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Synopsis: A young girl, kidnapped and taken to an isolated house, bravely sets out to free her friend and escape from their sinister captor.
Film: Monster
Director: Rako Prijanto
Writer: Alim Sudio
Featuring: Marsha Timothy, Alex Abbad, Anantya Rezky Kirana, Sulthan Hamonangan
This Indonesian horror film centers on friends Alana and Rabin, who, after a fun outing at the arcades, are abruptly kidnapped and taken to a mysterious location. Alana quickly frees herself and is determined to rescue her friend from the impending doom.
In recent years, horror films with minimal dialogue have gained popularity, with titles like Hush and the A Quiet Place series resonating well with viewers. However, Monster goes further, featuring almost no dialogue beyond the occasional grunts and screams. Despite its daring approach of being filmed in a single setting with few characters, the risk taken by director Rako Prijanto unfortunately does not fully succeed.
The movie effectively evokes a menacing atmosphere, and Ramondo Gascaro’s score heightens the tension significantly. The narrative is predominantly experienced through Alana’s perspective, which adds an intriguing layer and fosters a bond with the protagonist.
Anantya Kirana, portraying Alana, is a standout performer, shining brightly throughout the film. To carry a cinematic piece so largely at a young age is quite an accomplishment.
However, the story’s premise stretches believability; the audience is asked to accept that a child could not just escape but also overpower two adults. The clever traps and strategies she devises evoke comparisons to a horror-themed Home Alone.
Despite having a runtime of only 80 minutes, it feels much longer, primarily due to the sparse dialogue that leaves the story feeling diluted and padded with unnecessary scenes. Nevertheless, one must commend the director’s creative ambition.
It’s disappointing because I had high hopes for this film, with all the essential components hinting at a potentially exceptional horror/thriller. Ultimately, it feels too familiar and typical, closely resembling other abduction narratives.
Review by Zoe
