitions. The movie succeeds in building an eerie atmosphere through its remote village setting and the ominous presence of traditional taboos, or pamali. The unsettling soundscape, dim lighting, and haunting visuals effectively create discomfort for the audience early on.

The film's strength lies in its cultural authenticity and atmospheric horror. Several nighttime scenes paired with spine-chilling sound effects deliver the classic horror feel. However, the narrative falls into familiar clichés and relies too much on jump scares without crafting a naturally escalating tension. The plot moves predictably with few surprises, and the characters lack emotional depth, making it difficult for viewers to connect with their personal struggles.

From a technical perspective, the production design is quite solid in portraying the eerie rural environment, though some visual effects feel a bit rough. Pamali: Dusun Pocong is suitable for fans of traditional Indonesian horror, but for those seeking a fresh concept with compelling characters and layered storytelling, this film might come off as rather ordinary.