For a film about time loop, the story and sci-fi concept itself isn't breaking any new grounds. However, the portrayal of the characters and their associated archetypes fit a certain narrative mood.
Any film aficionados will be able to tell the rough terrain of where the story is heading. Regardless, it is still arguably successful in leading you comfortably to where you want to go: That feeling of warmth after the storm. The modus operandi of each characters are clear and appealing. With the benefit of cultural context, one can really grow to appreciate the small details written into the dialogues, wardrobe choices, culinary references, and the general lack of hustle and bustle of Indonesian country-side.
The actors' portrayals are mostly acceptable and they do come through during climactic moments in the story. The main protagonist herself did a pleasant job in accentuating her character's arc. The way she cohabitates with the other casts on screen give you the overall impression of well-developed chemistry.
I do view the sci-fi element itself as being trite and it doesn't in anyway try to augment the movie trope it borrows from. In a way, that kind of compelling lack of novelty led me to nitpick all the trivial knick-knacks and sundries in hope that it will try to do something eccentric. Perhaps, looking at it through a higher lens, such a foray into this kind of storytelling isn't yet widely accepted nor understood as part of the cultural geist. With that in mind, it seems like the movie knows what it's doing in reference to the demographic it's trying to appeal to.
The shots, I would concur, are surprisingly impeccable with some questionable choices in regard to its editing and use of rather lackluster CGIs. The frames painted show the heart behind the filmmaker and vivify the message behind the story. However, its choice of visual effects took me out of some pivotal moments rather abruptly. They were at best banal and at worst amateurish. Another element lacking in most of the shots, mostly for the scenes of the actual crossroad, are the lack of contrasts. For a film titled "Crossroad", the film is mostly too dark to distinguish the literal crossroad.
Overall, it is a film I enjoyed watching, a somewhat fresh take on storytelling for Indonesian audiences despite its hackneyed usage in Western popular culture, a hearty choice of shots albeit with displeasing visual effects, and a compelling performance on the side of the casts.
