Menjelang Magrib (2022) is a horror-mystery movie directed by Helfi C.H. Kardit. The film follows the story of Nina, a young girl who suffers from a unique form of mental illness in which she goes into a frenzy every evening before the Maghrib (sunset) prayer is called. This condition has led to Nina being confined to a small hut and tied up until the frenzy passes. While the premise of the movie is interesting, it unfortunately falls short in execution, as it fails to deliver a deeper exploration of the story’s themes.
Nina’s Struggle
The movie delves into the stigma surrounding mental illness and how it can lead to mistreatment and confinement of those who suffer from it. Nina’s case is unique, as her illness is triggered by a specific time of day. It’s revealed that she was a happy and normal girl until she accidentally stepped on bamboo that was considered sacred by local villagers. This act sparked the belief that she had been possessed by a supernatural being, leading to Nina being dragged to shamans and psychiatrists until she was declared cured.
The Investigation
The audience is introduced to a group of psychology students who embark on a mission to find out what is truly happening to Nina. They are Thalia, Erlan, and Ahmad, who struggle to navigate the fine line between medical science and supernatural beliefs. They find that Nina’s condition is not a form of possession but rather involves her being confined in a small hut that is located in a bamboo forest—an environment that triggers her condition. Through their investigation, they learn about the practice of “pasung” where people who suffer from mental illness are confined by their families without proper medical supervision.
Conclusion:
While Menjelang Magrib has a fascinating premise, it never quite explores its themes fully. The movie is torn between the medical perspective of mental illness and the supernatural beliefs of the villagers. The exploration of pasung, a real-life practice in Indonesia, could have been a useful tool to gain insight into the stigma surrounding mental health. However, the movie fails to deliver on this front, leaving a lot of potential unrealized. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting horror-mystery movie to watch, especially if you’re intrigued by Indonesia’s cultural beliefs surrounding mental health and spirituality.
