‘Sumala’ Review: A Bloody Tale of Revenge Based on an Indonesian Urban Legend
Sumala is good fun for fans of furious anger and violence.
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Table of Contents
What is Sumala About?
Sumala tells a disturbing origin story of a young girl who becomes a monster. The movie includes witchcraft, supernatural entities, possession, and a lot of violence.
Sulastri and Soedjiman are a wealthy couple who remain childless despite their best efforts. Soedjiman gives his wife an ultimatum: give birth to his heir within one year, or he’ll find a new wife. In desperation, Sulastri goes to a shaman who performs a ritual to get her pregnant at the cost of making a deal with a devil. The deal includes specific rules that, if not followed, will make life a living hell for Sulastri, her family, and anyone near them. Sulastri gives birth to twin girls, Kumala and Sumala, but a fateful decision made that night dooms everyone.
Sumala was directed by Rizal Mantovani. The script was written by Riheam Junianti, based on a story published online by Betz Illustration. Starring as twins Kumala and Sumala is Makayla Rose Hilli. Also appearing in featured roles are Luna Maya, Darius Sinathrya, and Ivonne Dahler.
Sumala Review
Sumala, both the character and the movie, doesn’t shy away from violence. Keeping in mind that most of the violence is perpetrated by and on a young girl, that should be the first thing to tell you whether or not you’ll want to watch. However, all of the violence is done in service of the characters and story, and it all has a point. So, as a tale of “good for her” revenge, Sumala is definitely worthwhile.
The majority of the story is told in a flashback. Or to be more precise, it’s a depiction of a story being told by someone in 1976, of events that supposedly took place over the course of 10 years between the 1940s and 1950s. The setup at the beginning of the movie involves Sumala killing a boy in 1976, so we know where the story is headed from the start. However, the point of the movie isn’t to surprise viewers with a girl who turns into a monster. The point is to show us the reasons why a girl is driven to be such a vicious killer. From that perspective, Sumala succeeds very well.
The hate and violence aimed at Kumala (I won’t spoil where or what Sumala is during the majority of the film) by her father and a group of bullies is severe. The movie does an impeccable job of putting viewers 100% on Kumala’s side. We want to see her get revenge in the worst way, and it is supremely satisfying when she starts to attack her attackers. The revenge plotline is the best part of the movie.
Sumala also looks good most of the time. The visuals might be a little too pristine for a movie this tonally dark and gritty, but that’s not really a fault. It’s more of a creative decision, and it’s fine. There are more than a few shots and scenes that are extremely memorable from a visual standpoint.
Less attractive is the abundant use of CGI blood. There are practical gore effects as well, and they’re welcome additions that look quite good, but the majority of the violence is done digitally. The slicing of flesh and the flowing of blood doesn’t look great in these instances. It’s not a deal breaker, but it is a slight letdown.
One strange aspect of the movie is how the characterizations of Kumala and Sumala’s parents are handled. Her father is completely vile. He has no redeeming qualities, so when it looks like he’s about to get some sort of forgiveness arc late in the movie, it feels weird. Thankfully it doesn’t last long, but he gets a lot of focus in the final scenes rather than Kumala/Sumala. The girls’ mother also gets a moment of unearned sympathy. She is also a victim in the beginning of the movie, but after a while she becomes almost as bad as her husband. She, too, receives an almost sympathetic light for a moment, and it’s strange. It’s as if the director shot their scenes like a traditional horror film, forgetting that this it’s mostly built as a revenge movie.
However, Kumala and the woman who takes care of her, Mbok Sum, are both written and performed well. Ivonne Dahler, who plays Mbok Sum, is probably the best actor in the movie. Makayla Rose Hilli should also be commended for taking on the dual role of Kumala and Sumala who have very different personalities. She has to switch back and forth between the characters, sometimes within the same shot. She is impressive.
Sumala Rating and Recommendation
Star Rating: 3 out of 5
Sumala is an entertaining movie for fans of supernaturally-enabled revenge. The story fails to sufficiently build up to some of the moments which should be more dramatic. But if you’re looking for blood and violence in an interesting setting, it’s a good time.
Further Reading
- Kromoleo Review: An Average Indonesian Curse Movie
- Grafted Review: A “Good For Her” Body Horror Delight
- Dark Match Review: Pro-Wrestling Horror that Delivers Action but Loses Focus
- Best Indonesian Horror Movies
- Best Revenge Movies
- Demonic Possession Movies
- New/Upcoming Horror Movies
- Best and Worst Horror Movies of 2025
