Sumala

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.

Gave this movie a go since it was on Netflix. I had no problem with the movie if it didn't rely too much on the over-the-top gore (what is this, the Saw franchise?).

The jumpscares (if I could even call them that) weren't even that good and the overall plot progression was too straightforward, you could already tell how the story would end in the first few minutes of the gore.

The characters had nothing to offer emotionally (I couldn't even sympathize with Kumala) and were forgettable except for the titular antagonist.

The movie relied itself too much on how it was based off an urban legend and failed to expand or provide even a tidbit of twist. It tried to pass itself off as a supernatural horror but ended up becoming just a meh slasher film with a dash of demon possession.

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.

The movie "Sumala" presents a fairly conventional storyline, but is still able to keep the audience's interest. Unfortunately, this storyline lacks significant surprises or plot twists, so it feels a bit flat. Perhaps because this movie is trying to explain a myth that is still prevalent in an area in Indonesia, the execution of the movie is in a flashback model. The beginning, the conflict, the climax, and the denouement are just like that.

In terms of acting, the cast actually performed quite well. Darius and Luna, as the leads, are able to bring their characters to life well. However, there is a feeling that they have not fully immersed themselves in the role, so the emotions conveyed are not maximized.

The pacing of the movie is relatively fast, following the standard of Indonesian horror movies in general. However, for viewers who like slow-burn horror like me, this pacing may feel unsatisfying.

The cinematography of this film is fairly good, although the color grading used still follows the trend of Indonesian horror films, which I don't like. However, a thumbs up for the totality of the properties used, which adds a convincing impression to the movie.

One thing that is quite annoying is the inconsistent use of language. The movie mixes Javanese and Indonesian, which I find less effective. If the goal is to be understood by all audiences in Indonesia, the movie should have used Indonesian throughout.

Overall, the movie presents a fairly predictable ending. Sumala takes revenge on everyone who has hurt her. Nonetheless, it's a satisfying ending to the story.

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.