Review of the Horror Film 'SANTET SEGORO PITU', Based on a True Story in Semarang

Kapanlagi.com - Horror films remain a favorite among many film enthusiasts in Indonesia. Four out of the ten highest-grossing Indonesian films of all time are horror films. In 2024, several horror films have been released and have garnered a lot of attention from film fans.

Audiences pay more attention when horror films are claimed to be based on true stories or the experiences of a group of people. Although horror genre films have recently received both support and criticism due to stories considered exaggerated, disrespectful to victims of the events, and touching upon one of the religions practiced by the community, many horror films continue to emerge each year.

SANTET SEGORO PITU is one of the horror films released in 2024. This film is claimed to be based on a true story taken from a thread on the X account (formerly Twitter) Betz Illustration. Producer Rocky Soraya mentioned that the story from the thread was purchased from Betz Illustration. Then, the story was rewritten into a film script in collaboration with Riheham Juniant.

Premiering on November 7, 2024, this film starring Christian Sugiono, Arie Irham, Sandrina Michelle, & Sara Wijayanto tells the story of a family in Semarang facing a high-level santet attack. Here is a review of the advantages & disadvantages of this film that received a rating of 7.2 on IMDb. Warning, this article contains a few spoilers for KLovers who haven't watched it.

1. One and a Half Hours Feels Quick

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The audience sitting in the cinema seats will definitely not realize that they have been sitting for ninety-four minutes. This film offers consistent tension from the beginning to the end. For KLovers who haven't watched it yet, don't forget to prepare popcorn!

2. Still Stiff Javanese Pronunciation

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Set in Semarang, this film uses about forty percent Javanese in its dialogues. The four main actors starring in this film have tried to speak Javanese as naturally as possible. However, for viewers who use Javanese in their daily lives, the pronunciation of these actors still seems stiff.

However, appreciation is given to Ari Irham who has made an effort to pronounce sentences in refined Javanese. Although still stiff, his pronunciation is already very good for someone who is not from the Javanese ethnic group.

3. The Depiction of the Frightening Suanggi Ghost

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The witchcraft used by the perpetrator to curse Sucipto (Christian Sugiono). This witchcraft is known to be powerful and nearly unmatched. The witchcraft was sent in a 'single package' with Suanggi, an evil spirit from the east (Papua, Maluku, and Nusa Tenggara) that is believed to wander and prey on humans.

Indeed, the Suanggi ghost is depicted with the help of CGI technology. However, the production team was able to portray Suanggi closely to the characteristics circulating in the mythology of several tribes in Papua and Nusa Tenggara.

4. The Appearance of Ghosts During the Search for Water Springs in the Seven Oceans

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Ardi (Ari Irham) and his sister Syifa (Sandrinna Michele) are informed that the antidote to the curse on Sucipto is a ruwatan. In this ruwatan, it is required to use water from the seven oceans that is the source of the witchcraft segoro pitu.

Sucipto's condition, being in a coma, forces Ardi & Syifa to embark on a journey to the seven oceans to collect water. During their quest to fetch water from the seven oceans, Ardi & Syifa encounter various forms of guardian ghosts. Although Ardi & Syifa are indeed frightened, the essence of the ghosts' presence at that moment can be questioned.

5. Gore Scene

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For those of you who can't handle seeing blood or wounds, please prepare yourself. This film presents many scenes in the gore category. However, some of the sadistic and cruel scenes do not appear as frequently as the horror moments that are the core of this film.

As this article is published, SANTET SEGORO PITU is still showing in several cinemas across the country. For those who haven't watched it, this film is included in the recommendation of Indonesian horror films that are worth watching. KLovers, you can check out reviews of other films here. If not now, when?

(kpl/ums)