Sumala

Watched this while on holiday in Malaysia. I didn't have high hopes as from the start the acting is wooden at best but the premise of the film kept me watching.

I did like Makayla Rose Hilli's performance as Sumala/Kumala as she gave it her all but by the end I was watching just to complete the film rather than enjoying it. Also knowing that it is based on legend in the forests of Indonesia made it more interesting.

There were some nods to other films of this genre. The Omen, The Ring etc and a couple of nice references to The Shining.

All in all a watchable horror to fill some time but I imagine there are better Indonesian movies out there.

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.

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.

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.

Given my love of both horror movies and Asian cinema, then of course I would sit down and watch the 2024 Indonesian horror movie "Sumala", as I had the opportunity to do so here in 2025. I didn't need any persuasion to do so. Nor did I know what the movie was about, or what I was getting into, but I assumed that it was probably a subpar horror movie, as the Indonesian horror genre has been rather stale for the last year or two.

But color me impressed. I was genuinely and wholeheartedly entertained throughout the course of the 112 minutes that the movie ran for, as writers Betz Illustration and Riheam Junianti put together a great script and storyline. It was a rather compelling script that encompasses the audience in the narrative. It was a nicely, and well-told, story, with interesting and detailed characters.

The only cast ensemble I was familiar with in the movie was Luna Maya. I will say, though, that the acting performances in the movie were good, by all of the actors and actresses. Child actress Makayla Rose Hilli really put on a great performance.

While the movie definitely started out interestingly enough, it was sort of a sleeper movie, but at around 1 hour into the playtime, it really kicks off and gets into a proper gear. And "Sumala" is not a movie for faint of heart. Nay, "Sumala" was Indonesian horror done right, and that was a most welcomed thing for me, as I have found the Indonesian horror genre to have been in a stale slump for the past couple of years.

"Sumala" is a pretty brutal movie, especially when Kumala runs amok about an hour into the movie. But there is something oddly liberating about her getting revenge on those tormenting her, but be warned, it is not scenes that are suitable for everyone in the general audience.

It was really refreshing to sit down and watch "Sumala", because this was the most proper Indonesian horror movie released in recent years. And it is well-worth sitting down and spending 112 minutes on watching.

Visually then the movie was good. There are some scenes which may not be suitable for sensitive viewers; just a heads up, as there are some pretty gruesome scenes in the movie. I liked the special effects in the movie, I will say that, and the effects looked good and realistic, and really added something grand to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

My rating of director Rizal Mantovani's 2024 horror movie "Sumala" lands on a well-deserved seven out of ten stars.