Sebelum Iblis Menjemput is an Indonesian horror film that has successfully captured the attention of horror movie lovers not just in the country but also around the world. Released in 2018, the film has been directed by Timo Tjahjanto who has taken the horror genre to another level with his remarkable talent. The notable cast of the movie includes Chelsea Islan, Pevita Pearce, Ray Sahetapy, Karina Suwandi and Samo Rafael, all of whom have done justice to their respective roles.
The movie revolves around a family that is haunted by demons and evil spirits after the father made a deal with the devil to become wealthy. The story starts in 1998 when Indonesia was facing a monetary crisis, and Lesmana made a deal with a shaman and the devil to sacrifice his wife and in return, gain financial success. However, after the wife’s suicide, the family starts experiencing terrifying events that put all of them at risk.
The atmosphere of the movie is set in a villa surrounded by a forest, where the family reunites to collect valuable assets after the father’s hospitalization. Many dreadful and scary incidents occur in the villa. The son, Alfie, encounters a mysterious creature while visiting his father in the hospital. Later, he finds a hidden room where he discovers the truth about his family’s past.
The movie’s tempo is slow-paced at the start, but as the story progresses, the tension grows, and the setting becomes more ominous with the increase in the appearance of the demons. The second act of the movie is where the tempo picks up the pace with the introduction of more intense and brutal scenes of terror.
The movie has several jump-scares, jolting the viewers’ senses, and adding a burst of energy to the movie, with its shocking revelations and twists about the supernatural society’s reality. The film is full of visualization and technology, where even the dark corners of the villa are given life, giving an intense vibe on the viewers.
Sebelum Iblis Menjemput is a horror movie that genuinely delivers on what it promises, with the right combination of thrill, terror and a captivating storyline. The movie is spine-chilling and not for the faint-hearted. It is also a great example of how Indonesian horror movies are adapting, and evolving from the eroticism and splatter horror we saw in the 2000s, making it a must-watch for horror movie enthusiasts.
