Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul

After the success of Danur Universe and the box office record-breaking film "KKN di Desa Penari", it seems that Awi Suryadi has established himself as one of the promising horror film directors in Indonesia. Through Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul, Awi presents a back and forth narrative that is neatly woven through the main character who has retrocognitive abilities. This film provides enough horror, jump scares and gore but still provides adequate storytelling. A big applause was also given to the production value, music score and set design, not to mention the make up for the Pocong itself, which was very convincing and neat. "Pocong Gundul" successfully opened a new horror universe which seems to be increasingly popular recently.

I didn't expect much when I'm watching Indonesian horror movies. Mostly it's about series jump scares. But to my surprise, this film brings lots of values to enrich the story.

It's about a boy with hereditary retrocognitive ability which at first, he and his friend tried to commercialize the ability. But when a couple tried to find their missing girl and he succeeded finding her, layers of mysteries revealed as he succumbed an entity that haunted a school.

This brings him to a life threatening endeavor with the help of his friend. More characters showed up and give more complexities to the problem.

Good story telling, decent acting (not great, but not bad), good cinematography. Overall, a good movie.

One flaw I found is the ending. It feels a little rushed.

Hao, a young man seemingly from Yogyakarta, helps search for a girl who's been missing from her school for two days. He possesses a retrocognition ability - a kind of psychic power that lets him revisit past events to investigate what happened. Using this gift, Hao faces an unusual trial: confronting a menacing entity called Pocong Gundul.

The film opens with a ritualistic scene deep in the forest. Several men perform a shamanic rite under large banyan trees, chanting mantras around a wrapped corpse - a shrouded body with a bald head, foreshadowing the Pocong Gundul.

The story then shifts to an old man and his grandson - young Hao. The grandfather passes down an ancient lontar leaf inscribed with spells, the source of Hao's retrocognitive power. After the old man uses it, he mysteriously dies, suggesting a dangerous force attached to time-traveling into the past.

A smooth transition shows young Hao grown into an adult, still wearing glasses just like his grandfather - a subtle symbol of their shared gift. Hao now gives seminars on his ability. After one talk, a desperate couple approaches him, begging for help to find their missing daughter. Hao, for the first time, agrees to help.

While performing retrocognition at the school, Hao learns that the missing girl's case is tied to a demonic entity clad in a white shroud - the Pocong Gundul, the main villain haunting Hao throughout his search.

Essentially, the story follows Hao's journey, aided by his childhood friend Rida - a lively, outspoken counterpart to Hao's calm demeanor. Beneath the horror elements, there's a bittersweet undertone: an unspoken, shy affection between Hao and Rida, expressed through subtle gestures and banter.

So, how does this film hold up? Plot-wise, it's decent - not terrible but not exactly outstanding either. It's enough to keep you following Hao's adventure.

On performances: the cast does an okay job overall, though a few scenes feel awkward or a bit overacted. Iwa K, playing Pocong Gundul, delivers a decent performance - the character feels attached to him. Hao and Rida are fine - not mind-blowing, but serviceable.

The film's strongest point, in my opinion, is its cinematography. The lighting is solid, and many shots are aesthetically pleasing - it feels like a warm horror film, with a color tone that's not harsh on the eyes.

There's a clear subtext about Hao's trauma - losing his grandfather to retrocognition is a shadow that haunts him throughout.

I should note: I'm writing this review purely from my viewing experience - I haven't read or researched the real Kisah Tanah Jawa stories or Hao's accounts in real life. This is purely my take on the film as a stand-alone piece.

Now for the plot holes: there are a few glaring ones. For example, Hao's grandfather, Saman, dies after being poisoned by Pocong Gundul's venom - but why didn't Hao and Rida face the same attack? It feels inconsistent and illogical.

Another head-scratcher is the missing girl: how was she alone in a sewing room at school at night? And where were the teachers, night guards, or anyone? The school was unrealistically deserted.

One more narrative miss: during Grandpa Saman's arc, he's revealed as an ex-member of the Pocong Gundul cult - supposedly an outcast in his village. It would have been better if Hao and Rida had asked locals about him, showing their disgust or hostility. This would have made Saman's redemption more meaningful.

Finally, the ending: Hao and Rida find the missing girl and reunite her with her parents - but they receive no payment or gratitude beyond thanks. Realistically, how could her parents not even offer a reward? Hao has to eat, so does Rida - it's almost comical!

In the end, Hao decides not to move away, realizing that many people in his Javanese hometown still need his help. The story closes on that note. Overall, Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul is enjoyable enough - especially for its visuals. My only gripe: Pocong Gundul looks more like a zombie or monster than a truly terrifying spirit. The fear is there, but more in a monster-horror sense than chilling supernatural dread.

All in all, the film flows decently and is worth a watch for folk horror fans curious about local Indonesian myths.

Final Rating: 50/100, 2.5/5.0.

Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul delivers a creepy atmosphere that really draws you into the world of Javanese folklore. The visuals are pretty striking, and the way they use sound to build tension works well, keeping you on edge for most of the movie. The setting, especially the Javanese landscapes, feels authentic and adds to the supernatural vibe of the story. That said, the plot can feel a bit all over the place at times. Some scenes don't get the buildup they need, so they come off as rushed or incomplete. Also, the characters don't really get much development, so it's hard to fully invest in what happens to them. Plus, some of the scares feel like things we've seen before, which can make the horror a bit less effective as the movie goes on. Overall, though, if you're into Indonesian folklore and enjoy supernatural horror, Kisah Tanah Jawa is still worth a watch. It's spooky enough to keep you entertained, even if it has a few bumps along the way.

Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul is an Indonesian horror film based on a legendary urban myth, offering a gripping and eerie experience. This film is particularly appealing to horror enthusiasts who enjoy supernatural themes and mystical storytelling.

One of its strongest aspects is the haunting atmosphere, enhanced by well-crafted cinematography and an immersive sound design that intensifies the tension. The dark and shadowy visuals effectively amplify the fear factor, making the audience feel as if they are part of this terrifying world.

The performances from the cast are solid, successfully building suspense throughout the film, although some dialogues feel slightly unnatural. The storyline is intriguing, with a mystery that keeps viewers engaged. However, certain parts of the film progress at a slower pace, and some of the jumpscares are somewhat predictable.

The visual effects contribute well to the film's eerie ambiance. Several scenes manage to evoke fear without solely relying on jumpscares, which is a commendable approach.

Overall, Kisah Tanah Jawa: Pocong Gundul is a decent horror film that effectively creates a suspenseful atmosphere while delivering an engaging story. Despite some flaws in pacing and jumpscare execution, it remains an enjoyable watch for fans of Indonesian horror.