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Sumala

Name: Sumala
Director: Rizal Mantovani
Released: 2024
Duration: 113 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2024

Director

Rizal Mantovani

Runtime

113 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Sumala is a culturally specific horror film that finds its strength in regional authenticity. By rooting the story in Indonesian urban legends, the film successfully moves away from Western-centric narrative norms and provides high ethnic specificity. However, the film primarily serves as a piece of cultural preservation rather than a social subverter. It lacks characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity and does not actively challenge traditional social hierarchies or include diverse identity narratives. While the film excels in cultural grounding, it remains limited by traditional genre clichés and a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does Sumala have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include non-traditional gender identities or LGBTQ+ narratives. It relies on traditional structures centered around straight relationships found in regional folklore-based horror.

How does Sumala portray gender?

Fair

A female spirit drives the plot through vengeance. However, her role is tied to supernatural retribution rather than challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Sumala?

Excellent

The film centers on an Indonesian urban legend, providing strong regional representation. This prioritizes non-Western cultural frameworks over Anglo-centric storytelling.

How does Sumala represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative uses localized mythology and non-Western spiritual frameworks. It explores community morality through the lens of a spirit seeking justice for historical wrongs.

Does Sumala include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence to suggest the inclusion of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the film's narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong regional representation through the use of Indonesian urban legends.
Effective prioritization of non-Western cultural and mythological frameworks.
Challenges the dominance of Western horror archetypes through ethnic specificity.

Limited or Absent