Recently, I have checked out several Indonesian horror films and haven't been able to write reviews for them since they were pretty bad. It's easier to write bad reviews. Not if your expectations for them were higher. I feared that like the ones I saw, this title would be as unremarkable. Fortunately, Ronggeng Kematian is surprisingly good!
But before you are jumping with joy, I need to warn you. While the drama elements are compelling, the horror elements are a little lacking. Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad, but they just aren't scary. Certain parts are certainly creepy, although I doubt people will jump up from their seats. That being said, the mystery that is unravelled is compelling enough. Sure, compared to similar films, it's a little predictable. Still, with films like these, it's more about the journey than the conclusion. In that regard, the film does offer a few surprises. It goes out of their way to keep you in the dark. To a degree it succeeds to do this. However, if like me, you are a big film fan like me, very likely you will also be able to predict the story.
I do have to mention some stand out performances that elevated the viewing experience. Claresta Taufan Kusumarina is the first one that impresses. In large part, she is innocent. This is demonstrated when she finds stuff other people would be creeped out by. She is excited since she is genuinely overjoyed by finding these items. Her smile is charming but can also be interpreted as devious. I won't go into why this is. You will find out for yourself. The other is Cindy Nirmala. Both Claresta and Cindy are hot. Yet both are able to manifest an innocence that automatically makes you root for them, even if at times they aren't quite themselves. It's clear that the film is telling a tale of morality, and that is why you have these innocent women act in the way they do. I liked the fact that they weren't opposed to having fun and weren't squeamish. It's a very important detail.
Overall, I dug it. If they had managed to instil fear and dread, this easily would have been a classic. Director Verdi Solaiman did his best. I am sure, that if he keeps at it, he will achieve to do so.
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