“DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE”

Movie Review: “Mawar and the Pocong”

Reviewed by: Shadow Whisperer

First Impression:

When I first saw the poster of Mawar and the Pocong, I felt a sinking dread, and not the good kind. A shoddy illustration and a recycled premise—what kind of horror trash are we getting into this time? Still, out of sheer loyalty to local cinema, I found myself in the theater, expectations set so low they could barely crawl under a coffin.

But here’s the thing: the opening scene caught me completely off-guard. The haunting atmosphere was well-crafted. From the rain-soaked cemetery to the chilling thunderstorm overhead, it immediately grabbed my attention. For a moment, I thought, “Could this actually be good?” Awi Suryadi, the director, has shown potential before, with works like Danur and KKN di Desa Penari, and here again, he proves his talent for crafting tension.

Plot Overview:

The story revolves around Mawar, a lonely girl who wishes for someone to love her. Her wish is granted in the most horrific way possible—her new boyfriend is, quite literally, a pocong (an Indonesian ghost wrapped in a burial shroud). What follows is a predictable mix of eerie encounters and supernatural horror. The premise is taken from a popular horror podcast by Mr. Popo, but unfortunately, the story is as thin as the fabric on the pocong itself.

While the concept could have led to a deep exploration of loneliness, grief, and supernatural love, the execution felt rushed. The film often relied on cheap scares and over-the-top jumps, missing an opportunity to delve into something genuinely unsettling.

Cinematography & Visuals:

Despite the weak plot, I have to commend the technical aspects. The cinematography is quite impressive for a local horror film. There’s a mastery of light and shadow that adds depth to many scenes, from eerie corridors to the claustrophobic setting of Mawar’s boarding house. The use of minor chords in the musical score, especially during moments of tension, added a layer of psychological horror that was subtle yet effective.

But here’s where things take a turn: once the pocong fully reveals itself, the tension plummets. The film turns into a jumble of clichés and repetitive scares. What was initially gripping becomes predictable and, frankly, exhausting.

Overall Verdict:

Mawar and the Pocong isn’t the worst horror film you’ll see, but it’s far from the best. It had promise, especially in its technical execution, but ultimately falters due to a shallow plot and a reliance on jump scares. If you’re a fan of local horror and want to see something with decent production value, give it a watch. But don’t expect a groundbreaking experience.

Ratings:

1. Plot & Storytelling: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
   The concept had potential, but the shallow execution made it feel like a rushed podcast adaptation, relying too heavily on jumpscares rather than real emotional depth.
2. Cinematography & Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
   A true highlight. The visuals and sound design were immersive, with well-done lighting and eerie scoring, particularly in the first half. The use of camera angles was effective in building suspense.
3. Overall Horror Experience: ⭐⭐½☆☆
   While it had some genuinely creepy moments, especially in the first half, the film loses momentum halfway through and ends up feeling like just another formulaic horror flick.

For additional reviews of Mawar and the Pocong, you can check these links:

1. IMDb Review of Mawar and the Pocong
2. Rotten Tomatoes Review of Mawar and the Pocong