sebelum iblis menjemput blends never ending terrors, flashy jumpscares, deeply rooted mystical sense with full throttle execution that made the audience physically and mentally compromised. just like his previous works (most notably rumah dara), timo doesnt hesitate to go all out with his delivery. this film continuously carries an atmosphere of dread starting from the first minute mark and the diabolical force refuses to fade even until the credits roll. the intensity goes hand-in-hand with tight build ups and a number of jumpscares that blatantly portrayed demonic faces as big as the theater screen. yes, they snatch your sight before you are ready and there is no way you can look away.
interestingly, it is also heavy on gore which is quite of a fresh take since most local horrors tend to rely solely on supernatural theme. this one is disturbingly blood gushing, very much in the vein of raimi's evil dead down to the almost comedic impression. i'd say interesting because its been a while since i saw well crafted gory element in local films that is not corny. it may be difficult to stomach for some, but it does add a unique touch to the whole tone.
music is such an important component in horror movies and i gotta say the scoring department especially did a terrific job this time. every sound effect adheres to the theme, message, and mood present in the scene closely. sometimes the ear-piercing loudness gets over the top it feels like you are being choked on the spot, very visceral and full of madness.
the reason why i gave this film 3.5 out of 5 is because despite the technical excellence, there are considerable shortcomings that are hard to ignore. the most prominent would be the stiff and inconsistent dialogues that kinda ruin some profound moments between the characters which end up making us emotionally detached from them. another one would be the lack of cathartic experience toward the third act where the tension becomes anticlimactic like a roller coaster that already slows down when we are still anticipating for a steep plunge from the skyscraper. instead of a long-awaited explosive momentum it just pales in comparison with the previous acts.
all in all, sebelum iblis menjemput is still an incredibly fun entertainment for horror aficionados and thrill-seekers. thumbs up for timo and the crew for blessing local cinema with yet another quality gem in the genre!
"the past is just a story we keep telling ourselves"
her touches my heart ever so gently, and suddenly i feel like a kid again who learns how to love, how to cope with losing, and how to bear with loneliness for the first time. her touch is as soft as the hazy and warm color palette in the film, but sometimes it can be as cold as the night sky on top of glowing city lights that theodore would stare longingly into.
just like the wheel of life that goes up and down, this film unveils the intricacies of human relationship in the most genuine way possible. spike jonze handled her with so much love and grace that it flows flawlessly like a thread that weaves into one beautiful piece of art - the art of making peace with one's self.
its poetic but it doesnt come off as pretentious, and its valuable without being preachy. i would also sing all the praises to joaquin phoenix and scarlett johansson for their immersive performance that breathes originality and blooming chemistry with each other. these collective talents and efforts together conceived one of the most raw and wonderful love stories that will warm every hearts out there.
her lets you love again, and yes i love her.
