Cast: Erin Malek, Erynne Erynna, Ruminah Sidek, Raja Gosnell, Riezman Khuzaimi; Director: Ahmad Idham; Producers: David Teo, Erynne Erynna; Screenwriter: Ahmad Idham; Editor: Ahmad Mustadha; Genre: Horror; Cinematography: Indra Che Muda; Distributor: Metrowealth Production SDb Bhd; Location: Malaysia; Running Time: 82 min.;Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Kazman (Riezman Khuzaimi) is a responsible husband to wife Sufiah (Nanu) and father to siblings Eli (Nur’Arina) and Lisa (Erynne Erynna). Despite Sufiah's objection, Kazman still buys a house near a river. As soon as they move in, people in the neighborhood warn them about the mysterious house. It does not take long that all members of the family start to experience a strange presence and hear sounds including those of the invisible "congkak" playmate of the youngest child Lisa. When Sufiah thinks the "congkak" board is an evil matter, she throws it out of the house and into the river to get rid of it and to free Lisa from a mysterious friend. Unfortunately getting rid of the "congkak" board does not end what the family thinks is the cause of the horrible presence in their newly acquired property but only signals the worst that is yet to come like the disappearance of the two daughters. A concerned old folk Pak Tua a.k.a Uncle (actor's name) volunteers to help them and seeks their cooperation in the name of Allah, the Merciful God. Will they ever be at peace in this house?
“Congkak” is actually a board game with parallel holes and played with tiny pieces of stones by two players. But the film is not about this game but rather about a family in a newly acquired house haunted by a ghost that looks like a monster. There are loopholes in the story because except for the information that no one has occupied the house for the last 20 years, it is not clear why the house is being haunted and what is the reference to the "congkak" game. Somehow, one cannot help thinking that the director seems to just put the effects and sounds together to jolt the viewers from their seats. A ghost with a monster-like face is a bit off and unrealistically presented as a friend to a child. Actingwise, some of the actors perform well especially (Riezman Khuzaimi) and (Erynne Erynna). Overall, it is technically an overdone horror film.
Though the film's Malay context of being paternalistic may not be applicable, in a major family decision like acquiring property, it is really good to consider the views of the members especially those between husband and wife. It is very sensible for this film to show the concern and presence of mind of a father in time of a family crisis. In the same way it is commendable that a concerned neighbor capable of helping the disturbed family to drive away the bad spirit does not have second thoughts of taking a risk to do that. More importantly, the film shows that a strong faith in merciful God Almighty is the best weapon to fight evil spirits.
