isnanfitri

In Vina: Before 7 Days, the grim reality of a true crime story from Indonesia is brought to the screen with a chilling blend of horror and tragedy. The film begins with the unsettling discovery of two bodies by the roadside, initially presumed to be victims of a traffic accident. The deceased are Vina, a 16-year-old girl, and her friend Eky. However, the horrific state of Vina's body quickly casts doubt on the accident theory. Witnesses report her body being mutilated beyond recognition, with unnatural cuts and broken limbs that suggest a more sinister cause of death.

Vina's family, unable to accept the official narrative, becomes haunted by the incongruities surrounding her demise. Their grief and suspicion drive the story forward, as they notice the unnatural injuries on her body-cuts and breaks inconsistent with those from a typical vehicle accident.

As a Malaysian unfamiliar with this case that shook Indonesia, I found myself deeply disturbed by the fact that these events are based on true stories. The climax of the film, occurring on the sixth day after Vina's death, involves a possession that reveals the horrifying truth. Linda, Vina's friend, becomes possessed by Vina's spirit, providing a conduit for the deceased to communicate and unravel the mystery surrounding her death.

The inclusion of real recordings of Vina's spirit allegedly possessing Linda at the end of the film adds a layer of authenticity and discomfort, reminding the audience that these events, as sensational as they seem, are rooted in reality. This element is particularly disturbing, as it underscores the fact that such tragic and violent events have real-life counterparts.

The retelling of this story is notably commercial, designed to be easily understood by a wide audience. The filmmakers have managed to balance the need for mass appeal with the seriousness of the subject matter, creating a narrative that is both accessible and profoundly impactful. The ghostly apparitions and jump scares predominantly target the antagonist, symbolizing his overwhelming guilt and internal torment. These moments serve not merely to frighten but to underscore the psychological horror of living with one's misdeeds.

By dramatizing these events, Vina: Before 7 Days rekindles public interest in finding the true perpetrators, urging viewers to look beyond the surface and question deeper truths. It serves as a poignant reminder of the pain and suffering behind real-life tragedies, compelling us to seek justice and truth.

In conclusion, Vina: Before 7 Days is more than just a horror film; it is a sobering reflection on the nature of violence, justice, and the human capacity for both cruelty and resilience. As we are drawn into Vina's tragic story, we are reminded of the real lives impacted by such events. May Vina's soul find peace, and may the truth, however elusive, eventually come to light.

Alex Garland's "Civil War" is not merely a dystopian thriller but a profound and unsettling examination of humanity under the direst of circumstances. This 2024 film, written and directed by Garland, follows a team of war journalists journeying from New York City to Washington, D. C. during a fictional civil war in the United States. Their mission to interview the President before rebels capture the capital city serves as the spine of a narrative rich in tragedy, human frailty, and resilience.

At its core, "Civil War" is a road movie. Each stop along the journalists' perilous journey reveals a new layer of tragedy and human suffering, painting a vivid picture of a nation torn apart. The characters confront the raw edges of humanity, embodying the duality of being both "scared and alive at the same time," as poignantly expressed by one character. This line encapsulates the essence of Garland's film: the simultaneous terror and vitality that war evokes.

Among the ensemble cast, two performances stand out, bringing depth and authenticity to the film's philosophical musings. Jessie, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny, evolves from a rookie photographer into a courageous figure hardened by the unfolding tragedies. Her character arc is a journey of maturation, where innocence is stripped away to reveal a core of bravery and determination. Spaeny's portrayal is nuanced, capturing the transformation with subtlety and power.

Kirsten Dunst delivers a stellar performance as a jaded war photographer. Her character, cloaked in a hard facade, embodies the scars of past conflicts. Dunst's portrayal is both compelling and heartbreaking, offering a stark contrast to Spaeny's Jessie. The interplay between these two characters underscores the diverse ways individuals cope with the horrors of war, highlighting the complex tapestry of human responses to trauma.

The film's imagery speaks volumes about the hypothetical scenarios of war. Garland uses his visual storytelling to pose a poignant "what-if" scenario, compelling the audience to consider the possibility of such devastation on American soil. This speculative lens is a powerful reminder of the fragile veneer of peace and order that can easily be shattered, mirroring the real-world conflicts that have ravaged other nations.

In "Civil War," there are no victors, only survivors grappling with the aftermath. Garland's narrative reinforces the notion that war yields no winners, a theme underscored by the film's unflinching portrayal of violence. The gore is not gratuitous; rather, it serves as a solid and necessary component of the story, grounding the film in the brutal realities of conflict.

The performances across the cast are uniformly solid, each actor bringing a level of gravitas that enhances the film's philosophical depth. Their collective efforts create a tapestry of stories that reflect the broader societal collapse and individual struggles within it.

"Civil War" is a significant cinematic achievement that challenges viewers to reflect on the precariousness of peace and the inherent brutality of war. Through its compelling performances, powerful imagery, and philosophical depth, Alex Garland has crafted a film that resonates deeply with contemporary anxieties, offering a sobering look at what might be if the societal fabric were to unravel. This film is a testament to the enduring complexity and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

In the bleak and unforgiving near future, "Arcadian" presents a vision of Earth on the brink of extinction. Directed by an emerging auteur, this film promises a contemplative dive into survival and the human condition. Unfortunately, it falls short of its potential, leaving viewers with more questions than answers, both philosophically and narratively.

The film follows Paul (Nicholas Cage) and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, who inhabit a world divided starkly between the deceptive tranquility of day and the brutal chaos of night. The premise itself is rich with metaphorical possibilities - day as a fleeting illusion of peace, night as the inevitable confrontation with our deepest fears. However, the characters populating this world fail to fully engage or evoke sympathy.

Paul's portrayal by Cage is disappointingly one-dimensional. Known for his ability to delve into the complex psyches of his characters, Cage is regrettably underutilized here. His portrayal of a desperate father feels half-baked, a missed opportunity to explore the nuances of a man on the edge, grappling with the terror of losing his children to the night.

Thomas and Joseph, the two sons who should be the emotional core of the story, are similarly underdeveloped. The film skirts around the potential to deeply explore their psychological states. How do they cope with the constant threat of death? How do their experiences shape their evolving identities? These questions remain frustratingly unaddressed, rendering their journey less impactful.

One particularly puzzling aspect is the portrayal of Rose's family. Their reluctance to take in the injured Paul is understandable in a world where trust is a luxury, yet their willingness to let Thomas work on their farm contradicts this caution. This inconsistency undermines the narrative, leaving viewers to question the motivations behind such selective protectionism.

"Arcadian" starts off strongly, with a tense atmosphere and a palpable sense of dread. The initial acts hold promise, drawing the audience into the perilous existence of its protagonists. However, the film falters as it progresses. The second and third acts, where the creatures are revealed in all their grotesque detail, lose the subtlety that makes horror truly haunting. The vivid depiction of these nightmarish beings strips away the fear of the unknown, replacing it with a more mundane and less terrifying spectacle.

Despite its flaws, "Arcadian" has the potential to be a compelling horror movie. Its premise is intriguing, and the world it builds is ripe for deeper exploration. The film could have benefited from a more focused narrative, delving into the psychological complexities of its characters and maintaining an air of mystery around its antagonists.

Overall, "Arcadian" is a film that aspires to profound horror and existential reflection but stumbles in its execution. It offers glimpses of brilliance, yet fails to fully realize its potential. For a movie that aims to be a philosophical treatise on survival and fear, it leaves much to be desired in both depth and coherence.