Monster Review: This Indonesian Flick Delivers Thrills and Chills on the Surface Level

Monster Review: Helmed by Rako Prijanto and penned by Alim Sudio, this Indonesian film, produced by Frederica, draws its inspiration from The Boy Behind The Door. Anchored by a talented cast including Anantya Kirana as Alana, Sultan Hamonangan as Rabin, Alex Abbad as Jack, alongside Marsha Timothy and more, this Netflix horror flick boasts a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.

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-Monster Review Contains No Spoiler-

Monster Review

Netflix’s Monster promised an intriguing blend of horror and thriller elements, underscored by a unique stylistic choice where characters are restricted from speaking. The trailer and premise suggested a deep dive into the monstrous behaviours of humans, positioning the film as a great escapism show. However, the film only manages to scratch the surface of these themes, ultimately leaving much to be desired.

The primary gimmick in this movie is the near-total absence of dialogue. Characters can speak, but are only permitted to call out each other’s names. This restraint is maintained throughout the film, where characters communicate through screams, breathless grunts, and intense scowls, even in life-or-death situations where verbal communication would be crucial. This unique approach adds an interesting layer of tension, compelling viewers to grip the edge of their seats, eager to see what unfolds next and how the protagonist will manage to escape.

In the haunting cinematic journey titled Monster, the film’s young protagonist, Alana, portrayed with stirring depth by the prodigious 13-year-old talent, Anantya Kirana, emerges as the narrative’s undeniable linchpin. The gripping tale unfurls with a gut-wrenching sequence as Alana and her companion Rabin are forcibly snatched from the sanctuary of their school and thrust into the chilling confines of a secluded house ensconced deep within the foreboding woods. While Rabin languishes in captivity, confined to an upper room in chains, Alana’s indomitable spirit propels her on a harrowing odyssey of survival.

Amidst the oppressive atmosphere of dread and despair, Alana’s tenacity leads her to uncover the harrowing truth of their captor’s depraved machinations. Within the grim confines of the house, Alana is confronted with a veritable chamber of horrors, where the sinister presence of a hidden camera in the bedroom hints at unspeakable acts of abuse, and the ghastly revelation of another child’s lifeless form concealed beneath the bed serves as a grim testament to the horrors that unfold within.

With each passing moment, the tension mounts to an unbearable crescendo as Alana bears witness to the grotesque tableau of her captor’s monstrous deeds, culminating in the visceral horror of witnessing him methodically dismembering his previous victim and callously dispatching the harvested organs to an unseen courier. Through Anantya Kirana’s masterful portrayal, Alana transcends the confines of the screen to become a beacon of resilience and courage, offering a poignant reflection on the enduring power of the human spirit amidst the darkest depths of despair.

Alana faces an equally grim fate unless she can orchestrate a daring rescue. This task becomes even more daunting with the arrival of Jack’s partner, portrayed with chilling enthusiasm by Marsha Timothy, who wields an axe with gusto. Despite the talented cast and a promising setup, the movie didn’t work for me and fell short. The screenplay, penned by Alim Sudio, twists itself into knots to maintain the characters’ muteness, often sacrificing logic and plausibility. The script’s insistence on silence becomes contrived and exasperating, diminishing the film’s potential impact.

One of the film’s glaring issues is its inability to capitalize on its minimalist premise. Rather than delivering a straightforward, high-tension escape narrative, the movie attempts to innovate but ends up tripping over its ambitions. The character of Alana, though portrayed with earnestness by Kirana, is often relegated to reacting in fear rather than actively driving the plot forward. Her moments of ingenuity and bravery are overshadowed by its screenplay, which robs the film of emotional depth and engagement. Similarly, the dynamic between Alana and Rabin, which could have been a source of tension and hope, is underdeveloped due to the lack of dialogue and meaningful interaction.

The film’s technical aspects, including cinematography and set design, do provide some visual appeal. The remote house, with its eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere, serves as an effective backdrop for the horror elements. However, these strengths are not enough to compensate for the narrative shortcomings. The movie also suffers from pacing issues. The initial buildup is slow, and the tension that should escalate progressively instead feels sporadic and uneven. The moments of horror, while effective in isolation, do not coalesce into a coherent, gripping narrative. This disjointedness leaves the audience more frustrated than frightened.

Monster Review: Final Thoughts

Monster had the potential to be a standout thriller by exploring the monstrous nature of humans and the power dynamics in a harrowing kidnapping scenario. However, the film’s overreliance on a gimmicky silence, coupled with an implausible and convoluted plot, undermines its initial promise. While the performances, especially by Anantya Kirana, are commendable, they are not enough to save the film from its own narrative pitfalls. This film is a classic case of a film that aims high but fails to deliver, leaving viewers yearning for a more satisfying and coherent experience.

Indonesian film Monster is now streaming on Netflix.

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