Sekawan Limo

Without ever having heard about this 2024 Indonesian horror comedy "Sekawan Limo" (aka "Five Friends"), I opted to sit down and watch it, solely because it was an Asian horror movie of sorts that I hadn't already seen. And yeah, I have a thing for both Asian movies and horror movies, so combining the two is just a match made in Heaven.

I had no expectations to writer Nona Ica and director Bayu Skak, so they essentially had every possible chance to entertain and bedazzle me with their movie. And I have to say that the 6.7 rating on IMDb definitely served as lure as well.

However, I have to say that writer Nona Ica failed to conjure up a script and storyline that I found particularly enjoyable. Sure, it was a watchable enough movie, but it was lacking tremendously in both the comedy and horror department. And it was a rather forgettable and bland script, so it made for a somewhat bland viewing experience, but not among the worst of Indonesian horror movies I've sat through.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble, and I will say that the acting performances were fair, despite of the fact that the script failed to capture my interest.

"Sekawan Limo" was not a movie that made use of a lot of special effects, so it didn't really harvest some much needed points there.

Watchable, sure, but this was not a movie that catered to my particular liking in Asian comedy horror movies. And it is not a movie that I will return to watch a second time.

My rating of director Bayu Skak's 2024 movie "Sekawan Limo" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.

Don't understand why this movie has such a high rating-it feels overhyped. The story is shallow, the jokes mostly feel forced, and the ghost? Not scary at all! It looks more like someone in a cheap Halloween costume!!

This film falls under the horror-comedy genre, which is not new to Indonesian cinema. Previously, there have been successful movies in the same category, such as "Agak Laen" and "Ghost Writer". Unfortunately, this film, which primarily uses Javanese as its main language, struggles to match Agak Laen in terms of story, conflict, humor, or even its ghostly scares. Even though the idea of a ghost disguising as a human is interesting, the execution is weak.

While some jokes do land and bring a chuckle, the majority feel forced and fail to hit the mark. The most disappointing aspect is the portrayal of the ghost. Just like they wanted to make a costume party rather than a HORROR movie!

The narrative lacks depth, the ghost appearances are repetitive and dull, and the makeup and costumes feel cheap and lazy, as if the production was unprofessional.

What's puzzling is why this film received such high ratings. To me, it feels overhyped and doesn't live up to the praise. It's not even close to being as good as some other comedy films from Indonesia, let alone international hits like "3 Idiots" from India, which excel in storytelling, humor, and emotional depth.

Although the film had potential with its unique idea, it ultimately falls short due to underwhelming scares, bland jokes, and an overall lack of effort in its production. It's a disappointment for fans of the genre and a reminder of how important execution and script writing are in delivering an engaging horror-comedy.

Sekawan Limo is a comedy film that truly captures the essence of friendship and humor. The film's humor is its strongest suit. While some of the jokes might fall into the dry humor category, they somehow add to the charm of the movie. These moments, combined with laugh-out-loud antics, create a balance that makes the viewing experience enjoyable for a wide audience.

Although it doesn't take itself too seriously, the film has a subtle warmth that resonates-whether it's in the camaraderie, the misadventures, or the lessons learned along the way. If you're looking for something lighthearted and fun, Sekawan Limo is worth a watch. It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it has just the right amount of heart and humor to keep you entertained. Just watch it-you won't regret it!

Directed by Bayu Skak, "Five Friends" (originally titled "Sekawan Limo") brings a fresh twist to the horror-comedy scene, highlighting Indonesia's distinctive storytelling style. One review even dubbed it: A Climbing Comedy Horror with Heartwarming Surprises. I have to say, this film does a great job of blending humour and horror, making for an enjoyable watch, though it might not have you on the edge of your seat. It's really aimed at the local crowd, while the rest of the world seems to lean more towards the desensitized versions of horror. This film doesn't dive into that territory at all. The story follows a group of five pals who head out for a weekend mountain hike, only to get caught up in some supernatural shenanigans.

"Sekawan Limo" translates to "four out of five" in Javanese. It's a fresh creation from YouTuber Bayu Skak, who directed this nearly two-hour comedy horror with most of the dialogue in Javanese. Thankfully, there were subtitles in theaters, so anyone who speaks Bahasa Indonesian could follow along without a hitch. The cast delivered solid performances, though nothing too remarkable.

"Five Friends" also touches on themes like friendship, loyalty, and confronting fears, which adds a nice depth to the otherwise light story. The ending wraps things up nicely, leaving viewers both entertained and toa degree, thoughtful.

The non-linear storytelling in "Sekawan Limo" makes for a fun, easygoing film. Humour is subjective, but I found plenty of moments-especially those featuring Juna-to be quite amusing. That said, the podcast scenes didn't hit the mark for me in terms of laughs. Overall, I'd still call it a positive experience.