Berlin, en.SERU.co.id — Joko Anwar has never been one to shy away from mixing scares with social commentary. In his latest film, Ghost in the Cell, he turns a high-security prison into a sharp reflection of Indonesia’s deeper problems.
The director explained to Variety that the prison represents a microcosm of the country.
“The system punishes the weak while protecting the corrupt,” he said.
In the film, the ghost haunting the prison is more than just a scary presence — it symbolizes a reckoning for long-ignored collective sins.
The film, which opened in Indonesian cinemas on April 16, 2026, follows rival gang members and guards who must set aside their differences to survive a vengeful supernatural entity. Through blunt dialogue and absurd situations, the film touches on several issues:
- The stark divide between rich prisoners who live comfortably and ordinary inmates who suffer.
- How corruption fuels division, keeping people fighting each other instead of the real problems.
- Environmental destruction, particularly deforestation, and its lasting consequences.
- The way religion, philosophy, and even dancing are sometimes used as coping mechanisms or distractions from harsh realities.
Critics have noted that the political commentary is direct rather than subtle. Certified Forgotten described it as “gestural” and broad, delivered through a wide range of prisoner characters — from small-time scammers to anti-corruption academics. While some felt this approach occasionally overshadows the emotional core, most agree it fits the film’s wild, anything-goes tone.
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Reviewers have responded positively overall. 8 Days called the prison a clever stand-in for a “malaise society,” while others praised how Anwar balances extreme gore, dark humor, and pointed satire without losing entertainment value.
In the end, Ghost in the Cell feels like classic Joko Anwar: funny, bloody, and willing to make viewers laugh while feeling a little uncomfortable. As the director himself put it, “Laughter should come with discomfort.”
*(Sources: Variety interview with Joko Anwar, Certified Forgotten review, 8 Days magazine, Asian Movie Pulse, and Berlinale Festival coverage)
