Well GO USA
Coming to Digital June 17
When Soul Reaper wants to catch the attention of horror fans, it needs more than just scares—it delivers something fresh by weaving Indonesian folklore into the story. When Respati’s family comes under threat, the teen (Devano Danendra) has to act. Though nightmares haunt him frequently, these visions mean more than just bad dreams—they carry real warnings.
Respati isn’t the only one struggling with sleep. A dark force haunts a group of kids, putting them all at risk. The premise may remind some of Nightmare on Elm Street, and that’s no coincidence—the film draws inspiration from the real-life phenomenon “Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome” (SUNDS), reported in this region.
Soul Reaper stands out by linking its terror to a recently awakened supernatural entity tied to local legends. To stop the threat, the characters must confront this being inside its own realm rather than the real world. Although the plot twists felt predictable, I found the story engaging from start to finish.
Writer/director Sidharta Tata skillfully weaves traditional superstitions into the narrative. When Respati’s precognitive abilities come to light, he hasn’t yet learned to control them. This realistic touch shows how difficult such powers are to master. Luckily, his friends have a trick up their sleeves. Tirta (Mikha Hernan) starts off skeptical, but after teaming up with transfer student Wulan (Keisya Levronka), who has a Wednesday Addams vibe, they form a strong team ready to face the darkness.
One line early in the film sets the tone: Respati’s grandpa warns, “Whoever has the blood of the bajingjowo, they might carry the power of the Nyai Gadung Melati with them.”
I looked this up and found that the elder’s warning suggests the village’s people could be marked for danger. In Indonesian lore, Nyai usually appears as a benevolent spirit, but here she takes on a darker, more menacing role—think of her as the “Wicked Witch of the West.” Defeating her won’t be easy. While the twist involving her was somewhat expected, she isn’t the main reason I enjoyed the film.
What truly stood out is the film’s fresh take on “The Dreaming.” Unlike the dream worlds in movies like Insidious, Neil Gaiman’s stories, or Lovecraft’s Dream Cycle, this film shows that anyone with enough willpower can shape the dream realm. The lore in Soul Reaper feels original and well-crafted. If they make a sequel, I’ll be first in line to watch.
3½ Stars out of 5
Soul Reaper Trailer
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