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Betina's Devil Followers Review: Betina's Devil Followers is a horror film from Indonesia, helmed by director Rako Prijanto and written by Prijanto and Anggoro Saronto. The movie features a talented cast including Mawar de Jongh, Hanggini, Sara Fajira, Hans de Kraker, and Adipati Dolken, among others.

Plot:

When Sumi's father experiences a tragic event that leaves him unable to work, she encounters a sinister and intriguing presence that urges her to commit despicable acts. While initially improving her life, Sumi soon realizes that following the devil comes with its own dire consequences.

Review:

Right from the start, Betina's Devil Followers attempts to establish an edgy and gruesome atmosphere. The opening scenes feature close-ups of Sumi's father's decomposing leg and its subsequent removal, setting the tone for what we expect to witness throughout the film. However, that's not exactly what unfolds onscreen.

This horror flick puts great effort into being creepy from the get-go but instead ends up being quite amusing. The pale-faced devil who influences Sumi's choices tries hard to be unsettling, but it fails to deliver the desired impact. In fact, the devil's childlike laugh only manages to confuse and elicit awkward laughter from the audience. The only truly horrifying element repeatedly shown is Sumi's father's bloody stump of a leg, which quickly becomes monotonous.

Rather than delving into the psyche of a single protagonist, the movie shifts its focus outward, attempting to construct a gory narrative elsewhere. Unfortunately, this only exacerbates the situation, as the filmmakers fail to address the existing issues and instead try to cover them up with more chaotic incidents. Personally, the Devil's incessant laugh annoyed me more than anything else; it constantly resurfaces, leaving you with an urge to slap someone.

One of the film's notable flaws, titled "Women Following the Devil" in Indonesian, is the complete lack of suspense. Aside from a few ineffective jump scares, there is nothing that captivates the audience or induces fear. The film feels awkward and flat, and the excessive gore fails to compensate for the lack of genuine horror. It is difficult to care about the deaths or gruesome scenes when characters are introduced briefly and fail to establish any emotional connection.

Betina's Devil Followers shows no interest in developing its "anti-hero" protagonists, nor does it make any of its characters remotely believable. In their attempt to appear scary and menacing, every character ends up becoming a joke, with the makeup and acting falling short of creating an authentic atmosphere. I can't help but wonder if this movie is a terrible joke on the viewers, perhaps intended as a parody. It almost feels like a test of our endurance.

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Setting aside my frustration, I found it intriguing how quickly the people in this remote village resort to making deals with the devil. It presents an interesting concept – how easily evil can infiltrate a desperate person's mind when they are at their lowest point. This could have been a compelling drama or a subtle horror film if the creators had focused on the characters and their inner and outer turmoil, instead of the chaotic narrative presented.

As a peculiar subplot, the film introduces elements such as dead babies, extramarital affairs, and a mentally unstable man murdering women. Unfortunately, the person behind these events goes on a long monologue that fails to evoke fear or excitement. Sari's storyline is a superfluous addition that adds nothing substantial, and Hanggini's portrayal of the character feels out of place. The final confrontation is, at best, comical, quickly becoming tedious and bothersome.

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That being said, it's not solely Mawar Eva de Jongh's fault for her underwhelming performance as Sumi. The lackluster direction throughout the film contributes to its overall mediocrity.

Final Thoughts:

This movie is ultimately disappointing. As a fan of Indonesian horror, I've witnessed their success in almost all their previous chilling endeavors. However, Betina's Devil Followers falls into the category of "what's the point?" It meanders aimlessly, offering no satisfying conclusion. It's best to invest your time in something else instead of watching this one!

Betina's Devil Followers is currently available for streaming on Netflix.