The Forbidden Door

While the climactic twist delivers its intended impact, I find that the film, in its entirety, lacks the depth I desired, ended up providing me a rather bland experience, that is too vanilla for my taste.

And this sentiment specifically stems from its conflicting writing choices. Themes explored are undoubtedly serious and carry significant weight, yet the film's somewhat incongruous lightheartedness diminishes the potency of its thematic substances.

Not only that, the element of shock & surprise is less, and the emotional connection seemed nearly absent.

I feel, a more darker, melancholic approach would have been beneficial for the narrative.

This movie is a perfectly executed thriller combining startling and grisly violence with mystery and a foreboding mood. A young artist finds himself drawn into a world of terror against his will and his life begins to unravel. This is a story of a cruel world and of living under the power of others.

The multi-part climax and ending could be described predictable, surprising, (Yes, both of those) as truly epic, and cryptic. I think I've figured what it was supposed to mean, though even had you left the theatre merely confused, you'll appreciate the craft and you will have been affected by the movie.

The acting and direction is top notch, and I can attest that the movie was foreboding even when interrupted by technical difficulties and projector problems as my theatre endured when the movie was screened. (Appropriately enough given the English title, our projector broke in two parts where the main character opened a door at a tense moment)

I would love to see more work by these people.

I cannot stand any movie which shows violence towards kids.

I saw this only cos of its director Joko Anwar but this one is a big disappointment.

There is no tension, no suspense n no atmosphere but just an annoying actor with his annoying hair.

It has some killings but that too towards the end.

Inspite of the movie being a bit dark, there is zero nudity n zero sex scene.

Revisiting John Cusack's Identity is a better option than this.

Big fan of Joko Anwar but now i think he is more of a hit n miss kinda director.

I didn't enjoy The Queen of Black Magic which Anwar didn't direct but he is the writer.

I was generous with his Impetigore which has unnecessary gore n squirmy stuff.

Loved his Gundala.

Enjoyed his Satan's Slaves n found it to be creepy, scary n very atmospheric.

Waiting for Satan's Slaves part 2.

As another breakthrough in thriller genre that has just grown in Indonesian cinema, Pintu Terlarang (Forbidden Door) goes far beyond the genre's boundaries. Based on the novel by Sekar Ayu Asmara, this psychological mind-thriller has re-shaped with Joko Anwar's very own absurdity. Here, that stylish Indonesian director, Joko Anwar, who brought us Janji Joni and the mesmerizing adventure fantasy, Kala, has once again takes his audience to another world and mind-bending dimension with his absurd way of storytelling, vintage-noir art direction and scores that make you fly with it.

The famous pregnant woman sculptor, Gambir (Fachri Albar) starts losing his world after getting strange same messages from an abused little boy. With everyone around suddenly act strange, his paranoia then leads the shocking findings that may opens the door to his deepest fears.

Beautifully shots, acted and wrapped, Joko leaves his audience wonders, questioning and even arguing every clues he used just like opening the encrypted codes to a secret files. A gory-ness disturbing scenes that comes without compromise, a complex plot that even screw your minds, high-style art directing, intense acting that put the highest credits to Fachri Albar, haunting atmosphere all over the movie, brilliant scores, comes along together as one must-see Indonesian movie of the decades. Just like one movie that could rolls puzzling through your minds, Pintu Terlarang/Forbidden Door is truly, beautifully disturbing and violently haunting. It's a one hell-ride of your life!

Like I say in my title above, this isn't really quite my type of film. I DO though very much like the David Lynch touches and mood which are created very well throughout. Technically, everything is expertly executed, and all the acting is excellent.

If you happen to like the intensity of movies like 'HOSTEL' or others of this nature, this will probably be right up your alley. For me personally, those kinds of films I just don't find entertaining, it's just not my thing. But, as I've stated in many of my reviews, just because I don't happen to find the story fully enjoyable, I can honestly say that for people that do like these kinds of movies, they will likely find it entertaining. It is made very well, AND truthfully, it is extremely effective in what the filmmakers are trying to do. There is absolutely NO doubt about that 😊

So, this is one of those very rare cases where, even though I didn't exactly 'enjoy' all aspects of it, I felt the film was conceived and made really well and most definitely created a very foreboding and disturbing atmosphere. For example, without giving anything away, when the main protagonist is feeling anguish and disgust, you most definitely will feel it too, which means the movie is accomplishing precisely what it is supposed to do. Just for me personally, I found it a tad too dark and disturbing in some areas and it just doesn't quite fit my idea of a 'Fun' movie. But, the film is so effectively made, for those who do like their intensity levels quite high, this will probably be the kind of movie for you.