Review 'SORE: WIFE FROM THE FUTURE': Tempted to Give a Perfect Score

Kapanlagi.com - Writer: Serafin Unus Pasi

The Indonesian film industry is once again presented with an interesting offering. A film titled 'SORE: WIFE FROM THE FUTURE' has graced Indonesian cinemas since last week.

'SORE: WIFE FROM THE FUTURE' is an adaptation of a web series of the same name that was released in 2017.

This adaptation film is still written and directed by Yandy Laurens, the writer and director of the web series. Meanwhile, for the cast, Yandy Laurens has once again enlisted Dion Wiyoko as the main actor.

However, what's different is that in this film, the character Sore, previously played by Tika Bravani, is now portrayed by Sheila Dara.

So, how is this film? Does it meet the expectations of the viewers of the highly popular web series from eight years ago? Let's take a look at the review below.

1. Answering the Great Public Expectations

Honestly, when the teaser for the movie Sore first circulated on social media, I was torn. On one hand, I was happy because one of the best Indonesian web series, in my opinion, was being adapted into a feature film.

However, on the other hand, there was a great concern accompanying it. Because adaptations of films, whether from novels, comics, or web series, are expected to provide the same experience as the original series, but on the other hand, there must be an 'added value' from the original series.

Many adaptation films are labeled as failures by audiences because of these issues. Considering that the web series Sore, which was released eight years ago, was very popular, there are certainly great public expectations for this film.

Yandy Laurens, the same person who created the web series Sore in 2017, can be said to have successfully answered that challenge. Why is that? Take a peek below, KLovers!

2. A Complex Yet Complete Story

The first reason why this Afternoon Film successfully meets the challenges and expectations of the audience is because of its complex yet more complete story.

For KLovers who haven't watched the web series, 'AFTERNOON: WIFE FROM THE FUTURE' is a film that tells the story of Sore, a woman who travels back in time to meet her (soon to be) husband, Jonathan.

She makes this time travel to try to change Jonathan's unhealthy lifestyle, because in the future Jonathan will die due to that unhealthy lifestyle. So Sore - somehow - manages to go back to the past and tries to change Jonathan's lifestyle.

For about the first half of this film, the story presented to the audience is not much different from the web series. The audience is invited to reminisce about sweet moments where Jonathan is surprised by the presence of a woman claiming to be his wife from the future and how Sore's presence gradually starts to change his bad lifestyle.

However, Yandy Laurens starts to cook in the second half of this film. He begins to introduce new problems that were not present in the web series, namely how it turns out that changing someone's behavior is not that easy. He shows how difficult it is for Sore to change Jonathan's behavior and lifestyle.

In addition, Yandy Laurens also introduces the concepts of time paradox and time loop in this Afternoon film. These two concepts really give this film a different impression from its web series.

In this film as well, Yandy Laurens adds a background story explaining why Jonathan has such a lifestyle. Thus, this film feels more complete than the web series version.

3. Visuals and Audio that Indulge

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One of the film's greatest strengths, besides its very good story, also lies in the visuals and music used.

As information for KLovers, this film, Sore, is not set in Indonesia. The film was shot in Croatia and Finland, and it maximizes that well.

From the first minute this film starts, the audience is presented with the beautiful landscapes of Antarctica complete with its auroras. Throughout the film, the audience's eyes are also treated to the beautiful sights of the small towns of Gorznjan and Zagreb. Big thumbs up to the Director of Photography of this film, Dimas Bagus Triatma Yoga, who has delivered stunning visuals throughout the film.

These stunning visuals are complemented by a soundtrack that is equally impressive. Yandy Sofyan still uses some of the music he used in his web series, including the song by Adhitia Sofyan titled 'Gaze' which truly indulges the audience's ears while amplifying the already stunning visuals of the film.

Yandy Sofyan also collaborates with the popular Indonesian band, Barasuara, who adds an emotional touch with the song titled 'Lost in Time'.

4. Sheila Dara, The Game Changer

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For this film, it feels incomplete if we do not discuss the figure of Sheila Dara, the main actress and the center of the story of this film.

Sheila indeed carries a heavy burden in this film. Because she has to at least match the acting shown by Tika Bravani, the actress of Sore in her web series. Moreover, Tika Bravani's image is already very much associated with Sore.

Instead of trying to imitate or match Tika Bravani's Sore, Sheila Dara actually brings a new color to Sore. She presents a Sore that is more playful and more soft-spoken than Tika Bravani's version of Sore.

However, as I mentioned earlier, the story of this Sore film is much more complex than the story in its web series. As a result, Sore's role also becomes more complex and requires more complex acting, and Sheila is able to meet that demand.

How she portrays Sore as a lovesick character towards Jonathan, how she shows her despair in witnessing Jonathan's unchanged behavior, how she depicts the exhaustion of Sore trapped in a time loop is truly remarkable!

5. Rating from the Writer

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As a viewer of the web series Sore, I honestly set high standards and expectations for this Sore film. Because for me personally, the Sore web series is one of the best web series in Indonesia and this film must at least match or exceed its web series.

Does this film succeed in surpassing its web series? I confidently say 'YES'. This film truly surpasses all aspects of its web series, and it is not an exaggeration to say that this film version is an improvement over its web series.

KLovers also do not need to watch the web series to understand this film. In fact, KLovers can experience what the viewers of the web series felt by watching this film.

I personally feel tempted to give a perfect score to this Sore film. However, after reflecting on it again, there are a few things that could still be improved in this film.

That is why I give a rating of 9/10 for this film. So KLovers who want to watch an Indonesian love film that is unlike most Indonesian love films, this Sore film is worth watching.

(kpl/cvn)