Badarawuhi di Desa Penari

This 2024 film "Dancing Village: The Curse Begins (Badarawuhi di Desa Penari)" directed by Kimo Stamboel explores Indonesian supernatural beliefs. It's a slow burn but really tries to implode human emotions through despair and dancing.

It's story originality based on dance traditions with life/death deities and sorcery. The actors really deliver strong performances of young people trying to rationalize logic to what is a curse. It follows a 2022 KKN di Desa Penari" film, some similar ideas sourced in folklore.

The story focuses on two young women (Rathil and Mila) with mothers in terrible state of physical and mental illness. They aren't understanding what's happening, they dealing with the supernatural, things can't be undone.

The film enters through their struggling between earthy and spiritual realms. A realm controlled by a supernatural tormenter and soul taker: Badarawuhi which played beautifully by Aulia Sarah.

In some ways, it reminds one of the 1977 (and 2018 remake) film Suspiria. Modern ballet ancing on those films play with witchcraft and self-destruction, centered on women.

In this case solely based on Indonesian folk dancing, it's surreal scenes are of interest. There's no excessive gore scenes nor jump scares but still deliver a creepy vibe.

The scenes of dancing and sorcery are done well, as the beautiful dance moves become acts of evil. Again, it's slow but delivers toward the story ending. It also marks that Indonesian horror genre can be smart and elusive.

Past 80s/90s Indonesian horror unfortunately has been seen as campy, championed by a mostly cult film audiences. Although the recent reboot of "VHS" found footage enlisted Indonesian director and actors within the horror genre.

This particular film will definitely challenges old tropes on South Asian horror genre. Film's cinematography is excellent and inviting. Mostly set in rural landscapes and sound effects are superb.

I found this movie to be mostly decent for the most part. The story feels complicated, and i didn't know what was going on in this movie. So, the actual plot is this girl going to the village to find answers to her mother mysterious illness and learn about this traditional dance. It's interesting to learn about what the dance is about and how it's important to the village. She also encounters a supernatural called Badarawuhi, who gives an eerie vibe when she shows up and what she's doing here in the first place. The movie itself is pretty slow, with scenes that feel like it is dragging on too long and strange stuff happening throughout. Also, the movie isn't scary at all because nothing too extreme happens in the movie and is easily predictable when it shows up. The climax itself is something different, but it isn't that suspenseful at all. And the movie has a rushed ending.

Mila and her group of cousins are determined to uncover the truth behind her mother's mysterious illness. Their quest leads them to the enigmatic Dancing Village (Desa Penari), where they unravel a series of secrets, piece by piece, including the existence of the dreaded entity known as Badarawuhi.

The film unfolds as a slow-burn horror, with the second half proving more compelling than the first. While some scenes may feel repetitive, reminiscent of "KKN di Desa Penari," the focus is primarily on the gradual revelation of secrets between Badarawuhi and the village.

Although the second act is commendable for its chilling and eerie horror, certain parts of the movie may drag, yet they are integral to the plot's development. Despite the predominantly visual storytelling, viewers may still find themselves questioning certain aspects of the film.

The technical prowess of the film, particularly in editing and transitioning between scenes, deserves appreciation for its clean execution. The eerie atmosphere effectively complements the movie's theme.

While "KKN di Desa Penari" may be preferred for its realism and tragic elements, some viewers may feel a stronger connection to the characters and their personal development. The lack of a direct link between the two films, despite being a prequel, may leave some audiences wanting more coherence.

Nevertheless, "Badarawuhi Di Desa Penari" offers an engaging weekend watch, particularly for horror enthusiasts.

It's been a while I have written a review on here, since I do that on my own website. But this time I had to.

People have been calling this gripping and spine-chilling. There isn't a single event in this film that even came close to this. Director Kimo Stamboel is capable of building up tension and dread. Only in this film, this replaced with empty symbolism and boredom. Badarawuhi, a snake demon, clearly is intended to be scary and intimidating. She might be the latter because of her portrayal by Aulia Sarah. She tries her hardest. If only this was backed up by terror.

There is hardly any terror. The few events that are supposed to signify this are laughable at best. Sure, there are some gross and gory scenes, but they hardly have any effect. Then the finale is like one big joke. I think I was supposed to be creeped out by the menacing dancers. I mean, it could have been done, had these dances been backed up elements that actually made these dances unique and terrifying. But this is not the case one bit. It felt like a rip-off from Suspiria (2018) which also was a joke.

But the absolute part that made me lose interest quite fast is the pacing. There is very little story and substance in the first place. Maybe enough for a 5-minute short. But this is stretched out over 2 hours. You can imagine how slow this feels.

Overall, this is far from the opposite what the majority of the reviewers have been claiming. And don't get me wrong. I wished what they said was true. But to have me sit through this and make me waste my time in this fashion I find criminal. So yeah, don't believe the high rating, this is terrible!

This is an Indonasian movie and I must say its a very good movie.

I just started watching this movie without knowing much around its baseline or origin country. But as I started watching it catches me.

I liked the theme and direction. Later I searched and find this is based on true story told/experienced by some students of or around same village. I also found this movie is prequel of "KKN di Desa Penari".

Now I will watch that movie as well.

Acting: very good by the central character and good by other supporting characters Direction: really very good

I was not expecting much from this movie but I must say this is a good movie.