Qorin

I hadn't heard about this 2022 Indonesian horror movie titled "Qorin" before 2023, as I had the opportunity to sit down and watch it. I liked the movie's cover, and thus I picked it up. And with it being an Asian horror movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I managed to find the time to sit down and watch it.

However, writers Lele Laila and Ginanti Rona failed to put together a storyline for the movie that entertained me. The narrative was too monotonous and there weren't enough scary stuff in the movie to really keep the movie interesting. And it didn't help one bit that all the characters in the story were essentially just one and the same.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie. And whether or not the actresses in the movie performed well or not was rather difficult to distinguish, as all the female characters in the movie were essentially just cut from the same cloth; they all looked and acted the same way.

Director Ginanti Rona's 2022 movie was a disappointing movie experience, and not one I would recommend for fans of the Asian horror cinema. There are far better Indonesian horror movies readily available.

My rating of "Qorin" lands on a three out of ten stars.

*Qorin* is an Indonesian horror film that tackles an ambitious and culturally rich narrative, yet ultimately struggles to deliver a cohesive and compelling experience. While the movie has intriguing elements and strong performances, it is hindered by a disjointed storyline and pacing issues that prevent it from reaching its full potential.

The film's premise, revolving around the concept of Qorins-Jinns that compel individuals to commit evil deeds-offers a unique and culturally specific take on horror. Set in a Java boarding school, the story follows an evil teacher who manipulates his students to summon their Qorins, seeking control and power over them. This setup provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of control, power, and resistance, particularly within the context of Indonesian culture and Islamic beliefs.

However, the execution falls short. The narrative is plagued by numerous story gaps and a lack of focus, making it difficult for the audience to stay engaged. The film starts strong but quickly loses momentum as it attempts to juggle too many plot threads without sufficient development. The transitions between scenes are often abrupt and confusing, contributing to a disjointed viewing experience. This is exacerbated by the slow pacing, which fails to build the necessary tension and suspense typical of effective horror.

The characters, while well-acted, are not given enough depth to make their struggles fully engaging. The evil teacher's motivations and backstory, including his hatred towards his father-in-law and his perverse behavior, are clear but not explored in a way that adds substantial weight to the narrative. The two lead actresses deliver strong performances, but their efforts to fight back and save their peers are undermined by the film's lack of narrative cohesion.

Despite these shortcomings, *Qorin* does have its moments. The atmospheric setting and cultural context provide a fresh backdrop for horror, and there are several genuinely creepy and suspenseful scenes. The concept of Qorins and the religious undertones offer a different perspective on the genre that is worth noting.

In conclusion, *Qorin* is a film with a lot of potential that ultimately falls short due to its fragmented storytelling and pacing issues. While it has interesting ideas and strong performances, these elements are not enough to overcome the disjointed narrative and lack of focus. It is a watchable film for those interested in Indonesian horror, but it may leave many viewers wanting more in terms of coherence and impact.

When it comes to assessing a hyper local horror movie, there are several factors that can make or break the overall experience for a viewer. While the cinematic elements of a film, such as color grading and set design, may be visually impressive, they alone cannot save a movie that falls short in other key areas. Unfortunately, this is the case with the horror movie in question.

Despite its stunning visual presentation, the film fails to deliver a compelling story that is truly terrifying. The script feels unprepared and lacks the necessary depth to draw the viewer in, leaving them disconnected from the characters and their experiences. As a result, the horror elements of the movie fall flat, failing to elicit any real fear or suspense. I am myself not feeling it at all.

Ultimately, this movie is a disappointing example of a horror film that fails to deliver on its promises, leaving viewers feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. Waste my time.

Well, it was just a bad movie, wasn't it?

To start, as a random Muslim who ended up watching this film, I hope that non-Muslims or even young Muslims who aren't very well-read, are intelligent enough to understand that this is a poor depiction of Islamic schools and what goes on in (most of) them.

Moving on to the film itself, I believe after the opening which was decent, the people behind the film missed out on something that could've been done in a much better fashion. All of a sudden, you're thrown into a pool of suspense, without quite clearly understanding WHAT and WHY. The film does not do a very good job at explaining the story, and consequently, the plot ends up being all over the place. Also, there appeared to be two main characters, and I'm not quite sure what about their personalities would have made me root for either of them. Overall, it felt like a concoction of ideas, as if the writer or the director just thought he had a couple of brilliant notions that he just could not choose between, so might as well put them all together. A big mess.

Additionally, the make-up and little bit of CGI used were both awful. And what in the world was that dreadful "villain laugh" from the antagonist towards the end?

The one positive I can extract is that the cinematography was rather impressive. Oh, and the acting was actually pretty good, especially from the actors playing the two main girls.

In conclusion, would I watch this a second time? No. Do I recommend you to watch it a first time? No.

Risky choice taking Islam as a red treat of your movie. Unfortunately it doesn't pay off at all. The recitation of the holy Qu'ran feels of and taking place where the bible wpuld be mlre fitting.

It's very interesting to see Java, Indonesia take center stage. But the movie is trying to many things without having a solid script or well thought out screenplay. So with that good acting, decor and even an ok script kinda fall through.

The movie has too many story gaps and at one point implodes with trying to make the story comem around. Too much suspense after a very decent start without going anywhere.

Who should watch this: anyone interested in seeing a somewhat not totally terrible Indonesian horror flick. But truth said, no one on the planet will miss out for not watching this.