Review 'JALAN PULANG', Not Just Relying on Horror Queens Across Generations - Presents High Intensity from Start to Finish

Kapanlagi.com - SPOILER ALERT!!! DO NOT READ THIS ARTICLE IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING OR IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET SPOILED!!!

This film features a lineup of top stars such as Luna Maya, Taskya Namya, Shareefa Daanish, and Saskia Chadwick as the main cast. They are widely recognized as icons of horror films from different generations, now united on one screen.

Their performances are also supported by experienced actors such as Teuku Rifnu Wikana, Sudjiwo Tejo, Jajang C.Noer, Kiki Narendra, Ruth Marini, Widika Sidmore, Fajar Rezky, Cetul Leatherart, Sofia Mercedes, Eduwart Manalu, Martha Alichya, as well as young talents like Raffan Al Aryan and Rachel Mikhayla.

In general, JALAN PULANG tells the emotional story of a mother named Lastini (Luna Maya) who tries to save her child from supernatural forces. Lastini believes that the illness suffered by her daughter, Arum (Saskia Chadwick), is not an ordinary medical condition, but rather the result of a supernatural power that possesses the child. This supernatural force is the ghost of Marsinah (Shareefa Daanish), who is Lastini's stepmother.

Knowing that their time is limited before the supernatural disturbance peaks on Arum's birthday, which falls on a leap year, Lastini along with two other children, Lia (Taskya Namya) and Rama (Raffan Al Aryan), embarks on a journey to seek help from shamans. However, in the midst of the rescue efforts, they must race against time and face increasingly threatening forces to Arum's life.

Can Lastini and her three children find help to save Arum? Check out the review of JALAN PULANG from the KapanLagi editorial team below. Once again, a warning is directed to KLovers who haven't watched or who do not want to get spoilers, you can stop reading here.

1. High Intensity Horror

For viewers who enjoy jumpscares, this film is the perfect choice for you! From the first ten minutes to the end, scenes that make your heart race and hysterical screams are never absent.

Jumpscares appear in the scene where Arum injures her school friends all the way to the end of the film, which shows Lastini being killed by a ghostly figure.

The addition of the timelapse 'H-something' leading up to Arum's birthday with red writing in between makes the audience even more anxious. The audience becomes more curious about what will happen on those days.

2. Full of Moral Messages

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Upon closer inspection, this film, which surpassed one million viewers on June 25, 2025, not only offers tension but also delivers many moral messages conveyed implicitly. These moral messages appear from the beginning to the end of the story.

Some of them include not treating fellow humans cruelly, which can potentially cause heartache and resentment, striving to forgive those who have hurt us, a mother's unconditional love for her child, which means we must not be disobedient to our mothers, and several other messages that you can find while watching this film.

3. The Queens of Horror

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Although some reviewers on social media mentioned that the acting of the actors and actresses involved could be considered merely standard, the writer appreciates the three queens of horror who managed to collaborate well in this film. The performances of Luna Maya, Shareefa Daanish, and Taska Namya demonstrate that they are three artists with experience in this genre.

Interestingly, young actress Saskia Chadwick, who plays Arum, also shows her potential to match her three seniors. Although her reputation is not as strong as her three seniors, Saskia has starred in two horror films before JALAN PULANG. Not only does she appear 'possessed' throughout the film, but Saskia also presents emotions of sadness, stress, and chaos that seem to be the 'heartbeat' of this film.

4. The Stiff Pronunciation of Javanese

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If there are a few things that need to be fixed in this film, one of them is the pronunciation of Javanese by several actors and actresses, which is considered stiff. Although it doesn't occur throughout the film and only in a few dialogues, it is enough to make viewers who understand Javanese furrow their brows a little.

5. Explanation of the Title JALAN PULANG itself

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Additionally, one of the critiques is that the film does not clearly explain what the meaning of 'jalan pulang' (the way home) is, which serves as the title of the film. Viewers are left wondering and drawing their own conclusions at the end of the film. Jalan pulang can mean the story of Lastini's journey back home in her childhood.

Jalan pulang can also be interpreted as Lastini's life journey that must 'return' because it claimed a life in the village near her childhood home. Jalan pulang can also mean there is (no) way back for Arum, who has been possessed by a supernatural being.

6. Editor’s Rating

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This film is one of the recommended movies for the school holiday season. A score of 8 out of 10 is given to this film which marks the directorial debut of Jeropoint. KLovers can feel the tension, the warmth of family drama, and horror all at once. However, this film is not recommended for those who enjoy plot twists at the end of the story.

(kpl/ums)