Ghost in the Cell review
Dance like a murderous specter connected to the newest prison arrival is watching.
New movie reviews will not contain spoilers.
Ghost in the Cell
Directed by Joko Anwar
Written by Joko Anwar
Starring Endy Arfian, Abimana Aryasatya, Yoga Pratama, Mike Lucock, Danang Suryonegoro, Lukman Sardi, Kiki Narendra and Aming
Ghost in the Cell Review
Joko Anwar became a quick favorite of mine after doing a double feature of his Satan’s Slaves movies. I also enjoyed his Netflix produced (and occasionally directed) limited series Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams. While I, and the rest of the world, patiently await a third chapter in the Satan’s Slaves series…Anwar is back with Ghost in the Cell. Another slice of life taken from the dirty underbelly of Indonesia…this time, set inside of a prison. This is a much different movie than his Satan’s Slaves films…it feels much bigger in scope. It goes for big moments instead of high tension. Laughs and bloody spectacle over frights and dark corners. And it’s a blast.
Ghost in the Cell begins with a murder. Dimas (Andy Arfian) is a newspaper writer on a tough deadline. His boss snaps at him over the quality of his work one night…and that boss ends up very dead soon after. We don’t see Dimas commit the murder…though he does appear to be the only other person in the building. He maintains his innocence…correctly stating that he didn’t have the strength to arrange the body in the manner that it was found. Connected to a ceiling fan like a twisted art piece. It doesn’t prevent him from heading to prison, however. There he finds the gang culture and a hushed death sentence waiting to tear him apart. If what’s attached to him doesn’t kill everyone else first.
The title of the movie mostly gives away the game here so I’m not going to treat it as a secret. Truthfully, nothing in Ghost in the Cell is played for subtlety or mystery. This is as in your face as a story can be. Something is attached to Dimas…and it kills anyone around him who lets their anger get the best of them. Now imagine that in a prison. Yeah…it’s a fun movie.
The entity takes the appearance of the person it kills. Like a manifestation of their rage turned directly against them. That “posing the bodies like an elaborate meat based art show” motif repeats throughout the story. It’s gruesome stuff…and it looks awesome. The movie is full of memorable characters…some possessing that one trait needed to move the story along. One of his new friends can see the aura’s surrounding people and knows who is about to become their own worst enemy. Another has dance skills…and you’ll be entertained at how and why that matters. Anggoro (Abimana Aryasatya) is the closest thing to a main character Ghost in the Cell has. He’s the brave and protective leader of his clique. He should have been out by now but his need to stand up for others keeps extending his sentence.
It’s a likable group of prisoners (the movie makes sure to let us know this group is full of the non-violent type of inmate) dealing with a supernatural murder spree. If that sounds fun to you…it is. Anwar packs Ghost in the Cell with funny moments, violent moments and action. But he gets enough out of the little character moments to keep you invested beyond the entertainment. We learn where Dimas got this particular passenger…and watch groups of enemies forced to deal with its presence by trying to work together. The crooked warden and his psychotic head of security sure won’t be of any help. Bodies start piling up and there’s no call being made to the outside about it. They’re on their own.
The story moves at a good pace…picking up when things get ghosty but giving us enough time to get to know the people we’re following. Some of the sequences are goofy in the best possible way. When the only way to keep your aura from drifting into the danger zone is an impromptu dance routine or some mid-fight prayer time…things do tend to get weird. But that weirdness only adds to the entertainment value of Anwar’s latest film. Now…go make that Satan’s Slaves movie we’ve all been wanting, please.
Scare Value
Ghost in the Cell doesn’t try to repeat the intense suspense that Joko Anwar’s Satan’s Slaves are known for…and it is all the better for it. This is a fast-paced, fun ride with some likable prisoners caught in a supernatural situation. The kills are gnarly, the mystery is neat, the action scenes flow and the humor hits. Ghost in the Cell is a fun time at the movies.
3.5/5
Ghost in the Cell Link
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