Grave torture(2024)

Movie Review: A Disappointing Dive into Grave Torture

Much anticipation surrounded this film, with many hailing it as the “Christopher Nolan of Indonesia.” Unfortunately, it falls short of such high praise. There’s been a lot of hype, with claims like, “It’s just like a western film” or “It’s more psychological, not relying on jump scares.” While the film has its strengths, it ultimately fails to live up to the buzz.

Let’s start with the positives. The atmosphere is well-crafted, drawing viewers in with a great sense of unease. The cinematography is impressive, adding a polished and artistic touch to the movie. The acting is also top-tier, with the cast delivering strong performances, especially our lead, Sita. But sadly, that’s where the praise ends.

The first half of the film presents an intriguing storyline. Sita, a brave woman, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind “Siksa Kubur,” or Grave Torture. The psychological and ideological battles, particularly surrounding religion, are captivating and set the stage for what could have been a gripping narrative. The exploration of these themes had real potential.

However, the second half of the movie takes a sharp nosedive. As Sita ventures into the grave, the film loses its psychological edge and instead introduces ghosts that are unintentionally laughable. One ghost resembles Venom, and another crawls on the walls like Spider-Man, making it difficult to take the horror seriously. The sudden appearance of old man zombies only adds to the absurdity—menacing, they are not.

A supposedly “scary” washing machine scene is a prime example of how the film fails to deliver on its horror promises. Set in a luxurious nursing home, the idea of a patient washing their own clothes felt forced and out of place, especially when tied to a twist that is more nonsensical than clever. Rather than invoking fear, it had me rolling my eyes in disbelief.

To make matters worse, Sita’s character, initially portrayed as a strong and determined woman—akin to Spider-Woman or Katniss Everdeen—becomes weak and vulnerable by the film’s end. This sudden shift in her character arc feels like a betrayal of the qualities that made her compelling in the first place.

The film claims to challenge viewers to reflect on the concept of Grave Torture and to provoke repentance, but by the end, I found myself wondering if I had just watched a superhero movie instead. What started as an intriguing psychological thriller devolved into a chaotic mix of supernatural and comic-book-like elements, leaving the film unsure of its identity.

In conclusion, while there are some redeeming qualities in its atmosphere, cinematography, and acting, the film ultimately collapses under the weight of its own ambitions. What could have been a thought-provoking exploration of faith and fear ends up feeling more like a misfire in the horror genre.