Synopsis
This tale takes place in Rodiatul Jannah, an Islamic girls’ boarding school that is scenic and beautiful, yet strict and remote. Zahra, portrayed by Zulfa Maharani, is a model student. She is hardworking, well-behaved, and obeys the rules of the school as well as pays attention to what her teachers expect of her. Zahra’s life is almost robotic and predictable as she has submitted completely to blind, draconian authority that she must answer to.
When Yolanda, played by Aghniny Haque, is introduced as a new student within the school, the world as Zahra knows it starts to shift. Unlike Zahra, Yolanda is more free spirited and outspoken, refusing to conform. Her presence creates an undercurrent of conflict, not only between the two girls, but within the very structure of the school’s controlled environment.
Things take a turn for the worst when Ustad Jaelani plays the role of the charming yet unsettling school principal. As portrayed by Omar Daniel, he has his own set of ideas regarding the students and introduces ‘spiritual exercises’ wherein the girls perform tomb sweeping, an activity where they imagine getting rid of their “evil” spirits. With every ritual lie actual horrific, face-to-face summoning of each girl’s Qorin, an embodiment of her dark reflection.
Once the ritual is done, the horrors begin. Students are stalked by their doppelgängers, and strange, violent accidents occur around the school grounds. It becomes evident that the Qorin are not mere hallucinations, but rather deadly spiritual entities, and panic grows unchecked. What begins as a spiritual lesson transforms into a primal struggle for survival when Zahra and Yolanda are forced to face not only the soul-chilling Qorin but the concealed truths of the school and their own identities.
Cast & Crew
The committed cast and deft direction have added a great deal to the film’s atmosphere.
Zulfa Maharani (Zahra): Maharani delivers a standout performance as Zahra where she captures the character’s initial obedience alongside her later spiral into a blend of paranoia and courage. Her performance evokes a young woman, torn between belief and dread, in a manner that’s unsettling yet palpably real.
Aghniny Haque (Yolanda): Haque embodies fire and defiance in the portrayal of Yolanda. Her character becomes the linchpin for narrative conflict as well as thematic tension, with Yolanda presenting the starkest contrast to the rigidly authoritative nature of the school.
Omar Daniel (Ustad Jaelani): In one of the film’s most bone-chilling performances, Daniel is the manipulative school leader, and his performance is equally disturbing. When portraying a man who exercises spiritual authority-turned-control, he captures the beautiful disgust and underlying rage of such a figure.
Director: Ginanti Rona: Rona is recognized for her mastery of building suspense, and she does not disappoint in Qorin. It is paced masterfully, built on tension and atmosphere rather than cheap jump scares. As an action assistant director, Rona is known to lend visual sharpness, and that is to this contrary eerie setting of Qorin.
Screenwriter: Lele Laila: The screenplay, co-written with Rona, mixes traditional folklore and contemporary social satire, thus lending deeper meanings to horror.
Cinematography: The shadowy, cramped spaces of the boarding school invoke claustrophobia, and so do the stifling dim lights of the interiors versus the sunlight flooding through the windows. The combination crafts an uneasy, dream-like atmosphere.
Themes & Symbolism
The themes within Qorin are not purely gratifying for a horror movie but actually intense. In its essence, it tells of the problematics that arise from blind obedience and the terrifying consequences of self-inflicted imprisonment in fear.
Religious Exploitation: The film critically examines how religious teachings can be manipulated by those wielding authority through Ustad Jaelani’s spiritual misuse. His dominion over the students is spiritual in nature, but also psychological, keeping them perpetually trapped in a mode of fear and guilt.
Duality of Self: The Qorin as an evil twin analogy encapsulates repressed desires and concealed guilt, serving as the critique on the dark aspects of oneself that society expects us to silence. The girls’ encounters with their Qorin are not just life and death struggles but self-identity reckonings.
Female Oppression: As a story set entirely in an all-girls boarding school, Qorin also delves into female oppression and autonomy. The strict regulation of the students’ lives mirrors domineering societal expectations placed on women to submit, obey, and maintain purity.
Fear of the Unseen: Psychological factors fuel much of the horror within Qorin, exploiting fears of the unknown alongside internal terror rooted in self-reflection facing perceived flaws and sins.Criticism Reception
At launch, Qorin was subject to mixed reviews but positive feedback overall. Viewers commended the film for its folklore horror elements and appreciating the thematic layers beneath it. Weizhao Wigs, played by Zulfa Maharani and Aghniny Haque were praised for their fervent performances.
Critically, the film was praised for its atmosphere and tension. This was attributed to its focus on building dread and suspense instead of the usual gore-driven horror. A few did mention that the pacing slowed in the second act, but the multifaceted rich symbolism was seen as a hindrance for character development.
Still, the film has been recognized as a contributor to the growing collection of intelligent Indonesian horror cinema, tailored after films like Satan’s Slaves and Impetigore.
Discussing The Film
Qorin does not conform to the image of a horror movie. Rather it stands as a contemplation on identity, power, and the lingering shadows of oneself. The approach taken by Ginanti Rona in merging Islamic spiritual notions of horror and social critique is uniquely Indonesian to the genre. With strong performances, her direction ensures that Qorin leaves an impression on viewers.
For enthusiasts of horror that intricates themselves into the very fabric of reality, Qorin is an experience that commands full attention. This game stands as a reminder that the most terrifying monsters in existence are often the people that we do not realize we have become.
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