Dance of Death, an Indonesian horror-mystery slated for release in 2024, is directed by Verdi Solaiman and has a screenplay written by Sukhdev Singh and Alim Sudio based on a story by Arumi E. Deeply intertwined with local culture and supernatural folklore, the film masterfully blends psychological tension with otherworldly horror. It explores themes such as guilt, memory, and the perils associated with neglecting history.
Plot Summary
The narrative kicks off as four old friends—Adit, Ricky, Yudi, and Aksan—are summoned to a rural village where they interned as college students seven years ago. The journey is nostalgic to them, but the village inexplicably feels off, shrouded in an ancient curse. Seeking an escape from their mundane lives, the friends initially look forward to the carefree reunion. Little do they know of the ancient relics and curses intertwined with their sins that lie awoken.
During their internship, the group became enmeshed in a tragic event linked to Sulastri, a young woman undergoing training to become a Ronggeng dancer—held as a symbol of reverence and objectification within Javanese culture. Her spirit now seeks vengeance for her untold story.
As the friends experience unsettling visions, strange occurrences, and an even more pronounced feeling of impending doom, they must reckon with their past actions—or lack thereof. Each of the friends confronts Sulastri’s ghost in different forms: through reflections, dreams, whispers, and eventually, tangible attacks. The longer they stay in the village, the more their secrets are exposed.
Characters and Performances
Claresta Taufan Kusumarina as Larasati
Larasati carries much of the emotional weight of the story. A villager connected to Sulastri, she is both a spectator and a participant in the supernatural events unfolding. Claresta offers a moving performance as she strikes a delicate balance between innocence and the horror that surrounds her.
Cindy Nirmala as Sulastri
Sulastri, the ghostly figure of the dancer spurned, is one of the film’s highlights. Cindy Nirmala does not portray her simply as a monstrous figure, but as a deeply sorrowful and vengeful spirit. Her appearances in traditional dance costume—face painted and body adorned with ceremonial garb—are some of the most haunting and metaphorical moments of the film.
Chicco Kurniawan as Hadi, Krisjiana Baharudin as Ricky, Revaldo as Adit, Dito Darmawan as Yudi, and Patty Sandya as Ayu form the ensemble cast. Each actor adds layers of guilt, denial, or fear into the interplay of grief that unfolds over time, reflecting how trauma and responsibility reshapes friendships.
Direction and Style
A more atmospheric film, focusing on spiritual dread rather than overt horror, is crafted by Verdi Solaiman. He creates a pervasive sense of unease using long tracking shots of rice fields, forest paths, and dark, ceremonial halls. The faces of the characters are shot in such a way that the audience can contrast their stillness with the turbulence of their minds.
Obscured faces and figures shrouded in shadow are illuminated by oil lamps, candlelight, and twilight, creating a timeless atmosphere. A rural village largely untouched by modernization further adds to this quality. This village serves not simply as a setting; it assumes an active role in shaping the decisions, fears, and fate of every participant.
Set and costume design stands out notably in the film. The Ronggeng dance scenes are hauntingly beautiful; a blend of fear and elegance. Every single action from the swaying fabric to the tinkling of the ankle bells holds tremendous spiritual significance.
Sound and Music
The strategic use of chants, traditional instruments, and silence demonstrates effective sound design. One of the striking motifs in the film is a Dancer’s anklets which, from a distance, can be heard softly, growing progressively louder as Sulastri’s presence draws near.
Traditional Javanese music is featured in the score, which is made up of gamelan and bamboo flutes together with ambient sounds. The combination creates a disturbing soundscape that keeps the audience on edge, especially during the night when supernatural elements are at play.
Themes and Symbolism
Guilt and Accountability
Every main character has either acted or remained indifferent towards Sulastri’s fate, and they all share responsibility for it. The ghost does not simply seek revenge; rather, she demands acknowledgment for her suffering and the closure she never received in life.
Tradition vs. Modernity
The friends returning from overseas for their holiday represent a local cohort that was once dismissive of local customs. Their lack of respect for spiritual rituals brought disastrous consequences. The film serves as a reminder of the perils that lie behind neglecting cultural heritage and the wisdom it contains.
Ritual and Redemption
The villagers believe Sulastri’s spirit cannot rest without the performance. Only an ancient dance ritual meant to honor the dead can shatter the curse. They must participate in the ritual they once mockingly dismissed.
Memory and Suppression
The film illustrates how people, and even societies, choose to bury uncomfortable realities. Death of Sulastri is a topic covered in years of silence for the villagers. The group of friends who returned to the village also attempted to erase the memory. However, memory is relentless in resurfacing, often in nightmarish ways.
Climax and Resolution
One of the friends attempting to escape is met with a gruesome fate in the surrounding forest. Realizing the only way to break the cycle is to confront the past, the remaining friends seek out the village elders to perform a purification ritual.
In a deeply harrowing finale, Sulastri’s honored friend dances in the Ronggeng dress while pleading Sulastri’s spirit for forgiveness. The ghost emerges, simultaneously terrifying and tragic, waltzing with the music. There is a shift during that connection. Sulastri unleashes her rage, but the truly unrepentant pay the price.
The transformation of the survivors is visibly apparent as they return to the city. The fading sound of ankle bells in the background suggests the possibility that the past is put to rest—but it remains uncertain.
Last Reflections
Ronggeng Kematian emerges as a deeply impactful horror film that resonates with viewers while emphasizing atmosphere over cheap thrills. Its pacing may not adhere to conventional standards, but its rich layers and slow build serve as a captivating strength.
This film is both a haunting ghost story as well as an exploration of themes concerning regret, memory, guilt, and the quest for justice. Furthermore, the integration of Indonesian folk dance and traditional lore differentiates it from run-of-the-mill genre entries.
Evaluation
Ronggeng Kematian foremost stands out as a must-see for enthusiasts of psychological horror, folklore-driven narratives, and Southeast Asian cinema. The film serves as a disquieting dose of the unsettling reality that emotions, buried truths, and traditions will ultimately resurface, no matter how deeply they are hidden.
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