The Corpse Washer follows familiar tropes and ideas but introduces some unique elements and social commentary. Lela, a young mortician, is unhappy with her life and the work she inherited from her family, especially since her mother insists on keeping it as a tradition. After her mother suddenly dies, Lela notices something odd about her body while washing it, unraveling secrets from the past with dire consequences.
The premise is simple yet intriguing, featuring some interesting elements. Lela and the other characters are mostly likable, and the actors deliver commendable performances. The acting is a bit uneven at times, especially from minor characters, but it's not too distracting.
The film heavily relies on jump scares and rarely takes the time to build a tense atmosphere. Instead, it bombards viewers with scary faces and loud noises. To its credit, the makeup and effects are well done, preventing it from feeling like a low-budget jumpscare fest. However, the movie doesn't fully reach its potential and could have been more engaging.
It's a decent watch, with a reasonable 107-minute runtime, so you won't feel like you've wasted over two hours if it doesn't fully click for you. If you enjoy Indonesian cinema, especially horror, you might want to give it a try, though it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression. [5,6/10]
