Trinil: Kembalikan Tubuhku is an Indonesian horror film set to be released in 2024. It is directed by Hanung Bramantyo, whose return to horror marks his first venture into the genre in a long while. The movie is a blend of classical folklore and modern horror, set in the 1970s during the tea boom in Central Java and Javas. It focuses on the issues of obsession, disloyalty, the insidious nature of the unknown world, and supernatural forces.
SYNOPSES
The tale centers around Rara, played by Carmela Van Der Kruk, who follows her husband Sutan (Rangga Nattra) to a romantic honeymoon only to discover his father has passed away. Determined to make a life for herself, Rara explained how she could not wait to start her new life in Central Java where the rest of her father’s tea plantation was located. Sadly, with both of their intentions being positive, things turn out bad as upon returning, the couple begins to suffer some unnerving events where Rara starts seeing ghosts of people missing their bodies while mumbling barely over words “Trinil, give me back my body.”
While the haunting escalates further, Sutan comes in contact with a childhood friend turned healer named Yusof (Fattah Amin) who is known for his work with the supernatural and seeks further aid. He takes the task of untying the intricate web of lore surrounding the estate to discover the truth behind the current evil happenings which is revealed in the form of past horrors concealed in some of the deepest secrets. This is the story of unraveling inner guilt and amends alongside unfacing evil demons from the pages of time’s forgotten sins.
CAST and CHARACTERS
Carmela Van Der Kruk as Rara: Opening up the film is Rara who’s life gets considerably tricky when her and her family encounter dark paranormal forces that seem bound and determined to take over her seamlessly.
Rangga Nattra as Sutan: The fantastic supporting role of a caring but concerned and painfully protective husband of Rara entails Sutan, a busy nurse whose sole focus shifts abruptly to the paranormal dramas happening around Rara.
Fattah Amin as Yusof: Blending modern logic with ancient customs, Yusof struggles with a strong negative spirit while serving as a spiritual healer for Sutan and his childhood friend.
Wulan Guritno as Ayu: Adding subtext to Ayu’s character, she emerges as a complex figure through the multi-layered unfolding of the haunting’s motivations. To complete her tale, Ayu is a figure marked by enigmatic incidents that reveal themselves gradually.
Shalom Razade as Young Ayu: Fleshing out the motivations behind the haunt and Ayu, Shalom captures the essence of the character in her childhood years.
Production & Direction
Hanung Bramantyo is a well-respected director across several genres, and with Trinil, he returns to horror, a domain he touched with Lentera Merah (2006) and Legenda Sundel Bolong (2007). Together with the screenwriter Haqi Achmad, Bramantyo tells this story in tribute to Indonesian horror while blending it with more recent filming styles.
The film’s cinematography captures the supernatural happenings set within the tranquil region of Central Java alongside its Central Java, giving the area’s beauty a violent twist. The enhancements to the haunting elements are achieved with practical effects and some CGI, but always remain discreet and blend into the narrative.
Themes & Symbolism
The themes delve into ancestral blame, the collision of contemporary society with traditions, and the burden of unaddressed trauma. The consequences of cuts and neglecting wrongs of the head are illustrated in the disconnected form of a head. The film also depicts women’s place in society, fighting Rara’s role as one who demonstrates fortitude and tenacity in overcoming oppression.
Incorporating elements of Javanese folklore, particularly the idea of vengeful restless spirits, gives the film cultural credibility. The narrative dares both characters and viewers to unearth the past and deal with the impact of historical wrongs.
Critical Reception
Like many films, it was received with mixed reactions from both critics and the general audience. Trinil’s cultural depth combined with the captivating setting was praised by some, yet others deemed the pacing and over dependence on horror motifs as questionable.
One reviewer praised the blend of “chilling horror narrative set against the backdrop of Indonesia’s stunning natural landscapes,” particularly for capturing Indonesian mysticism. Nonetheless, the film’s emotional engagement with the central characters was another noted struggle: “the film lacks in several crucial aspects.”
Another critic stated, “it makes you laugh (unintentionally, that is)” which captures the absurdity of the over-the-top portrayal of horror in the film.
Although the film received harsh critiques, it maintained its loyal fans for the depth of traditional cultural horror elements incorporated into the film.
The movie’s sole focus on character development detracted from pacing, but the reverberating atmosphere rooted in the culture is what makes Trinil: Kembalikan Tubuhku stand out as a portrayal of Indonesian folklore.
While some viewers may prefer horror movies with a cultural context and deeper themes, Trinil combines folklore and supernatural elements in a unique way. It reminds us of the narratives that remain hauntingly unspoken and the reckoning of the past cannot be easily forgotten through its themes of guilt and retribution.
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