Bringing on the bizarre this week is psychological horror Shackled,
a tantalising thriller from female director Upi. A David Lynch
style murder mystery from Indonesia, Shackled was chosen to open the Terracotta
Festival’s Horror All-Nighter last June.
There's a murderer on the loose and two detectives are on
his trail, but they'll have to get in line, because the number one suspect is also
being stalked by a creepy old religious nut, a whispering nun with a really bad
habit, an ex-prostitute with murder in mind, the girl next door and her
domineering husband, and what can best be described as a giant Duracell bunny
with an axe to grind.
It doesn't take a genius to work out that things aren't what
they seem in this dark and delirious world. Elang (Abimana Aryasatya) is
haunted by images of bizarre murders involving a killer in a rabbit costume.
His efforts to solve the mystery and save the lives of those in danger have
trapped him in a downward spiral, where he himself is the chief suspect in a
murder case.
Elang believes that the mysterious rabbit figure is the key
to solving the mystery. Unfortunately, no one believes him. It's the kind of
film where everybody is a suspect, not least the creepy locals, who all act as
though they've seen one too many episodes of Scooby Doo. In an attempt to prove
his innocence, Elang is forced to unveil a long-buried secret. That's if the
bunny doesn't get him first.
The opening act is fragmented and fascinating, much like the
striking score that accompanies the twisted visuals. Fact and fiction collide
in the darkness as Elang slips further down the gaping rabbit hole. Dreams and
reality merge effortlessly in a fabulous first act that sees our despairing
protagonist haunted by visions of chaos and bloodshed.
It's all very atmospheric, even if Aryasatya's performance
is a little uneven at times. Restraint clearly isn't his strong suit, and
Elang's contorted journey loses its appeal the longer it goes on. How many
times do we need to see him shaking his head in disbelief, tortured by despairing
visions of murder? He's a little unhinged. We get it already.
Shackled is at its best in the first hour, and it's not
until two detectives arrive on the scene that the movie unravels. They take it in
turns to interview the local weirdos and the mystery surrounding Elang's past
is unveiled. Anyone familiar with the horror genre will know what to expect, as the mystery of the opening hour is
surrendered in favour of predictable plot twists and flagging interest.
There are some neat touches littered throughout but they
rarely take hold, and somewhat despairingly, Shackled is held captive by the
very chains that set it free. Ultimately, Upi's success in the first act is
also her undoing, because nothing that follows captivates in quite the same
manner. The characters aren't appealing enough to keep an audience engaged, and
as a result, the sombre exterior collapses like a house of cards.
For all its visual splendour, Shackled remains an
underwhelming viewing experience. There is much to recommend in the opening
hour, but clearly the demented rabbit hasn't learnt much from its fabled
friends. Unsettling and compelling out of the blocks, starting out strong can be
your undoing if you haven't got the legs to go the distance. If Upi can master
the art of storytelling as she has the art of filmmaking, in time, she'll
surely win the race. AW
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