Marni: The Story of Wewe Gombel [Movie Review]

Marni: The Story of Wewe Gombel [Movie Review] | My friends selected the movie during our current outing. We love to watch scary movies together and this one was on Netflix, so we just roll with it.

SYNOPSIS

Marni: The Story of Wewe Gombel (2024) Trivia

• Starring: Ismi Melinda, Amanda Rigby, Hannah Al Rashid, Attar Barakbah & Reza Hilman

• Director: Billy Christian
• Producer: Fransen Susanto
• Production Company: Shen Entertainment, RA Pictures, Legacy Pictures & A&Z Films

• Distributed by: Antenna Entertainment & Netflix

• Release date: June 27, 2024

• Running time: 119 minutes

• Rating: Mature Adult

• Country: Indonesia

• Language: Indonesia

• IMDb: 6.5 / 10
• Tomatometer: tbd
• Metascore: tbd
• Wewe Gombel is a legendary ghost in Indonesian culture, often evoked to keep children from wandering outside as night approaches.
• Beyond horror, the film delves into social justice themes and explores the impact of trauma on children, adding layers that make it more than just a typical horror movie.

Rahayu and her two children, Anisa and Aan have just relocated to a remote village, hoping to start afresh after Rahayu's recent divorce. The village initially seems like a peaceful escape, but it soon reveals a dark, hidden side when Aan mysteriously vanishes. 

Aan, a small boy with special needs (I assume he is autistic), is very much loved and cared for by his sister, Anisa, but their mother often neglects the kids' needs as she determines to make ends meet for her family. Oftentimes, she neglects the kids and I sense that she also resents the kids for the tough times she is facing. 

As the search for Aan unfolds, Rahayu and Anisa learn that he has been taken by Wewe Gombel, a supernatural figure from Indonesian folklore known for abducting children around dusk. Rahayu is a bit skeptical about the folklore but Anisa is determined to save his brother. 

Tama, one of the young men of the village, shares the tragic backstory of Marni, a young herbal seller who faced an unfortunate fate and ultimately became Wewe Gombel. Wewe Gombel is known to abduct children who are being neglected by their caretakers.

In a race against time, Anisa confronts her fears, battling the terror that Wewe Gombel brings to the village and is determined to find a way to weaken the spirit’s hold. When Aan is finally found, it’s clear he’s not the same—he’s deeply affected by the traumatic ordeal he endured.

Will Aan be the same as before?

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• A good blend of introducing the local folklore, the backstory, the culture, the family values, the awareness about special needs kids and the horror.  

What I Don't Like:

• The SFX seems fake. Could have been better.

Will I Watch It Again: Yes, I would.   

Overall: 4.2/ 5.0

The pictures are taken from multiple sources on the Internet. Thank you.

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