Janji Darah – Movie Review | Netflix (2/5)

JANJI DARAH on Netflix is a new Horror Movie from Indonesia. While the story is good, the pace is too slow. The title means “blood promise” and is a key plot element. Read our full Janji Darah movie review here!

JANJI DARAH is a new Indonesian Horror Movie on Netflix. The core plot of this movie is simple and works well, but the pace of certain scenes results in a soapy vibe. You know, the scenes where we linger on characters just staring into blank space, but no one is speaking or taking action.

Had these scenes been cut back, the pace would’ve been strong and the runtime better. With a runtime of over 100 minutes (1 hour and 44 minutes), the movie is too long.

Continue reading our Janji Darah movie review below. Find it on Netflix from November 1, 2024.

A blood promise made in childhood

The title of Janji Darah means “blood promise” and is a key plot element. It won’t be obvious exactly in what way until the third act, but I think most viewers will be able to guess certain details ahead of time. Enough clues are given.

In the movie, we follow a married couple, Rayhan and Sheren, as they are expecting their first child. Getting pregnant has been an uphill battle, but now things are finally going as they dreamed of.

However, the husband and wife will soon experience a terrible mystical terror. Yes, of a definitively paranormal type, and it seems to threaten the safety of their unborn child.

We will come to learn that it’s connected to Rayhan’s past story with his cousin, Dinda. The two cousins have a sixth sense and experienced paranormal events together in childhood. This was when they made their blood promise.

But is Rayhan ready to deliver on this pact? And what will happen if he doesn’t?!

“Irma, are you possessed?”

We’ve reviewed quite a few horror movies and other genre productions from Indonesia, and they always feature impressive production quality and can be really good.

Check out anything from Joko Anwar or the recent Netflix release Temurun.

What they can sometimes lack is a pace and vibe that suits Western audiences. Not to say they should make movies for us, but finding a sweet spot that works internationally is usually the key to success for these movies on Netflix.

And the core story of Janji Darah is good. The pace is simply too slow, or at the very least feels off. This, in turn, makes the story come across as weaker. However, it does have a few funny moments that help you stay connected.

Like when a woman has clearly been possessed and the men around ask her point blank “Irma, are you possessed?” as if they expect an answer. That’s like calling out “Hallo, is anyone there?!” while a killer is on the loose and something goes bump in the night.

Do you really expect an answer? Also, do you want to hear the answer?!

Watch Janji Darah on Netflix now

The director of Janji Darah is Sentot Sahid, who was an editor on Monster, which is a Netflix production. It’s also a remake of a US movie (The Boy Behind the Door on Shudder). This is his third time directing.

As mentioned earlier, the story is good, it’s the execution (especially the pace) that didn’t work as well for me. The writers of Janji Darah are Jujur Prananto, Sentot Sahid, and Rissa Putri.

If you’ve watched some of the good Indonesian horror or thriller Netflix movies, then you’ll recognize Kiki Narendra. He was in several Joko Anwar movies (including Impetigore) and the Netflix movie Borderless Fog.

In this new Netflix addition, Kiki Narendra plays a fairly small role as someone meant to “cleanse” away the spirit. He isn’t very successful, which you’ll know from the fact that he shows up within the first act.

If you’re ready for a movie that goes slow (too slow at times) and can endure it for a good story, you can check out Janji Darah on Netflix now.

Janji Darah is out on Netflix on November 1, 2024.

Details

Director: Sentot Sahid
Writers: Jujur Prananto, Sentot Sahid, Rissa Putri
Stars: Emir Mahira, Natasha Wilona, Fergie Brittany, Luna Shabrina, Djenar Maesa Ayu, Kiki Narendra