Jalangkung Sandekala (2022) Review & Explained

 Introduction

The greatest hallmark of Indonesian horror films lies in their dark folklore, cursed spirits, and an atmosphere that gradually instills fear in the mind. Jalangkung Sandekala offers a very similar experience.

This film does not rely solely on jump scares; instead, by blending folklore, dark forces, and terrifying myths associated with children, it creates a deeply unsettling atmosphere.

The film is directed by Kimo Stamboel, who is known for his previous work on numerous dark and black-magic-based horror films. This is precisely why the movie establishes a strong atmosphere of mystery and dread right from the very beginning.

Movie Plot Overview

The story begins in a village where, after sunset, young children mysteriously start to disappear. The villagers believe that an evil spirit named "Sandekala" carries away children who are playing outdoors after dark.

Meanwhile, Adrian—along with his wife Sandra, daughter Nikki, and young son Keenan—arrives there for a picnic. However, a single small mistake changes everything when Keenan vanishes from the area near the lake situated by the forest.

From that point on, the film transforms from a simple missing-child story into a supernatural nightmare.

Movie Information

Details	Information
Movie Name	Jailangkung: Sandekala
Release Date	September 22, 2022
Genre	Horror, Mystery
Runtime	1h 32m
Director	Kimo Stamboel
Writers	Kimo Stamboel, Rinaldy Puspoyo
IMDb Rating	5.7/10

 

Main Cast

Actor	Character
Titi Kamal	Sandra
Dwi Sasono	Adrian
Syifa Hadju	Niki
Muzakki Ramdhan	Kinan
Giulio Parengkuan	Faisal
T. Rifnu Wikana	Sarno
Mike Lucock	Madjid
Pipien Putri	Saijah
Deva Mahenra	Dimas
Jefri Nichol	Rama

The Real Villain Explained

The climax reveals that Saijah was using a Jalangkung doll to keep the spirit of her deceased daughter alive.

Her daughter had become isolated due to being different from the rest of society and eventually took her own life.

After losing her daughter, Saijah turned to black magic, and that very spirit gradually turned malevolent.

Now, she sought to drag other children into her world so she could keep them by her side forever.

This revelation makes the film both emotional and disturbing.

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Performances

Titi Kamal as Sandra

His acting feels emotional and believable. His fear appears natural, especially in horror scenes.

Syifa Hadju as Niki

Niki's character appears strong in both the investigation and the emotional moments.

Muzakki Ramdhan as Kinan

Despite his limited presence, Kinan remains the emotional center of the story.

Direction And Visuals

Kimo Stamboel has maintained a distinctly dark and unsettling atmosphere throughout the film. The forest sequences, dim lighting, and sound effects sustain a constant sense of tension.

The ghost's design is also quite creepy; in particular, its unnatural height and movements make it even more horrifying.

Although some scenes feel a bit slow, the overall suspense remains intact.

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Ending Explained

Niki finally manages to bring Kinan back from the spirit world. However, the spirit follows them into the real world and attempts to drag Kinan back with it once again.

In the final confrontation, Saijah attacks the family, but she ultimately meets her demise.

The family leaves the scene, and it appears as though everything has come to an end.

Yet, in the final scene, the Jalangkung doll becomes active once more.

The implication is clear: the evil has not yet been vanquished.

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Conclusion

Jalangkung Sandekala is a decent Indonesian horror movie that effectively blends folklore, mystery, and supernatural terror.

The film isn't perfect, as some scenes feel a bit drawn out, but its atmosphere, creepy visuals, and suspense keep it engaging.

If you enjoy dark, folklore-based horror movies, this film offers a solid one-time viewing experience.

FAQs

1.What was the release date of Jalangkung Sandekala?

Ans. The movie was released on September 22, 2022.

2. Who directed the movie?

Ans. The film was directed by Kimo Stamboel.

 3. What is the runtime of the movie?

Ans. The runtime of the film is approximately 1 hour 32 minutes.

4. What genre is the movie?

Ans. It belongs to the Horror and Mystery genres.

5. What is the plot of the movie?

Ans. The story follows a family whose young son disappears in a cursed village connected to a supernatural doll and an evil spirit.