Penunggu Istana is a reality TV found footage movie about some good old fashioned ghost hunting!
Synopsis
A team of ghost hunters investigates an old palace where the crew of a TV series previously encountered some paranormal phenomena.
My Thoughts
Penunggu Istana was marketed as Malaysia’s first reality horror film, directed by Pierre Andre, and claims it used real footage from five students investigating strange happenings at Istana Billah.
You always want to believe these documentaries are real, but just in case you do, I can tell you that this movie is indeed fictional. Sara Ali, one of the students, is quite a well-known actress.
The film starts off fairly well, creating a decent atmosphere and some scenes in the mansion are quite eerie, with camera shots hinting at ghostly presences.
The locked room in the mansion is a great addition to the haunted house story, and its contents remain a mystery, and I liked the idea of the students faking evidence to get better grades, reflecting a cynical view of how people want clear proof of paranormal activity.
But as the film progresses, it loses its intrigue. Since it’s supposed to be a documentary, some of the logic is very questionable and it loses its way and I wasn’t a big fan of the ending.
It’s not a bad found footage film by any means though and it has its moments.
Good Points
Atmospheric Setting: The film uses the setting of an old, abandoned palace to create a half decent atmosphere
Cultural Elements: It incorporates some local folklore into the film and offers a glimpse into Malaysian ghost stories and traditions.
Cinematography: The film has some strong visual elements, with effective use of lighting and camera angles to enhance the atmosphere.
Bad Points
Weak Plot Development: The film’s logic is poor at the best of times and comes across as a bit dumb.
Second Half Falters: As the film progresses, the acting becomes less believable, with forced performances and the ending is a bit chaotic.
Predictable: It’s all a bit predictable in the end, so if you are after something new and interesting, this isn’t it.
Is It Worth Watching?
The film’s initial setup and atmosphere is quite engaging, and offers some decent moments, but is let down as the film goes on as it falters and doesn’t deliver on the early promise with some dumb logic thrown in.
But, it’s watchable and ok, nothing more.
Where To Watch
I haven’t found any streaming platforms with this on, not officially anyway.
Director and Cast
Director – Wan Hasliza Wan Zainuddin
Main Cast – Sara Ali, Nadzirah Ahmad Nadzri, Nor Zafirah Abd. Rahim, Mustaqim Mohamed Zaki, Amar Asyraf dan Kumpulan
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