Pabrik Gula [Movie Review]

Pabrik Gula [Movie Review] | I went to watch this one during the Eid holidays. I had nothing to do so I decided to give this one a go. 

To be honest, the poster caught my eyes and I was intrigued - what is the relation between Pabrik Gula and the poster?

Hopefully, it was time and cash well spent.

SYNOPSIS

Pabrik Gula (2025) Trivia

• Starring: Arbani Yasiz, Ersya Aurelia, Erika Carlina, Bukie B. Mansyur & Wavi Zihan
• Director: Awi Suryadi
• Producer: Manoj Punjabi
• Production Company: MD Pictures

• Distributed by: Antenna Entertainment

• Release date: April 3, 2025
• Running time: 133 minutes
• Rating: MA
• Country: Indonesia
• Language: Jawa
• IMDb: 6.6/ 10
• Tomatometer: NA
• Metascore: NA 
• The film’s teaser poster sparked backlash online for being overly sensual. 
• Awi Suryadi, director of KKN di Desa Penari (2022), returns with his second SimpleMan horror adaptation for the big screen. 
• The film is released in two versions—standard and uncut—with the uncut edition offering extra scenes and a more intense experience, screened in over 400 cinemas across Indonesia.

Back in 2003, Wati made the big decision to follow her fiancé, Hendra, to East Java to work as they need anything to help save up for their upcoming weddingThey both signed up as seasonal workers at a sugar factory. The factory was known to bring in seasonal labor from all over during the harvest and sugarcane milling season.

Wati and Hendra weren’t alone. They joined a group of young workers ie Fadhil (Or Franky as he introduces himself), Endah, Naning, Rani, Franky, and Dwi. They were all assigned to different lodgings. The women were placed together, while the men were in another building nearby.

After a long, dusty truck ride, they arrived late in the afternoon and were immediately separated into their respective lodgings. That night, around 9 pm, Endah was about to step outside when she heard the sharp sound of a long whistle. At the same time, she saw a shadowy figure walking away from her loji and toward the factory.

Curiosity got the best of her. She followed the figure into the darkness right into the heart of the now-silent factory. There, she heard faint strains of gamelan music, leading her to a seemingly abandoned warehouse. Peeking through a hole in the wall, she was stunned. Inside was a shadow puppet performance watched by people dressed in old Javanese attire.

Just as she tried to process what she was seeing, the music stopped. Every single eye inside turned and stared directly at her. Terrified, Endah fell from her perch and fled.

The next morning during a work briefing, the factory manager, Bu Marni, explained their strict curfew system: Yellow Hour and Red Hour. Once Red Hour began, no one was allowed outside. Endah realized she had already broken this rule.

From that night on, terror unfolded. There were accidents, a mysterious death and eerie encounters. A senior worker eventually revealed the dark secret: the factory shared its space with a kingdom of spirits, led by a figure named Maharatu.  The two had co-existed harmoniously and from time to time, offerings were given to quench their requests - usually cows and other food items. 

This time around, they wanted blood - a gruesome tradition that was long forgotten.

Did Endah's action caused Maharatu's anger and will they submit to Maharatu's request of blood?

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• Amazing cast! No small role in here - every single actor plays an important role to make the movie a great one to watch.   
• I learned that kuda kepang or known as kuda lumping is a method to rid of bad spirits. 

What I Don't Like:

• Now I want to know what happens to Endah! 

Will I Watch It Again: Yes, it was a good movie with balanced elements of horror, family, moral and comedy.   

Overall: 4.5/ 5.0

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

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