The Womb (2022) - Indonesian Horror Review
Rosemary's Baby meets Joko Anwar in Netflix's latest Indonesian release The Womb. (Inang in Indonesian)
Papa Don't Preach, Wulan is in trouble deep!
Poor, young Wulan, sympathetically played by Naysila Mirdad, has found herself landed with an unexpected pregnancy, a job loss and an impending eviction.
The charming young gent who put her in the family way wants nothing to do with Wulan and the baby - unless it's to pay for an abortion. Financial assistance and compassion are not to be found in her sleazy manager's office at the local supermarket where she works - unless she's succumbs willingly to his moustachioed, sexual advances. And the animal print shirt wearing landlord of the grotty slums where Wulan lives has had enough of waiting for the rent - he's moving new tenants in, and our heroine out.
It's a hard knock life indeed.
With no where else to turn and no one to turn to, vulnerable Wulan seeks comfort in a Facebook pregnancy support group. Through the group she's (somewhat mysteriously) approached by a kindly old support worker who offers her the chance to put the imminent baby up for adoption to an equally kindly old couple Eva (Lydia Kandou) and Agus (Rukman Rosadi).
An offer to die for.
Eva and Agus are patient and considerate, they don't push Wulan to make any permanent decisions without at least coming to live with them at their rural mansion for the duration of the pregnancy. Uneasy as she initially is, the promise of three hots an' a cot is too large a temptation to ignore.
As a survivor of childhood domestic abuse, Wulan embraces her newly elevated station in life and enjoys a honeymoon period of being spoiled and cared for by these perfect prospective adoptive parents. Never has she had such delicious food prepared for her around the clock. Yum! What's in this meat? Unidentified vitamin concoctions to make mama and baba healthy? Chug, chug chug!
All honeymoons come to an end, and as every person who's ever watched any pregnancy themed horror movie knows, if it seems too good to be true - it usually is.
With scary results.
Oh baby, baby...
After an unwanted visit from the local shaman who administers eerie maternity related folk practises on a terrified Wulan, the film switches from gritty, social issue drama to folk-horror. A series of gruesome nightmares follow and serve as a warning, and act as a catalyst for Wulan to trust her gut and get the hell out of this smiling, stifling, flower-filled prison.
Getting out won't be easy, especially with all the unexpected horrific plot twists that consistently build delicious tension and cause great hurdles for our expectant mother. What's a girl to do?!
From this point on The Womb emphasises creeping menace and expert story building over the usual jump-scare-signpost-every-cheap-tactic - and the experience is all the better for it.
The Womb is director Fajar Nugros' first film, however, you wouldn't know it.
Expertly acted with a great story and fleshed out, believable characters, The Womb is hypnotically engaging, with slick and clever cinematography, a magnificent setting that showcases the splendour of the Indonesian countryside and retro undertones with the styling.
Surprisingly graphic at times, this is a visceral exploration of (sadly) universal themes with an Indonesian flavour. Viewers can recognise and identify with elements of the plot, while still being intrigued by the distinctly Eastern exoticism of the rituals and superstitions.
Yes, the foreshadowing is a bit heavy-handed, and it's hard not to know what's coming - there's only so much you can do with this sub-genre of horror, but, Nugros works this to his advantage. The viewer can predict certain incidents and gleefully scream ignored-instructions at the TV - and remember, it's the journey - not the destination.
I give The Womb 8.5/10 - purely because I wanted to be scared as well as engaged and entertained, and I wasn't. But all the same, absolutely fantastic movie that will spice up any date night spent in front of the box.
(But if a delivery driver knocks on the door and tries to offer you some unexpected chicken-skewers, don't take them - send him back to the shop for the right address!)
Perfect for fans of Incantation (2022) and The Sadness (2021)
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