"Agak Laen": Indonesian Diaspora's Must-See Horror-Comedy Hit
The numbers don't lie. Eight million Indonesians watched "Agak Laen"—there's something captivating about Muhadkly Acho's latest film. For the Indonesian diaspora in America, "Agak Laen" ("Something Different") offers a chance to share a slice of their homeland with friends. But it's the film's unique blend of horror and comedy that makes it worth watching in cinemas.
The film's haunted house setting cleverly reflects the characters' very real financial terrors. A son struggles to finance his mother's medical care. A young groom-to-be navigates the demands of his fiance's father for a grand wedding. Debt collectors relentlessly pursue a hapless debtor. Even the mistress of a wealthy man finds her life spiraling into unexpected territory. Each character, flawed yet relatable, evokes a strange sympathy within us. As their stories intertwine and find resolution, the film fulfills the promise of Imajinari's motto: "A good story is a good story."
Though the characters' financial struggles are weighty, the film skillfully balances horror with humor. The cast, all well-known comedians, delivers both broad, slapstick moments reminiscent of classic Warkop films and the kind of wry wit that would make Ernest and Dipa, the producers, proud. Their success was not by chance but through more than a decade of spearheading Indonesia's comedy community.
While set in Jakarta, the film's characters primarily speak provincial dialects. Bene, fresh off the success of his Batak-infused blockbuster "Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap" (still on Netflix), mixes other Indonesian accents and cultures this time.
Beyond its horror-comedy thrills, "Agak Laen" ultimately delivers on the promise of lighthearted entertainment. While enjoyable at home, there's something special about shared laughter in a cinema. If you're in America, this is your chance to experience a slice of Indonesian life in a surprisingly fun way.
