Review - Darah (2009)

Type: Feature film
Genre: Horror, slasher
Release date: Oct 8

Perhaps I shouldn't be in an utterly apathetic mood when writing a review, but after over nine thousand years of dawdling on what to say about Darah, I decided that there's not a whole lot, really.

I attended a special advance director's cut screening at Ngee Ann's movie theatre about two weeks before it was due to open in Singaporean cinemas. Darah is an Indonesian and Singaporean co-production, as well as the first film produced by Gorylah Pictures, a new production company.

The producer Gary Goh was there to talk about the making of the film. A lot of it was about budget and marketing and the nitty-gritty behind-the-scenes stuff that only manly filmmakers like myself would be interested in, but he did mention that Darah is essentially a feature-length remake of a short film that the producers spotted. The movie was completed in a fairly short time, and meant to put the production company on the map and grab some numbers. Therefore, don't expect anything revolutionary about this film.

I overheard the overall plot summary before the show even began: A bunch of friends finds a young girl stranded on the road. They send her home, but she persuades them to stay for dinner. Not long after, the house's inhabitants break out the chainsaw, led by a creepy woman(Darah). Bloodfest ensues.

The original short film that this movie was adapted from had an evil woman juggling several visitors around her house while she tried to kill them all without the rest noticing. Apparently this made for some interesting pacing and comedy. In Darah, they threw out the comedy, but kept the tension of simultaneous situations occuring all over the house. We even venture outside of the house a few times, and the plot pulls off just enough little twists to keep you attentive even after the blood starts splashing.

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The titular Darah is quite striking and eerie at the same time, despite the actress having her background in comedy(yep). She, along with the rest of her creepy chainsaw children are tanks. I can't quite say they're very badass, but they're definitely tanks. Every time the poor group of friends enter a fight with one of the bad guys, it's like watching a bunch of little people scurrying around throwing rocks at a tank while it leisurely drives around and shoots pain at them. Other than for Darah though, the acting doesn't stand out, and neither does the characterization or the script.

Like I said, nothing very new. I was told the movie has strong female characters, but I'm not the sort to be particularly impressed by feminism in art. The action-y bits are okay, plenty to go around and many different weapons of pain, including a crossbow and a sword (not together in the same scene though). Also, the little leaps of logic may or may not bother you; there is a scene where a policeman fires multiple shots at a target that's moving directly towards him and somehow manages to miss all of them.

I guess it's an alright film, but there are better things to watch. Only see if you're interested in what Indonesia/Singapore has to offer, or if you just need something to pass the time with some friends.