I watched the latest Indonesian Box Office movie; Pengabdi Setan 2.
The last time I went to cinema was a few years ago. I watched a few cartoons but kept falling asleep during those days. Yesterday was my first time going to the cinema again. I can say watching it from the cinema offers a different experience and is more intense, especially when watching horror movies. In Indonesia, there are about 2 cinemas that offer different movies and experiences. The one that I went to is the basic cinema called XXI, while in the past, I used to go to CGV that even offers a bed seat where you can comfortably watch a movie on a comfy bed with a blanket. Honestly, I was just going to the cinema out of the blue. During the day, I was watching Pengabdi Setan 1 which was released years prior to this one. In English, the movie is translated as Satan’s Slave.
Just when I thought that the movie would be a crappy horror movie, I got hooked watching the 1st one. The mystery in this movie is world-class Hollywood and not just some shitty tier- Indonesian typical movie. When I look at the director, it is no wonder as it is a movie by Joko Anwar, a prominent figure in the Indonesian film industry. Anything from him is no joke.
By all means, I am not a horror fan but his movie was something I can make an exception of. Pengabdi Setan 1 and 2 are a mixture of horror, mystery, crime, history and borderline Fantasy. The setting of both movies was during the 80’s. It also brings up some topics that I used to hear a lot as a kid, “petrus” or mysterious executor. Back in the day, anyone who had a tattoo could be subject to execution and they all just mysteriously disappeared. As my mom puts it, it’s like an abduction and killing but done by the established govt at the time. Somehow, it was justified under the reason of lowering the crime rate. These days, many places where those victims were executed became some sort of haunted place. When my family and I passed through a certain jungle in the country, my dad would mention that the place was a place where these mysterious executioners would bury the bodies. With those interesting settings that I already was familiar with, the movie became sort of engaging to me.
Satan’s slave revolves around the narrative of people who worship the devil in hope to get children. The movie specifically focuses on a family of 6 whose apparently all are the satan’s children. The movie is full of plot twists that were about to reveal slowly from the 1st one to the 2nd one. Even the 2nd one leaves one too many questions that I am hoping for the 3rd to come out very soon.
Are they all bound to be sacrificed? Can they even leave the cult or once they make a deal with the devil, there’s no way out?
All these aren’t even answered fully in the 2nd part. So, I am definitely anticipating the 3rd one.
Some of the characters themselves were ambiguous in terms of, you can’t quite describe if they are some sort of gods, deities, or just simply human being. But obviously there are the spirits, satans, and the children of satans that are human. Only a few of seemingly prominent characters left untold.
The cinematography was also one-of-a-kind. It was successful in building the tension in the movie and even when I watched it, I was so absorbed in it. The freaky creatures were creepy and I closed my eyes just enough to peek at what was going on. Overall, it was the movie that I can’t shut up and would love to recommend everyone to watch it. Not to mention, watching from the cinema was also different experience.
The music throughout the movie was also intriguing. It was not too creepy but enough to build the atmosphere. Some of the music also matches the 80’s with some Indonesian classics playing in the background.
Even this morning, I had a conversation with my housemate. She mentioned some conspiracy theory going on about the movie and its relation to the other movie from the same director. The movie is indeed quite a sensation until almost all the places I see use the term Pengabdi (x) to do some form of advertisement. I hope you can find this movie with English subtitles somewhere as this movie is hard to miss.
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