Movies
Anwar's latest horror film is nothing you haven't seen before, but it's executed with enough enthusiasm and love for the genre to turn this into an enjoyable genre exercise. Indonesian horror cinema has been doing well for a while now, the only problem is that it has become a little too predictable. There's some nifty gore on display, though most of the film relies on built-up tension. The cinematography is stylish, the performances are solid, and the score is on point. At nearly 120 minutes, the film's a tad long, but thanks to a pretty impressive finale, it never felt like it overstayed its welcome. Good fun.Read all
My first Joko Anwar. Anwar's been making a name for himself as a genre director and based on this film, it's not hard to see why. While Indonesia in general is enjoying a little horror boost of late, Impetigore is one of the most competent films I've seen from that region so far, stopping just short of true greatness. Anwar clearly has a knack for crafting a moody film. The cinematography is strong, with excellent use of color and lighting, the soundtrack isn't too shabby either and performances are on point. The problem is the plot, which offers little beyond the usual Indonesian ghost fare. After a strong start, the setup's just a little too slow and the pay-off not quite harsh enough, keeping the film from getting an even higher rating. Well recommended for horror fans.Read all
I guess the most disappointing thing about a film called Satan's Slaves is that it's really just another ghost/hauntings flick. In twenty years time, many Asian horror films still haven't really moved beyond Ringu. While the story itself tries to incorporate some novel influences, the horror is just shrouded ghosts and pale faces. Satan's Slaves is a well-made film, the problem is that you've probably seen it many times before. Performances are solid and the cinematography is stylish, but the haunts aren't all that scary and the backstory never really comes into its own. Certainly not bad, but it could've done with more original lore.Read all