Writer: Nor Azliany Mohamad

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Watch this if you liked: "Jangan Pandang Belakang", "Khurafat"

Ahmad Idham's latest effort "Senjakala" may not be as scary compared to Idham's last horror movie, "Jangan Pandang Belakang" in 2007, but the Malaysian director who prides in offering audiences something different in each of his movies, has done it again with his unique storytelling abilities. "Senjakala" establishes itself as a love story within a horror movie, by following a young couple that are haunted by a "hantu saka" (a supernatural entity that is inherited through ones family).

The story centres on a heartbroken Karlisa (Liyana Jasmay) who decides to head back to her mum's village when her fiance suddenly dies in a car accident. Upon her return, Karlisa meets Armand (Zahiril Adzim), a quiet and recluse boy that somehow manages to grab her interest. Through her curiosity, Karlisa finds out that Armand is an inheritor of a "hantu saka" that was supposed to be hers after Karlisa's mother refused to accept the cursed entity years back. Despite meeting Karlisa, the true heir of the "hantu saka", Armand refuses to relieve his burden and pass on the cursed entity to Karlisa as he finds himself falling in love with her.

As far as the acting is concerned, the chemistry between Liyana and Zahiril is evident throughout the movie as they had previously acted together as a couple in 2008's "KAMI the Movie". Due to that fortunate fact, scenes in "Senjakala" that features them both in lovey-dovey situations do not seem awkwardly faked. The movie also marks Liyana's fourth horror movie role, having previously acted in "Histeria", "Niyang Rapik" and "Khurafat". Veteran actress Ruminah Sidek or also known as Mak Mah, never fails to deliver in her role for the movie which is intensified by her body language consisting of eye contact and facial expressions that add another dimension to the horror feel.

The use of eerie sound effects that contributes to the scare factor of the movie is also worth the mention, as it manages to convey the element of surprise required to shock the audiences every now and then.

Overall, audiences would find the unique story of the movie to be quite interesting, as the theme of love revolving around a "hantu saka" has been rarely done, if not at all.

Cinema Online, 11 April 2011