Writer: Chen Pelf Yeen

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Watch this if you liked: "Ju-On"

Ratna (Nasha Aziz) and Ayu (Umie Aida) were comrades since young. Ayu has been staying with Ratna's family ever since her parents passed away. Now having grown up, Ratna hopes to change her family's lifestyle, so she applies for a job in KL. Fortunately, she was offered to work in a hospital. A misunderstanding takes place between her mother and Ratna before she leaves, causing her to go without her mother's blessings.

Seven years later, Ratna is still disturbed by images of a woman and a child since her first year in KL. That leads to her deciding to return home to meet her mother and sister, Atilia (Sharifah Amani). After meeting her sister, they both stay a few nights at their old house. Strange things begin to happen when Atilia is asked to play with a little girl.

I am not sure if you'll be able to follow the story as it starts with Ratna, who is working in a forensic department in the hospital where she has nightmares. Then it goes back to what happens before she is offered a job in KL. Some scenes in the movie are just flashbacks.

"Puaka Tebing Biru" has three different, but somehow related segments: a love story between Ayu and Mohsin- how they meet and their journey of love; between Ara and Ika- how Ara ignores gossips that 'her daughter' is a 'anak puaka' and lastly among Ayu, Mohsin and Ika- the supposedly happy family.

The segments are clearly structured and each story is understandable, therefore there will not be much confusion. Even if there is, every confusion resolved as it does not take long for the explanations to unfold. It is also quite narrative as the story is able to bring the audience to follow each character's personality and dilemma.

Credit should be given to actress Nasha for she has done a fairly good job here as the lead actress of "Puaka Tebing Biru". She is dramatic and emotional, especially when she is haunted by the images of a woman and a child, making her character very real. She has definitely given her best during the shoot.

Both Umie and Sharifah perform well in the movie too. Umie manages to bring out the scares when she stares with Nasha from a corner of the hut and also when she is talking to Nasha by the beach. Sharifah also appears quite spooky at times when she turns up unexpectedly, looking possessed with her big-round eyes. Fahrin, who is new in the movie industry, is not bad too as his emotions can be felt when he falls for Ayu.

Director-cum-writer Osman Ali has definitely put in a lot of effort in the production of "Puaka Tebing Biru". The cinematography and sound effects are so real I had goosebumps all over me throughout the movie. The unique storyline and the scenes where the 'puaka' appears in the middle of nowhere sums up another horror movie about 'puaka'.

In a nutshell, "Puaka tebing Biru" is a must-watch horror movie for horror-movie-goers.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008