Mysteries on the Mountain: A Review of Kuncen (2025)

 

Release Information

Kuncen is an Indonesian supernatural horror film released in Indonesian cinemas on 6 November 2025. The film is directed by Jose Poernomo and produced by HERS Productions. The main cast includes Azela Putri as Awindya, Mikha Hernan as Mojo, Vonny Felicia as Agnes, and supporting roles from Davina Karamoy and Cinta Brian. The story takes place around the eerie and mystical environment of Gunung Merbabu, which becomes the center of the film’s supernatural conflict.

Synopsis

(Spoiler Light)

The story follows Awindya, a high school student who becomes anxious when her boyfriend goes missing during a hike on Gunung Merbabu. After waiting 24 hours with no news, she persuades her friends Mojo and Agnes to accompany her to the mountain to look for him.

When they arrive, they discover unsettling news. The mountain’s “kuncen,” or spiritual guardian, has recently died under suspicious circumstances connected to dark occult practices. Without a kuncen to maintain balance, the mountain is believed to be unstable and dangerous.

During their search, Awindya and her friends meet Yoga and Diska, two strangers who are also looking for missing friends. Together, they begin a journey into the depths of the mountain, where they encounter supernatural disturbances, unexplained phenomena, and the terrifying consequences of a sacred role left vacant.

The film combines folklore elements, spiritual mystery, and survival tension rooted in the cultural significance of mountain guardianship.

Personal Analysis and Impressions

Emotional Horror at Its Core

What stands out is how the film ties its horror to fear, uncertainty, and cultural belief. The disappearance of loved ones, the desperation of searching, and the shock of discovering the kuncen’s death all add emotional weight. The horror is not random. It grows from a disturbance in spiritual balance and the characters’ fear of the unknown, which gives the story a psychological edge.

Atmosphere and Cinematic Style

The setting plays a major role in the film’s scares. Gunung Merbabu, with its misty trails and dense forest, creates a natural sense of isolation. The film uses quiet moments, long shadows, and narrow paths to build tension. Instead of relying on loud scare scenes, it focuses on mood and silence, making the environment itself feel hostile.

The pacing remains steady and concentrates on the core mystery. There is little filler, and the sense of being lost both physically and spiritually carries through the entire runtime.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• A culturally grounded premise that enhances the horror

• Effective use of mountain atmosphere to create tension

• A blend of supernatural threat, folklore, and emotional stakes

• Believable dynamics among the main group of characters

Weaknesses

• Supporting characters receive limited exploration

• Some moments follow familiar folklore horror patterns

• Viewers expecting continuous shock scenes may find the film more subtle

Who Should Watch Kuncen

This film is suitable for viewers who enjoy atmospheric horror rooted in cultural tradition. If you appreciate stories about spiritual imbalance, folklore, and the fear of the unknown, Kuncen delivers a strong and focused experience.

It may feel calmer for those expecting nonstop scares or action heavy horror, but it succeeds in creating dread through environment, silence, and spiritual mystery.

Conclusion

Kuncen offers a tense and atmospheric horror experience centered on the mysteries of Gunung Merbabu and the role of a spiritual guardian. It builds fear through folklore, environment, and emotional stakes instead of relying on loud surprises. While it has its limitations, the story leaves a lasting impression through its mood and cultural grounding.

My score is 7 out of 10.