Pabrik Gula

While the Indonesian horror movie industries rising through the year, one after another Javanese horror movies popped. Pabrik Gula wasn't a horror movie based on true story. Javanese local still believes in superstition, hence makes this movie filled with ritual and custom scenes. The visual effect wasn't that all out, but still makes the scenes better. Their ghost make up also good.

Sugar factory is kkn in the village of dancers but only different title and different setting place, this film has a trash plot but it is replaced by the music scoring and cinematography that spoils the eye but that does not guarantee that this film will be a good film, to hell with the character development everything is bland in this film, the jumpscare does not occasionally make me surprised and is just ordinary, maybe this is the 2nd worst film on Eid yesterday. I don't know what the writer of the story in this film was thinking, the purpose of this film is only money milking but this is still better than most trashy horror films in Indonesia, maybe I think this film can still be enjoyed by ordinary people and so on but this is not a quality horror film.

Honestly, I went in expecting just another horror movie full of cheap jumpscares and loud noises-but Pabrik Gula really surprised me in the best way. Yes, it's creepy, and yes, there are some tense moments, but the real horror lies beneath the surface. It's the kind of fear that lingers, not just because of what you see, but because of what the story makes you feel.

The atmosphere is incredibly well done-the abandoned sugar factory feels like a character on its own. The visuals are eerie without trying too hard, and there's this unsettling silence in some scenes that hits harder than any scream. The pacing is slow-burn but in a good way-it gives you time to absorb the emotions and the growing tension.

The mystery unfolds piece by piece, and I found myself genuinely curious about what happened in the past, not just waiting for the next scare. The emotional weight behind the story makes it feel more personal, like there's a hidden pain that's finally being revealed.

Arbani Yasiz and Ersya Aurelia deliver performances that feel grounded and believable-they're not just reacting to ghosts, they're dealing with fear, guilt, and things left unsaid. That made the experience feel much more human and real.

It's definitely more psychological and emotional than your usual horror flick. If you're looking for a horror film that does more than just make you jump, Pabrik Gula is worth your time. The ending left me chilled, thoughtful, and honestly... a little haunted. In a good way.

"Pabrik Gula" is one of the latest local horror films that successfully proves that the horror genre does not always have to rely on cheap jump scares. Set in an old factory that has long been abandoned, this movie presents a consistent tense atmosphere, built slowly but effectively. From start to finish, "Pabrik Gula" provides a spine-tingling viewing experience, but at the same time offers a depth of story that we rarely find in other horror films.

Since the first minute, the gloomy atmosphere has begun to sink in. The camera moves slowly through the dusty old building, revealing rusty machines and long hallways that seem to hold dark secrets. The factory setting is not just a setting, but a character in itself-a living, threatening entity. The director smartly builds tension not with loud noises or sudden surprises, but with silence, with faint shadows in the corner of the eye, and with the feeling that something terrible is always lurking just out of sight.

The story of "Sugar Factory" centers on a group of characters who have an emotional connection to the factory-be it family, local history, or unresolved guilt. This makes the movie more than just an ordinary ghost story. There is a strong layer of emotion behind all the terror, giving added weight to every fear the characters feel. We're not just scared because there's something creepy on the screen; we're scared because we care about the fate of the characters.

The acting of the cast deserves great praise. They manage to bring their fears to the screen in such a natural way that we are dragged into it. When the main characters start experiencing strange occurrences - shadows that move on their own, whispers in empty hallways, and terrifying apparitions - their emotions feel very real. There is no overacting; all the fear, panic, and desperation are portrayed with the right intensity.

The cinematography in "Sugar Factory" is one of its most striking strengths. Every corner of the factory is captured beautifully yet eerily. The play of light and shadow is masterfully done, creating a constant sense of anxiety that never really subsides. The factory itself feels alive, as if it's breathing, lurking, and waiting for the right moment to pounce. The use of faded colors and dark filters further emphasizes the gloomy atmosphere that wraps the entire film.

The sound in this movie also deserves a thumbs up. Instead of using loud music and excessive sound effects, "Sugar Factory" chooses to play with silence, horrifying mechanical sounds, and faint whispers that make the audience feel uncomfortable. It's a clever form of sound design, which really adds an extra layer of suspense.

The story itself is also strong. It doesn't just rely on ghosts or creepy creatures as a source of fear, but also brings up themes about human greed, past sins, and the price to pay for betrayal. There is a moral message tucked away, but it is delivered subtly without feeling patronizing. The ending of the movie is also satisfying-open enough to let the audience think, but also clear enough to give a sense of completion.

Overall, "Sugar Factory" is an excellent example of how a horror movie can blend emotional storytelling, gripping atmosphere, and psychological terror into a memorable whole. It's a movie that not only makes us scream in fear, but also leaves us pondering long after the screen has gone dark.

For true horror lovers, "Sugar Factory" is an experience not to be missed. It is a movie that will stay in your mind long after you leave the theater. And for Indonesian cinema, it is proof that we are capable of producing quality, evocative, horror films that we can be proud of.

For one liner: a good cinematography ruined by bad storyline. I don't know how the scriptwriters wrote the plot (maybe the production house was controlling the creative too much, or just simply they spent too much budget on the artistic points), but even for someone who is too coward to watch horror movies like me, I get annoyed by the storyline.

I did not expect that much before watching this movie, but the storyline seemed getting worse and worse until the end. But the cinematography was good. And the comedy brought by the stand-up comedians was natural and on-point.

Well, just go to the cheaper cinema, laugh a bit and enjoy the too-many jumpscares, to get a good value for your ticket.