Movie Review Interchange (2016)

 

Interchange | 2016 | 1h 42m
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller | Country: Malaysia-Indonesia
Director: Dain Said | Writers: June Tan, Redza Minhat, Nandita Solomon
Cast: Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, Shaheizy Sam, Nicholas Saputra, Prisia Nasution
IMDb: 5.2
My Rate: 7/10

Adam, a forensic photographer, gets caught in a mystery that defies logic as he helps his colleague, a detective, investigate a series of gruesome murders.

Warning:

Contains scenes of murder and disturbing pictures.

 

Synopsis of Interchange:

A horrific murder happens again. A similar murder that went unsolved some time ago. Detective Man (Shaheizy Sam) asks Adam (Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin) for help in solving the mystery of the glass-shaped photo pieces found at the crime scene. Adam is a forensic photographer who took pictures for the previous case. However, as a result of the case, he experienced trauma and decided to stop working temporarily.

During his break, Adam busies himself taking photos and observing people in his apartment. Until he accidentally meets Iva (Prisia Nasution), a mysterious woman who has just moved into the apartment across from him. Adam accidentally learns of Iva's connection to the photo pieces found at the crime scene.

Adam goes to his regular photo studio to try to fix and get prints of the glass photos. However, while he is confused looking for the location of the photo studio, Iva appears and helps him get there. Adam doesn't know that Iva knows the owner of the photo studio quite well. Adam realizes there is something mysterious about Iva that is beyond his logic. Especially when Adam finds photos of Iva and several murder victims in an antique book he finds.

Is Iva connected to the serial killings?

 

Review:

Interchange is a Malaysian film that also features several well-known Indonesian actors such as Nicholas Saputra and Prisia Nasution. The story idea is also quite interesting, taking inspiration from stories of indigenous tribes in Kalimantan. Where there is an intersection between the modern world and myths, depicted very beautifully. However, there are still many things that can be optimized to produce a more interesting story.

The choice of music and sound effects is quite good and original. In addition, it also supports the atmosphere in each scene. The camerawork, camera movement, and color composition are quite good. Many details are shown in detail, although the use of AI/animation feels less smooth. However, it is quite satisfying.

The acting of the actors, both main and supporting actors, is quite impressive. The storyline and conflict are also presented systematically. The dialogue used is also quite interesting. The inconsistent use of language, where Malay and English are mixed, may confuse the audience. Although this is probably a natural and common thing in Malaysia. However, it is better to be consistent with the use of one language as the dominant language compared to the mixed language.

There are several questions that arise during and after watching this film. The story says that they have lived hundreds of years ago. Surely the murders didn't happen just once or twice, considering the people in the book are quite numerous. However, why did the police only take it seriously during the second case. Also, it is said that they are from Kalimantan, how did they end up in Malaysia?

The reason why Adam is the main character is also not explained well. Why, out of thousands of people, is Adam the important person in the story. The connection is not clearly visible, the background is not built well. There is also no clarity on how the owner of the photo studio became part of the case. What is his relationship with Iva, why does he want to help Iva?

Overall, this film is quite interesting and worth watching. Although there are still many parts that can be optimized.

 

Memorable Scene:

Belian has to transform himself into a bird before carrying out a murder. During the scene of Sani's murder, the transformation process is shown in detail. This makes the scene quite eye-catching and leaves an impression on the audience.

 

Memorable Dialogue:

"Living in eternity is pointless, a waste of time."

 

Ending:

Sad Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to watch.

 

(Aluna)