Now it's time for Southeast Asian Horror Movies!
Ahh, Southeast Asia, the region where one of the favorite pasttimes is sharing horror stories and a shared fear of smelling jasmine at night out of nowhere. SEAbling energy is to the max, where no one else can bully them but themselves.
These ones are pretty recent so I'm not gonna go into too much detail about the plot. Still, this page will be full of spoilers so read at your own risk!
The Elixir (2025) (Indonesian: Abadi Nan Jaya)
A herbal concoction was supposed to give people a new lease on life. Instead, it starts a zombie outbreak in a remote Indonesian town.
Starring: Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Marthino Lio, Dimas Anggara, Varen Arianda Calief, Ardit Erwandha, Claresta Taufan, Donny Damara, Kiki Narendra, Vonny Anggraini
Directed by: Kimo Stamboel
The plot is basically the same with all other movies. Made in the lab, ingested by patient zero, then spread. The ending, as expected, is the outbreak spreading.
My first thought in these kinds of movies is: has no one in this universe seen a zombie movie at least once? Because Bambang is a gamer in this story. He even has a crossbow. How do you not know what a zombie is?
I had to pause many times because wow they're dumb. Imagine thinking 'let's honk so the feral humanoid things will be attracted to noise because I don't believe my husband'. I've never seen such an incompetent group of main characters. Instead of saying "Police officers, there's a zombie/monster outbreak out there and they're eating people", they say "there's been an accident and we need a car."
Final thoughts:
I'm a bit irked it doesn't explain anything. It just says herbal concoction and that's it. No explanation? We don't even get a bit of lore? Well, I suppose this is the kind of movie that doesn't delve into that but it would have been nice. Instead we get a bunch of drama. We're not supposed to take it seriously anyways.
Story: 5/10
Visuals: 100/100
Zombie make up: 100/100
Character stupidity: 1000/10
Survival instinct: 0 (let's say this is a world with no zombie media, they've still got the survival instincts of pandas)
Durability of riot shields: over 9000
Acting: 8/10
Rewatch: if I want to turn into the Incredible Hulk sure
Attack 13 (2025)
New at school, Jin makes waves challenging her ruthless volleyball captain. But when the girl turns up dead, her spirit returns to settle the score.
Starring: Korranid Laosubinprasoet, Ladapa Thongkham, Veerinsara Tangkitsuvanich, Nuttawat Thanataviepraserth, Tarisa Preechatangkit, Ramita Rattanapakdee, Ongart Cheamcharoenpornkul, Watchara Tangkaprasert
Directed by Taweewat Wantha
I love Thai horror movies. This one starts particularly slow.
The plot is just what it says. Bully sets her eyes on new girl Jin, but this girl isn't like her usual victims. The tables are turned as Bussaba the bully ends up being dead, and she begins to haunt her former victims.
Normally, in these kinds of stories, the victim who dies starts haunting in revenge. This time, it's in reverse, so this is unusual.
The main character being a murderer too is also new.
I also hate the boyfriend. Cheating ass. If you don't want to date the bully, break up with her. I lost respect for Jin too. Why you gotta flirt with a guy who has a girlfriend, even if said girl was a bully? I've never liked those plotpoints in stories.
I feel a little bad for Bussaba because the men in her life (her alcoholic abusive father, her cheating ass boyfriend, her coach who basically forced her to sleep with him - did he force her to get an abortion?) let her down. Not an excuse to bully but we know how the cycle of violence goes. But dang she bullied them in life and now she can still bully them in death.
Since this is set in Thailand, people just accept the possibility of being haunted and doesn't go the "Ghosts aren't real, ya crazy" route.
Now the question is who summoned Bussaba? The motive becomes obvious when you start suspecting it. The only thing I can think of was, "Damn, you're whacked."
Final thoughts:
It's hard for me to root for anyone because they'll all crappy characters.
Story: 7/10 it's new and the twist wasn't too predictable so that was nice for me. On rewatch everything makes sense.
Gore: 8/10
Character stupidity: 4/10 They're all genre savvy. The main character is also knife happy.
Ghost appearance: 7/10 (This is a ghost who can interact with the real world so it's fine by me.)
Acting: 8/10
Rewatch? Maybe
Telaga Suriram (2025)
When a young girl is found drowned in a well, rumors of demonic sacrifice tear through the community as her ghost torments villagers and exposes secrets.
Starring: Maya Karin, Nabida Huda, Farid Kamil, Scha Al Yahya, Puteri Rafasya, Ellie Suriaty Omar, Sri Idrina, Amar Bahri Shafiee, Naza Manas, Fauzi Baadila
Directed by: Osman Ali
There's not much I can say about this movie. We know from the start something happens to Suriram, and that she is found in a well, and she's haunting the village. So I guess we're just waiting to see who among the villagers killed the girl?
I'm also snoozing a bit. I'm trying to focus but I can't get into it.
Final thoughts:
The story had some potential, but I think it could have been executed better? Especially the twist. I felt like it dragged on too long and we got the actual movie at the second half.
Acting: 6/10 but the one who plays Maimon (Nabila Huda) is 10/10, her mom too
Ghost apprearance: 6/10 I can't really say much here, not even scary but it's not that kind of horror so *shrug*
CGI: uhhhhh what on earth is that ending
Rewatch: No
Hopefully I get to watch some horror movies, but since it's December, I'll probably watch those Hallmark movies or something.
Comments
Post a Comment