KUYANG (2024) on Netflix is an Indonesian Horror Movie with a supernatural plot – like always. It’s not bad thanks to its eerie and creepy vibe, but it probably won’t be for everyone. Read our Kuyang horror movie review here!
KUYANG (2024) on Netflix is an Indonesian horror movie with the full original title Kuyang: Sekuta Iblis Yang Selalu Mengintai. The style of Indonesian horror won’t be for everyone. With the exception of most Joko Anwar productions, it isn’t my favorite style either.
Where J-Horror (Japanese horror movies) tend to have a girl with long black hair covering her face, Indonesian horror seems to have floating heads. It’s a cultural difference that doesn’t have the same impact on the rest of the world. The runtime of 97 minutes is fairly good though.
Continue reading our Kuyang horror movie review below. Find it on Netflix from July 11, 2024.
Floating heads and remote islands
In Kuyang, we meet a young couple as they make a temporary move to a remote village for work. It’s required for the husband in order to continue working as a civil servant. However, as they arrive on the island, it’s clear that something is off.
Very off!
From the long drive to the boat that will take them there, the wife starts seeing a floating head outside the car window. The head of a woman who starts screaming right next to her face. Then – after a two-hour “cruise” in a small boat – they arrive on the island.
Demons, superstitions, and curses
The remote island may only house a fairly small number of people in its village, but they still have a school. A school with only seven students, but still. Also, the village has a Shaman.
Her name is Mina Uwe (Putri Ayudya) and she’s around the same age as the young wife, Sri (Alyssa Abidin), so she feels fairly comfortable with her. This is a good thing as the married couple will soon find themselves hunted by a supernatural entity.
The kind of entity that wants to claim their unborn child. The husband, Bimo (Dimas Aditya), tries to protect his wife and unborn child, but it’s an uphill battle.
Watch Kuyang on Netflix now!
The director of this new Indonesian horror movie is Yongki Ongestu, who also has the job of cinematographer. The writers are Achmad Benbela and Alim Sudio. The recently released Monster (2024) was also written by Alim Sudio – though based on another movie.
I have seen my fair share of Indonesian horror movies over the years, and most of them tend to have a supernatural plot. That’s fine with me, but the CGI of floating heads really doesn’t do much for me.
Sure, the timing of the scares can be good, but that’s the split-second reaction and it rarely works more than once or twice. I don’t want to judge a movie based on its effects, but at the same time, I can’t ignore how it makes the movie less scary for me. Maybe it will work better for you?!
Kuyang (2024) is out on Netflix from July 11, 2024.
Details
Director: Yongki Ongestu
Writers: Achmad Benbela, Alim Sudio
Stars: Dimas Aditya, Alyssa Abidin, Putri Ayudya, Elly D. Luthan, Egy Fedly, Totos Rasiti, Luthfi Triadi, Andri Mashadi
Plot
A couple moves to a remote village for work only to find themselves hunted by a supernatural entity out to claim their unborn child.
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