Pintu Terlarang

A less horrific thriller than I would have expected, and so much the better, the film shines with its unusual themes and mystery.

Although some elements of the plot are predictable or even dont make sense even after the end of the movie, it is a real pleasure to see the evolution of the main character until the end screen, which even if it disappoints me slightly, remains an interesting point of view.

While the climactic twist delivers its intended impact, I find that the film, in its entirety, lacks the depth I desired, ended up providing me a rather bland experience, that is too vanilla for my taste.

And this sentiment specifically stems from its conflicting writing choices. Themes explored are undoubtedly serious and carry significant weight, yet the film's somewhat incongruous lightheartedness diminishes the potency of its thematic substances.

Not only that, the element of shock & surprise is less, and the emotional connection seemed nearly absent.

I feel, a more darker, melancholic approach would have been beneficial for the narrative.

As another breakthrough in thriller genre that has just grown in Indonesian cinema, Pintu Terlarang (Forbidden Door) goes far beyond the genre's boundaries. Based on the novel by Sekar Ayu Asmara, this psychological mind-thriller has re-shaped with Joko Anwar's very own absurdity. Here, that stylish Indonesian director, Joko Anwar, who brought us Janji Joni and the mesmerizing adventure fantasy, Kala, has once again takes his audience to another world and mind-bending dimension with his absurd way of storytelling, vintage-noir art direction and scores that make you fly with it.

The famous pregnant woman sculptor, Gambir (Fachri Albar) starts losing his world after getting strange same messages from an abused little boy. With everyone around suddenly act strange, his paranoia then leads the shocking findings that may opens the door to his deepest fears.

Beautifully shots, acted and wrapped, Joko leaves his audience wonders, questioning and even arguing every clues he used just like opening the encrypted codes to a secret files. A gory-ness disturbing scenes that comes without compromise, a complex plot that even screw your minds, high-style art directing, intense acting that put the highest credits to Fachri Albar, haunting atmosphere all over the movie, brilliant scores, comes along together as one must-see Indonesian movie of the decades. Just like one movie that could rolls puzzling through your minds, Pintu Terlarang/Forbidden Door is truly, beautifully disturbing and violently haunting. It's a one hell-ride of your life!

I have just recently had the opportunity to watch this movie even though I have noticed the surround positive reviews of the movie for some time. And after watching it just yesterday, it would be fair to say that this picture by far is the best modern picture made by Indonesian filmmaker.

It is a bold, horrifying, intense and mean noir psychological horror. The horrid surreal atmosphere and chilling gore very much remind me of Lynch's and Aronofsky's style which is outstanding. Watching this movie really gives you a more complex horrid feeling than any kind of Indonesian horror with excessive portion of demon and ghost appearance more than you beg for of which you can't help but to smirk. And fairly said, this movie has put back faith in me that indeed Indonesian filmmaker can so do much better than only of those sex exploit movies and series of ridicule horror.

Finally said, this movie is very recommended as an introductory to a fine piece of Indonesian modern cinema. And despite the plot may not be very original at all and at some point the gory scene may need a little extra stomach to bear, but to skip this modern horror experience would be a sin to every horror/thriller movie lover.

This movie is a perfectly executed thriller combining startling and grisly violence with mystery and a foreboding mood. A young artist finds himself drawn into a world of terror against his will and his life begins to unravel. This is a story of a cruel world and of living under the power of others.

The multi-part climax and ending could be described predictable, surprising, (Yes, both of those) as truly epic, and cryptic. I think I've figured what it was supposed to mean, though even had you left the theatre merely confused, you'll appreciate the craft and you will have been affected by the movie.

The acting and direction is top notch, and I can attest that the movie was foreboding even when interrupted by technical difficulties and projector problems as my theatre endured when the movie was screened. (Appropriately enough given the English title, our projector broke in two parts where the main character opened a door at a tense moment)

I would love to see more work by these people.