Director – Cornelio Sunny
Starring – Cornelio Sunny (Halfworlds, Paranoia), Djenar Maesa Ayu (Lampor: The Flying Coffin, Ghost Writer 2), and Morgan Oey (My Stupid Boss 2, Switch)
Release Date – 2021
Rating – 2.5/5
My journey into Asian cinema, specifically horror, has been short lived but very enjoyable. I began this journey about ten years ago after watching a few Japanese splatter films on Netflix. I had previously watched a few Asian horror films like Battle Royal but I never really looked into Asian cinema until I watched films like Gothic and Lolita Psycho. As much as I love the over the top and gory Japanese splatter films, I find myself more drawn to down to earth and grounded horror films. A few weeks back my friend from Well Go USA sent over the Indonesian horror film Death Knot to review. The trailer sold me on the film and once again I want to thank Well Go for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a pair of siblings who visit their childhood village when after they both have a nightmare that their mother killed herself. Her mother is accused of being a witch before her death and the two find themselves the center of hate by other villagers after her death. Not long after their arrival others in the village start killing themselves in the same manner as their mother, they are forced to confront the dark presence in the small village. **Spoiler Alert**
Death Knot is not going to be for everyone. In fact, a great deal of pop horror fans will find themselves underwhelmed with this one. It’s slow paced and a bit boring for the most part. However, it has fantastic atmosphere and even though the story is stretched a bit thin, it still has its moments especially for a first time viewing.
The acting in this one is fairly well done. There was a few instances where the cast was a bit stiff and awkward but for the most part I found myself enjoying their personalities and interactions with one another. I almost get the feeling that the cast knew each other prior to filming because they worked very well together. Their on-screen chemistry really made the film feel believable.
The story for this one is one I could really get into but it is stretched for too long. The movie would have been more effective if it was around 40 minutes to an hour long. However, at an hour and a half long we have a film that will try the viewer’s patience. Way too much time is spent establishing the sibling’s relationship instead of exploring the back story on their mother and the evil forces that plagues the village. Such a huge waste of potential.
Finally, the film is not as gruesome or as violent as I was expecting. The film starts with a perfectly atmospheric scene that doesn’t truly set the tone for the film. The film relies heavily on tension and suspense, but it is unable to follow up that beginning scene. Instead, we get drawn out conversations instead of creepy imagery and gore. Overall, Death Knot is a solid horror film especially if you are looking for something supernatural to watch late at night but it is painfully in the middle of the road. Some fans will dig it while others will turn it off early. If it sounds like something you would enjoy then check it out.
