Some horror films do not arrive with the promise of reinvention yet they manage to give us something refreshing just by refusing to follow the same tired formula. Labinak: Mereka Ada Di Sini is one of those films. It does not change the genre, it does not revolutionize what horror can be but in a landscape where Indonesian horror often feels stuck in the same cycle of ghosts and demons, this feels like a gust of different air. And sometimes, that is enough to make us lean in.
The story works because the characters are not just victims running aimlessly into darkness. They are trapped by life itself. Trapped by fate. Their struggles are grounded in something painfully human, a longing for a better life and the heavy realization that sometimes, no matter where you turn, there is no escape. This layer gives the terror more weight. It is not just about surviving monsters, it is about surviving the cruel trick that life has played on them.
Visually, the film finds a balance between CGI and practical effects. And that balance matters. Horror should feel tangible, like it could reach out from the screen and touch your skin. Here, the practical effects bring grit and texture especially in the gore which is as messy and bloody as you might secretly hope for in this kind of film. Buckets of blood splash across the screen, while pinkish at times but still deliciously disgusting. It is rare for Indonesian horror to lean into gore without digital shortcuts and while not perfect, this effort is admirable. The ghosts however, do not always look convincing. When the film leans too heavily into CGI, the effect slips into cartoonish. It makes us wish they had trusted the practical side more.
The pacing and tone however, leave us divided. It is entertaining, yes. The scares are there, yes. But we cannot help but feel the film could have gone further. It plays a little too safe for something with so much potential. It does not reach the nerve-wrecking tension of Rumah Dara Macabre nor does it carry the dread of Eden Lake nor the psychological sharpness of The Silence of the Lambs. It feels designed for a broader audience and in doing so, it sacrifices the chance to be truly terrifying. It's still an entertaining watch nevertheless.
And yet, the final act redeems much. The last twenty minutes erupt into a grand finale filled with ritualistic horror that feels both alive and terrifying. The setting recalls the haunting energy of Desa Penari Badarawuhi with its dance-like rituals and cultish atmosphere. Here, the film finally embraces its darker potential and for a moment, we are caught in its spell.
Verdict: Labinak: Mereka Ada Di Sini is a film that does not redefine horror but still offers something to savor. Its mix of practical gore, suffocating atmosphere and a finale that burns into your memory make it worthwhile. It stumbles in parts. Sometimes too safe and sometimes too reliant on digital tricks but it still manages to deliver an experience that feels fresh in the Indonesian horror scene. Imperfect yet satisfying, it reminds us why horror thrives when it dares to get a little dirty and a little different.
