Overview
Set against the backdrop of Indonesian culture, folklore, and witchcraft, Primbon, directed by Roxy Aryanto, is a hybrid film composed of mysticism, horror, and familial drama. The traditions and spiritual beliefs of Indonesia are woven into the film’s narrative which draws from an ancient Javanese manuscript of astrology, divination, and prophecy known as Primbon. The film is a supernatural and psychological thriller that deals with the theme of life’s belief systems and the consequences of meddling with one’s fate.
The plot revolves around a middle-aged woman named Rana, played by Happy Salma, who is a resident of Jakarta. She returns to the quaint village in Central Java after the death of her father, a revered dukun, to attend the funeral. Rana had a tumultuous relationship with her father who was obsessed with the primbon and ruled his life by it. The village life was unwelcoming for Rana and her father’s obsessions seem to make her consider him backward.
Yet, the homecoming of Rana is anything but tranquil. The locals are agitated by the fact that her father’s funeral ceremonies are still unfinished. It is murmured in the village that her father’s spirit cannot lie in peace as some key rites described in the primbon text were not performed. Her younger brother Agus, played by Arifin Putra, warns and tells Rana that he who does not adhere to the old ways is going to be dealing with very serious dangers. The family curse foretold by their father comes intertwined with the incompletely performed ritual inscribed in the primbon. If not fulfilled, the family bloodline will suffer catastrophic consequences.
Really strange happenings start plaguing the household after unraveling the mystery, and the skepticism in Rana begins to erode. Reality mingles with vivid nightmares, shadowy forms linger in her vision and an unseen force seems to be growing stronger by each passing second. The discovery of her father’s personal copy of ‘the primbon’ seems to unlock something as it is filled with cryptic symbols and eerie predictions, many of which seem to talk about her in a rather disturbing way.
Her investigation into the center of the enigma becomes a conflict of contemporary logic and ancient traditions. Assisted, albeit begrudgingly, by Agus and the village recluse Mbah Wiryo (Deddy Sutomo), Rana tries to interpret the ominous messages contained within the primbon. Each page she reads appears to ensnare her further into a tapestry of ancestral mysteries, forgotten transgressions, and otherworldly forces.
While the conflict intensifies, Rana realizes that the family curse is somehow connected to a ritual her father performed in a misguided, obsessive attempt to shift their lineage’s fate. The ritual was, however, only partially completed — and the spirit of vengeance it called forth is forever bound between realms, pursuing her family line. Even more troubling is the primbon’s prediction that the crowning moment of the curse will take the life of the family’s eldest daughter, which is Rana.
With resolve to change the pattern, Rana faces the frightening ghost of her father, the very being whose essence personifies the curse’s herald. It is in the climactic blood-chilling ritual under a blood-red moon where she must choose between accepting the sacred insight she earlier disdained or deciding to dwell within what is cast for her in the primbon. The concluding moments are a potent blend of emotional catharsis and tension, leaving the audience contemplating whether the inescapable fate of their life can truly be evaded.
As the film ends, Rana is left in a heart-wrenching marked sequence: Although the ritual seems successful, she is afflicted with more subtle indicators that the curse is not entirely removed. While her possession the primbon lies still, it eerily opens on its own to a blank page what can only suggest gives the impression that destiny – while momentarily stalled – is always poised for a rewrite.
Cast & Crew
The Primbon stands out thanks to its remarkable cast alongside its committed creative team who tell the film deeply and frighten the audience while suggesting the power behind the story:
As Rana, Happy Salma: Together with advanced unexpected effects, Salma gives a captivating performance as she portrays the new age skeptic turned believer Lady Rana. Probably her strongest selling point comes from anchoring the film’s emotional core when she transforms into a woman literally wrestling with the mystical truths encapsulated in her heritage.
Arifin Putra as Agus: As Rana’s sibling and a rather unwilling custodian of their family’s hidden truth, Putra encapsulates both strength and weakness through his character. His interpretation of a man caught between obligation and fear enhances the story.
Deddy Sutomo as Mbah Wiryo: He is an elder in the village, wise yet burdened, and devoid of artistry but rich in souls. He is an Indonesian cinema Sutomo. A merchant in suffering who leads the protagonists towards their destined showdown through intricate instructions.
Supporting Cast: The ensemble includes strong portrayals by Tara Basro as the enigmatic fortuneteller and Slamet Rahardjo as Rana’s aristocratic and menacing father whose spirit hounds the film.
Director & Screenplay:
Roxy Aryanto directs with precision when it comes to pacing and atmosphere to heighten tension. It is in his films that each quaking shadow and rustling leaf builds to a sense of approaching doom. Aryanto’s direction leaves everything to a psychological simmer, achieving fear without utilizing outdated horror cliches. The direction is co-written with Eka Kurniawan, integrating Javanese folklore into timeless mythology, modern storytelling without myth through character-driven writing.
Cinematography:
The cinematography of Ical Tanjung is certainly an important aspect of the film as it enables the viewer to experience the breathtaking, foggy, Central Java landscape. His light and framing makes it seem like the world is alive.
Sound Design & Music:
Aghi Narottama’s creepy soundtrack to the film is enhanced by custom composed gamelan instruments. The sound design is deeply unsettling, with rustling ancient scrolls and echoing distant chants only making everything more tense e.g. .
IMDb Ratings
Currently, Primbon is sitting at the 7.4/10 mark at IMDb, highlighting the mixed opinions from critics and audiences alike. Viewers especially enjoyed the atmospheric storytelling and Happy Salma’s performance, while sides from the critics who appreciated the lack of typical horror ‘tricks’ and the use of psychological elements and authentic fear praised the film as well.
Many in fact stressed the underlying theme of family, fear, and the fight between ancient and modern ideals, balanced with Indonesia’s rich spiritual traditions as deeply fascinating. While some found the pacing very slow, with folklore based horror being a niche, most agreed that the film was worth the wait.
Conclusion
The exploration themes of fate, heritage, and the power of belief is what makes Primbon (2023) a well-crafted horror-thriller film, rising above simple jumpscares. Delivering a chilling experience, the film is rooted in Indonesian mysticism and has impressive visuals, sound design and performances. This film beautifully puts forward the fact that no matter how hard some try to escape their past, legacies are carved in stone, and a primbon.
For viewers who admire psychological thrillers, folk-inspired horror and blend of tradition and modern storytelling, this film is a must-watch. It is certainly a haunting tale that will stay on people’s minds even after the final frame disappears.
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