Petaka Gunung Gede [Movie Review]

Petaka Gunung Gede [Movie Review] | The movie was released a few weeks ago. I finally gave in to the temptation to watch it since I read rave reviews about it. 

So, did I make the right decision to watch this one?

SYNOPSIS

Petaka Gunung Gede (2025) Trivia

• Starring: Arla Ailani, Adzana Ashel, Endy Arfian & Raihan Khan
• Director: Azhar Kinoi Lubis
• Producer: Chand Parwez Servia & Riza
• Production Company: Starvision & Legacy Pictures

• Distributed by: MockingBird Pictures & TGV Pictures

• Release date: March 26, 2025
• Running time: 98 minutes
• Rating: MA
• Country: Indonesia
• Language: Indonesia
• IMDb: 5.6/ 10
• Tomatometer: NA
• Metascore: NA
• Petaka Gunung Gede is based on Maya Azka’s real-life experience during a 2007 hike. She first shared the chilling story in an emotional podcast with Prasodjo Muhammad, which has since gone viral with nearly 11 million views. 
• While filming Petaka Gunung Gede, Adzana Ashel suddenly went blank and broke down during a script reading with Maya Azka present. She hugged Maya while crying uncontrollably. The crew believed she was possessed by Ita’s spirit, trying to reach out to Maya. 
• Petaka Gunung Gede drew 800,000 viewers within just three days of its release on February 6, 2025 in Indonesia.

Maya and Ita are soul sisters, inseparable since childhood. So when they overheard Indra, Maya's elder brother and his friends planning a hike up Mount Gede in West Java, the girls eagerly asked to tag along. It was school break, after all and they  to spend it on an adventure together.

Getting permission to join the boys is easy for Maya but it is a different story for Ita. It seems that her father never wants her to be out of his sight. She asked for Maya to also persuade her father to let her join the trip. Surprisingly, her father allows Ita to join the hiking trip. 

The girls are ecstatic as this is their hiking trip. When they arrived at the base camp, Ita revealed she was on her period and for those familiar with mountain folklore, especially in sacred or 'sensitive' areas like Mount Gede, that’s a major taboo. According to local belief, menstruating women can disrupt the spiritual balance of the mountain. Panic spread through the group, with some suggesting Ita should head back. Ita stands her ground - she wants to spend her time with her best friend as this might be the only chance that her father allows her on such trip. And that decision marked the beginning of a nightmare.

Strange things started happening. Ita fell ill - vomiting, fainting, and eventually, showing signs of possession. Still, she pushed on to the summit, a choice that would soon haunt her and the team.

On their way to the summit, Ita doesn't seems like herself but the group think little about it. Maya, who has the sixth sense, tells the group that the spirits that are haunting the mountain are not happy that they are there. 'The girl is defiling the sacred ground.' is the message that Maya keeps on hearing from the spirits. 

Once back home, Ita’s condition worsened. Her stomach began to swell unnaturally, as if she were pregnant but no one could explain why. Maya's father points his fingers at Maya for not taking good care of Ita during the trip. 

Not long after, Maya died under eerie and tragic circumstances.

Was Ita's death a proof that the taboo is real or is the reason totally something else, one that is closer to home?

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• Beautiful cinematography.   
• Straight-forward plot. 
• An interesting twist at the end of the movie. 

What I Don't Like:

• If you are looking for jumpscare - worry not, too little jumpscare to my liking. 

Will I Watch It Again: Yes, I might bring you to watch it too. 

Overall: 4.5/ 5.0

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

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