MINI REVIEW: Rahsia (2023) - The Arty Dans
DISCLAIMER: This review contains affiliate links. Clicking on any of the images below will take you to either Play-Asia, J-List or 365 Games for your consideration.
Clicking on these shopping links below and buying an item supports my work and keeps it free for everyone! Thank you for your support:
Mighty Ape: Games, books, movies, toys, music and more! A huge range of products at great prices and quick shipping. I’ve been using them for over a decade and can’t recommend them highly enough!
Malaysian horror movies - not common like their Indonesian brothers, but they can certainly match them in quality.
This remake of the popular 1987 film of the same name doesn’t stray too far from the familiar formula, and that works precisely in this movies favour.
[above] As I said in another review: “the eyes Chico, they never lie.”
It’s always a danger to remake a popular movie, especially if its well-loved and was already seen as a classic. Malaysia is not known for its awesome horror movies, but when they’re good, they’re really good.
And other than changing a few little bits of the original story around and modernising some other elements, this is a rather faithful reboot. While it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, it almost perfects all the elements within, if you can get past the rather slow start.
[above] The movie’s title roughly translates to “Secret” in English
PLOT
A woman, her husband and their two young children return to her father’s rather large house to celebrate his birthday. While on picnic by the beach, their son goes missing and the police get involved to search for him, however when she gives them a description of a figure she saw at the beach, they become suspicious of his disappearance.
As the days continue with no news of her missing son, she starts to witness more and more apparitions, slowly driving her crazy until an incident with her daughter triggers her husband to leave her.
Alone, she comes face to face with the figure, and she discover the horrible truth about what it’s done to her family.
ABOUT THE FILM
I mentioned that the first part of the film is rather slow, and there is a reason as the movie uses it to build up the rather complex backstory.
Part religion, part black magic, the movie really starts to find its pace after the son goes missing. And from them on, it’s almost relentless but not fatigue inducing.
There are the usual horror scares in the movie - such as the dragging by the legs or the mysterious self-playing piano - but the real creepy moments are when the apparition is shown on the screen, and then the effects the apparition’s appearance has on the woman.
Then it all culminates in a rather frantic ending that actually might be a tiny bit disappointing. especially as it does the modern horror movie trope of confusingly leaving itself open for a sequel.
What are my overall thoughts?
In regards to 2023 Asian horror movies, this would have to be in my personal top 10 so far, and unless there are any pearlers coming in the next three months I can’t see this film dropping out of that list.
It’s a solid production all-round, and one I would be very glad to recommend.
For your consideration: Clicking on these shopping links below and buying an item supports my work and keeps it free for everyone! Thank you for your support:
J-LIST: For Japanese pop culture items, including games, movies and adult products. Beware of NSFW content.
365 Games: Direct from the UK! Get great deals on the latest games, music, movies, toys, clothes and more!
Play-Asia: For the latest games, movies, figures, books, lifestyle products and other cool stuff direct from Asia! Great prices and low shipping.
Mighty Ape: Games, books, movies, toys, music and more! A huge range of products at great prices and quick shipping. I’ve been using them for over a decade and can’t recommend them highly enough!
Genre Horror
Director Shamyl Othman
Starring Nabila Huda, Fikry Ibrahim, Iman Corrine Adrienne
Original Title Rahsia
Country of Origin Malaysia
Release Date August 10 2023
ncG1vNJzZmismJqus8DYnZinq16owqO%2F05qapGaTpLpwvI6moKehXaeyt7XEsGSrmZiotqJ5kWlpbA%3D%3D