Just a week after director Hanung Bramantyo released his romantic comedy, "Get Married" in Indonesia, "Legenda Sundel Bolong", another of his creation, came right after. What can I say about it, over-creative or trying too hard?

"Legenda Sundel Bolong" is Bramantyo's second horror movie after "Lentera Merah" (2006). Both of his horror movies have the same storyline which revolves around politics. The only difference is that "Legenda Sundel Bolong" is set in the 60's in a small village where a conflict is brewing between the plantation workers and the owner.

The title, 'sundel bolong', is derived from the Indonesian belief that when a woman dies as a result of rape, she will rise from the dead and haunt people. Like the 'pontianak', sundel bolong have long hair and are clad in a white gown. The one difference is that sundel bolong have a hole in their lower back.

The story centres around Imah (Jian Batari Anwar), a beautiful dancer who marries Sarpa (Baim), the man she loves. The couple moves to another village where Sarpa lands a job as a leaf picker at Danapati's (Tio Pakusadewo) tea plantation. However, Danapati lusts after Imah. He sends Sarpa off to Sumatra to collect seeds and while Sarpa is away, Danapati and his men rape Imah. When Sarpa returns, Imah tries to keep the incident from him. However, the sundel bolong starts to appear, accompanied by unusual deaths in the village.

I must say that Jian Batari is very expressive and this suits her character as the sundel bolong. Also, her dance moves are flawless. Tio Pakusadewo's acting is realistic. This is not his first as a mentally sick man and womaniser. There is no doubt that he is the 'king' for this type of character. Even Baim, a newcomer, plays his role well as Sarpa.

Bramantyo has set up his plot really well. For example, incidents of women being rape, of tyrant landowners and conflicts between workers and owners really do happen in the real world and they are well portrayed here. Unlike most horror movies, the story is not complete, leaving the audience wondering what the movie is really about.

The cinematography is well done. The Indonesian 60's era atmosphere is apparent and scenes of the jungle and tea plantation are both breathtaking and even fearsome. Bramantyo uses flashbacks throughout the movie to show glimpses of the past, especially of Danapati's background. However, the only thing I see that is wrong with the movie is the editing, which causes the sequences to be disjointed. For example, the switch from the fighting scene to the 'bomoh' scene is so sudden that it leaves the audiences confused.

This movie is for those who are looking for scares with a bit of comedy thrown in.