Pengepungan di Bukit Duri

Watched on April 22nd, 2025

The Siege at Thorn High (Pengepungan di Bukit Duri) didn't hold back delivering its grim and strong message, it's in your face right from the opening scenes. This movie tells us about lots of things but the one thing that sticks out and stays with me until I have no idea when is to never stop talking about our darkest times in the past. It's basically a cautionary tale and wake-up call for Indonesia if we want brighter days ahead of us. Education is one of the most vital things that helped a nation to be at its peak and it's baffling that there's even a place for outcast students that feels more like a goddamn prison where you learn nothing else than survival. The movie throws shade on a recurring issue, which is our government seemingly couldn't care less about education being accessible for everyone while keeping green-lighting any other less urgent and more concerning programs. This is a depiction of a country on the brink of collapse where the government has abandoned its own people. Jefri is pretty much a product of the past and the future if things are still the same because the only things he knows are violence, rage, hatred, and racism.

So far, this is Joko Anwar's most well-made movie as a whole. The overall production is solid and the entire superb cast made this journey thrilling and emotional. Morgan Oey should be a leading man in more action movies. Shaky cam in fight scenes is a thing that I always hated but it's tolerable here.

Not that I complain, well maybe a bit since I expected it to be Joko's take on (or his version of) The Raid based on the trailers alone, but it's still in the realm of good enough to see on the theaters. Acting was on spot; setting? No need to doubt, it's Joko; story or plot has some kind of depth, especially on its commentary on not just racism, but more importantly, on the long term effect of bad parenting. This movie is Joko's clear attempt on visualizing the famous African proverb: "A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth", and he succeed because I already got the message from the first viewing. So lower your expectation down, it's not about the fight scenes, it's about the message on how we should move forward as a nation in real life.

7/10.

I am from Europe so I was not aware of the Indonesian riots of 1998. This movie opened my eyes to the atrocities commited during that time and shows what humans are capable of when they are driven to the edge of sanity. I would recommend people read up on the riots and watch some actual footage of it as well.

The movie itself was done very well. Brilliant acting by the main lead and the antagonist. The female lead was good as well. Plot was very good and the movie was paced well. Excellent directing. I will definitely watch more Indonesian movies now.

To the people trying to bury the atrocities of 1998 and not wanting to be reminded of it, remember people who forget the mistakes of their past are destined to repeat them in the future.

Joko Anwar is bold enough to raise the issue of racial discrimination against Chinese Indonesians.

(Apologies) Without intending to discredit Gen Z and beyond, this film can be quite provocative if viewers don't filter or approach it with an open mind.

At the very least, it will prompt them to look up historical articles about the 1998 tragedy.

Morgan Oey + Omar Esteghlal = Boom!

Fatih Unru was quite memorable for me.

Minimal plot holes, but unfortunately it loses momentum from the middle to the end.

The layered plot twists were interesting, though one of them was predictable - minus 0.5 from my rating.

Joko Anwar is (still) the best director at the moment.

About a teacher named Edwin who searches for his sister's child, who was raped. It's set in a dystopian era with riots everywhere. Inspired by the racist riots against the Chinese in 1998.

The visuals are quite impressive, with Jokan's graphic, gory scenes. From beginning to end, we see slashings, stabbings, and burnings-all of them fantastically brutal. Personally, I was watching it with a shiver of joy and wincing.

Personally, i expected plenty of action. However, the transitions between the stories felt slow, and many of my expectations felt unfulfilled. Even so, Jokan managed to deliver another jaw-dropping ending.

In the end, this film successfully depicts and critiques all forms of racial issues that have occurred in Indonesia and also portrays the deplorable morality of schoolchildren. Whether it's violence or offensive language (ajg, bgst, ngentot)-it's all truly present here.

Anyway, keep this up, Bang Jokan!