Netflix has come out with another Indonesian horror movie that will surely catch people’s fancy. The Corpse Washer, or Pemandi Jenazah, is a 2024 movie with a runtime of 107 minutes that will surely leave viewers shocked!
-
Director
Hadrah Daeng Ratu
-
Writer
Lele Laila
-
Cast
Aghniny Haque, Djenar Maesa Ayu, Ibrahim Risyad, Amara Sophie, Deni Saputra, Ruth Marini, Mian Tiara, Vonny Anggraini, Riafinola Ifani Sari, Muhammad Nur Qomaruddin, Petrus Aji Santosa, Nelly Sukma, Messi Gusti, Hifdzi Khoir
When Lela’s mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is left to continue the family business of corpse washing, starting with her mother. However, mysterious deaths start to take place all over the village following her own tragedy and it is up to Lela, who has the ability to see the future, to put an end to the curse that haunts all of them.
The Corpse Washer movie, much like others in the genre, is a generic blend of jumpscares and religion. Viewers who are familiar with Indonesian horror might be able to guess what is about to happen in any upcoming scene because the movie doesn’t try to do anything other than what is familiar and formulaic. It’s this formula that’s what takes away the mystery element from the first instance of the runtime and leaves viewers feeling rather bored after a while.
When the movie first starts, the cinematography creates a chilling atmosphere and the darkness all around makes us fear for Lela and her future. However, the more we move towards the ending, the more that atmosphere starts to unravel and leaves us feeling unsatisfied because the movie isn’t able to give us a plot that is at par with the atmosphere. Some jumpscares are thrilling and take you by surprise but the plot progression leaves much to be desired and thus the movie isn’t able to hold on to its thrill beyond the jumpscares.
Also Read: Loved Mallari? Watch these 6 Horror Dramas Next That Won’t Let You Sleep!
I must say that The Corpse Washer is better than a lot of other movies I have seen over the past couple of months and there’s a general feeling of discomfort throughout its runtime. It doesn’t become totally thoughtless or silly like other films, which is what saves it in the end. The amalgamation of religion and superstition makes for a good chunk of the mystery and thrill and will leave anyone engrossed because of the different elements. Although there are cliches here as well, it still tries to be somewhat creative with the jumpscares, which the movie has a lot of.
I think Lela is a relatable protagonist who is not overly scared nor confident in her abilities. She’s the right amount of terrified, which anyone would be in her shoes, but still tries to do her best to find out what is happening to the women in the village. Plus, the movie is so surprisingly gory that it makes you do a double-take – the kills are pretty good and make for watching something a little different. In the end, however, the movie does fall into a repetitive trap and drags out quite a bit, making you want to skip through to the end.
The Corpse Washer Movie Review: Final Thoughts
The Corpse Washer movie Netflix has moments that win but it plays on its cliches and repetitive nature of the horror genre and in spite of trying to do something gory, the repetitive jumpscares become boring and the story progression stagnates a lot. The film could’ve made a better impact if it had a shorter runtime, delivering on the thrills and chills faster instead of doing the same thing over and over again, just packaged differently every time.
Also Read: My Lady Jane Review: Fantasy Romance Series is Delightfully Entertaining
Good review, I agree, formulaic
Must every movie in the genre have people wearing white contact lenses?
In Indonesian horror? Yes. 😛