Pabrik Gula is an Indonesian horror film released last year under the direction of Awi Suryadi who has made several Indonesian box office horror movies. What made this movie particularly intriguing is the setting itself which is Pabrik Gula, a state owned sugar factory that has its long history and has existed even during the colonization era.For Indonesians, sugar factory buildings are associated with eerie and haunted places which sets the tone for the entire movie. But what kind of horror awaits the character in this film?

The movie starts with a group of villagers who were hired to work for the factory before the milling process started. Once they reach the place, they have some rules that the workers must obey. One of the rules was they should go back to their dorm once the bell rang at 9 PM and they should never wander around the factory. However, a strange occurrence started to happen once one of the workers wandered around after 9 PM and left their dorm. The milling was about to be halted and that could jeopardize the factory and we’re left to wonder how the characters would survive the catastrophe that awaits them.

There were quite a bit of jumpscare throughout the film and a lot of strange evil creatures. It’s a bit typical of Awi’s film adding that element into the movie. At the same time, the horror atmosphere was built because many of its viewers, including myself, grew up with strange tales of the Sugar cane factory. So, even without a solid story that weaves the movie, its eeriness and strange occurrence are quite familiar to many Indonesians.

I don’t typically watch horror movies anymore but this one intrigued me the most. First, I grew up around this kind of setting as my paternal family, from my great grandfather to even my uncle,were all working in this industry. So, I used to spend my school holiday in the type of houses in this setting, a colonial type of house with long doors and windows. Second, I am a bit familiar with the customs and some strange occurrences in this place. I wished I had a camera back then so I could document that life but I can tell you as much, the sugar cane factory and its surroundings can be that eerie and haunting. There were many traditions that were done before the milling ensuring the safety of its workers. Third, it has been a while since I watched horror and somehow this intrigued me the most.

For many Indonesians who have the same background as I do, watching this movie is like nostalgia. We grew up surrounded by these haunting tales and co-existed with it. The jumpscare in this movie though, was cheap but the spirits were scary enough to make anyone who's a scaredy cat jumped from their seat.

For everything that I saw in this movie, I would give it 5.5/10. Somehow, I wasn’t really sold with the entire story but I appreciate the horror and the nostalgia that it gave to me. But for those who aren’t familiar with this kind of setting, this film could be intriguing to watch because the setting itself is located in semi-dilapidated houses and buildings and the haunting music which complements it.

Here's the trailer in case you want to see it. For now, it is available on Netflix too.