This movie is a horror film inspired by a real urban legend from a village in Semarang, Indonesia. The story of Sumala has been widely discussed in local podcasts, and the village is known for its strict rule prohibiting people from going outside after Maghrib. According to witnesses, a boy was killed by Sumala while retrieving a lost ball, and his body was later found in a river. These chilling accounts have contributed to the legend’s eerie reputation.

However, the film takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on the firsthand ghostly encounters reported by multiple visitors to the village, it chooses to dive into the backstory of Sumala, a narrative that may or may not be true. This decision weakens the horror aspect, as the film leans more into action-gore territory, resembling movies like *Chucky* and *Saw*, rather than delivering the eerie suspense expected from a ghost story.

One of the biggest letdowns is the acting. Darius Sinathrya, who plays the father, gives an unconvincing very poor performance, while Luna Maya, playing the mother, delivers a passable but uninspired role. The supporting cast is a mixed bag, some performances are solid, but others fall flat. Despite its tense atmosphere, the weak acting and misplaced focus on gore over mystery make the film less compelling than it could have been.

Overall, Sumala had the potential to be a gripping horror film, especially with the terrifying real-life accounts behind it. But instead of exploring the unsettling experiences of those who have visited the village of Sumala, it prioritizes an exaggerated origin story, making it feel more like an action-gore thriller than a true horror mystery.