Hantu Rumah Ampera (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

Indonesia 2009
Director: Rudy Soedjarwo
Cast: Ben Joshua, Nadila Ernesta, Rahma Landy, Meity Josefina, Nani Tandjung, Tantry Namirah
Rating: Remaja (Teen)
Language: Bahasa Indonesia
Release Date: 9 Juli 2009
Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

The Movie Review

Hantu Rumah Ampera film still 1


HANTU RUMAH AMPERA (Ghost in the House of Ampera Street)
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

The realm of motion pictures in Indonesia is constantly flocked with horror movies every year. Horror, mainly concerning supernatural elements, dominates the market. Unfortunately, most of them are just an exercise in simple storytelling, cheesy boo scares, vulgarity and tawdry poster art. I used to think Hantu Rumah Ampera was just another sensual/sexual b-movie horror because of the poster, but I was wrong, Hantu Rumah Ampera is a great horror film which is anything but cheesy. It even aptly combines horror and drama with a great twist.

Adit (Ben Joshua) lives alone with his mother, Mrs. Widya (Meity Josefina). And after the death of his father, they decided to move on to a house in Ampera Street. While celebrating his 22nd birthday along with his mom, friends, and his girlfriend, Lulu (Nadila Ernesta), everything is going normal and festive. But later that night, Lulu sends pictures of the birthday event to Adit through her cell phone, and Adit is shocked to see that someone (or something) is lurking behind him all the time.

Apparently, Adit is not the only one notices something strange has been going on in the house, Mrs. Widya has also witnessed paranormal activities taking place in their house. Thinking it's a haunted house, Mrs. Widya calls the previous owner, Mr. Sony (Yoes Astawan), but he blatantly denies her accusation. Amid this confusion and horror, Adit and his Mom are lucky enough to have a neighbor with sixth sense ability, Mrs. Shane (Nani Tandjung). Shane tells Adit that she'd been living in the neighborhood since the time of Dutch colonial and never saw any problems concerning Adit's house. But apparently Mrs. Shane is keeping something secret from Adit and Mrs. Widya. What is exactly happening in that house on Ampera Street? What does Mrs. Shane see in that house?

Hantu Rumah Ampera presents a very clever storyline with great twist that likely will trick most general moviegoers. I'm guessing the writers might have been inspired in some ways by Bruce Willis' movie back in 1999. I admire very much Hantu Rumah Ampera especially amidst the abundant sex-horror films, that is why I refrain myself to give away the important element and curb from telling the title of aforementioned Bruce Willis horror movie. There are some flaws in Hantu Rumah Ampera which I regret for not being edited out because it lessens the cleverness of the story. But overall, the horror and the boo scares are far far away from being tacky. Seriously, the horror is imbued pervasively that it actually becomes more subtle and disturbing compared to merely being shocked.

Another thing why I give this movie a high rating is the presence of drama. The drama is touching and emotional and at this time Hantu Rumah Ampera delivers another classy touch! Strengthen by solid acting, zero sensuality and highly neat editing, Hantu Rumah Ampera is a proud entry in the world of Indonesian cinema. It is a Must-See for horror fans worldwide.