KKN di Desa Penari (2022), directed by Awi Suryadi, tells the story of Nur who joins Ayu and her brother to find a suitable place for KKN (Community Service), ends up in a village. With the help of Ayu’s brother, they finally got the permission to do KKN there. However, Nur feels uncomfortable being in the village because she has a premonition not to go there. Later they find out that the chosen village has many hidden mysteries that endanger their lives. Will they be able to survive and escape from the village?
The Dark Secret of the Village
As Nur and Widya begin to experience the occult disturbances, they start exploring the village’s secrets. Nur talks to Pak Prabhu and meets Mbah Buyut, who tells her about the village’s rulers, genderuwo hitam and the penari. They are disturbed by the presence of Nur’s guardian, which is the reason behind the frequent disturbances. Nur realizes that not only she but Widya is also in danger.
The Tragic End of KKN Participants
Nur and Widya discover that their friends Bima and Ayu are involved in syirik (idolatry) and immoral behavior with each other. Their friend’s behavior is the reason behind the disturbances. They are also in league with Badarawuhi, a jinn who wants to harm them. Nur tries to save Widya by hiding the dancer’s bracelet and scarf inside her bag. She also urges her friends to stop doing KKN. However, it’s too late. The spirits have already captured Bima, Ayu, and their partners in the village. Will they be able to escape, or is it too late?
Conclusion
KKN di Desa Penari (2022) is an adaptation from a viral thread on Twitter. The movie has many potentials to become a great horror movie with unique elements based on Indonesian folklore. Although the storyline is predictable, the movie managed to present it well. Nonetheless, the film’s lack of originality and creative input made it less enjoyable for some viewers. Greed’s theme in the movie between the characters has resulted in disaster, and this can serve as a noteworthy lesson. Overall, KKN di Desa Penari (2022) is worth a watch, especially for those who are interested in Indonesian horror folklore.
