Marni: The Story of Wewe Gombel

Marni: The Story of Wewe Gombel dives into Indonesian folklore with a dark, layered horror story about the vengeful spirit Wewe Gombel. Directed by Billy Christian, the film starts by recounting the tragic tale of Marni, a woman unjustly killed by her village, and transitions to modern times, where a single mother, Rahayu (Hannah Al Rashid), and her children move to a rural village with a dark past. As her son Aan mysteriously disappears, Rahayu is forced to confront both the village's secrets and her own turbulent emotions as a parent.

Christian's work goes beyond conventional horror by addressing complex issues, including the challenges of single parenthood, neglect, and the impact of poor parental choices, especially with children who have special needs. The narrative intertwines themes of guilt, resentment, and family dysfunction, adding emotional depth alongside supernatural elements

Though well-received for its acting-particularly Ismi Melinda as Marni and Shareefa Daanish in a haunting supporting role-the film's length and some repetitive sequences drew mixed reactions. However, the action scenes, choreographed by the Uwais Team, bring a fresh, kinetic energy to the horror genre, making the movie visually dynamic and suspenseful.