Perayaan Mati Rasa (2025) Review: A Moving Indonesian Drama About Family, Grief, and Letting Go

 

Perayaan Mati Rasa | 2025 | 2h 5m
Genre: Drama / Music | Country: Indonesia
Directors: Umay Shahab, Reka Wijaya
Writers: Junisya Aurelita, Santy Diliana, Yusuf Jacka
Cast: Iqbaal Dhiafakhri Ramadhan, Umay Shahab, Unique Priscilla
IMDb: 6.9
My Rate: 9/10

Ian feels increasingly distant from his family because he believes he has failed to achieve what his younger brother has. But the deeper truth is that Ian is the one who keeps withdrawing because he has not yet reached the expectations he has set for himself. Then, loss reminds him of what family truly means.

Warning

Contains scenes of violence, strong language, alcohol, and smoking.

 

Synopsis of Perayaan Mati Rasa

Ian (Iqbaal Dhiafakhri Ramadhan) is struggling to make his dream of becoming a musician a reality. However, he feels weighed down by his family's expectations, especially because his younger brother, Uta (Umay Shahab), is considered more successful than him.

Ian also feels that he does not receive enough affection from his father, a sailor who is rarely home.

Eventually, Ian distances himself from his family and spends more time with his friends, looking for auditions and gigs for their band. But their future remains uncertain because they have never achieved the success they hoped for.

One night, a disturbance breaks out during one of their performances. Unfortunately, Ian's father happens to be there to watch him and the band.

His father tries to calm him down, takes him away from the commotion, and offers him some advice. Ian, however, feels that his father is only putting more pressure on him and does not understand what he is going through.

Their disagreement grows into a painful silence between them, even though his father later apologizes through a voicemail. But they never have the chance to resolve things properly because his father must return to sea.

Just when Ian begins to see a little hope, another series of problems arrives. Their audition fails again. His mother suddenly suffers a heart attack and needs surgery. Then Ian receives even more devastating news: the ship commanded by his father has sunk during a storm.

One problem after another leaves Ian emotionally exhausted. Even so, he continues trying to appear strong in front of his family, even when he is falling apart inside.

Because his mother is still recovering, Ian and Uta decide to hide the news of their father's death from her. The two brothers work together to keep the secret, and their relationship slowly begins to improve.

But another storm arrives to test them once again.

Will Ian and Uta be able to overcome everything that has happened to their family?

 

Review of Perayaan Mati Rasa

Perayaan Mati Rasa is Umay Shahab's third directorial work and features several established actors whose performances are undoubtedly one of the film's strengths.

The film is beautifully presented, and the chemistry between the actors is clearly visible. Despite its long runtime, the film never feels unnecessarily boring. Instead, it takes the audience through a wide range of emotions. There are moments that may bring tears, but there are also lighter scenes that provide much-needed laughter.

The story is presented systematically, and one of the most memorable elements is the use of ocean depth as a metaphor for Ian's emotions. The deeper the ocean, the heavier the emotional burden he carries, until eventually he reaches a point where he feels he has to let go of everything.

The choice of words and the language used in the dialogue also contribute to the film's aesthetic quality. Some lines feel poetic without becoming overly complicated.

Music is another important component throughout the film. Viewers are treated to performances and original songs performed by Ian and his band, Midnight Serenade. Their songs were also released on Spotify, which makes the band feel more like a genuine project rather than something created only for the film.

What makes the music particularly effective is that it is not simply used as background accompaniment. The songs become part of the storytelling itself. Each song is carefully matched to the scene and helps represent the emotions experienced by the characters.

The cinematography is equally impressive. Several scenes use close-ups to capture the smallest details of the actors' expressions, allowing viewers to feel the emotional weight of each moment. The consistent color composition also creates a cohesive and artistic visual identity.

The performances are another major strength. Both the main and supporting cast deliver convincing performances, but Iqbaal Dhiafakhri Ramadhan stands out in particular.

His portrayal of Ian is especially moving because the emotional transitions never feel exaggerated. He can communicate Ian's pain in a restrained way that is still deeply heartbreaking.

One particularly powerful moment is when Ian watches a recorded video from his father and finally breaks down in tears. Another is the scene in the hospital corridor after he learns about his father's death. Both moments leave a strong emotional impact.

Some viewers may feel that the film tries to fit too many problems into one story, making the narrative feel crowded. But personally, I think this can also be understood as part of the film's realism.

Life does not always give us one problem at a time. Sometimes difficulties arrive one after another, leaving us confused about which one to deal with first. That emotional chaos is reflected quite naturally in Ian's experience.

The ending also leaves an important message about grief and acceptance. Losing someone we love is something that will eventually happen, often at a time when we are not prepared for it.

Learning to let go is painful, but returning to life and continuing to live well can also become a form of respect for the person we have lost.

The dedications shown after the film, accompanied by the father's final song, add another emotional layer and make the ending even more meaningful.

Overall, Perayaan Mati Rasa is a deeply heartfelt film that combines family, grief, music, and emotional healing. It is especially suitable for watching with family.

 

Memorable Scene

Ian watches the memory videos recorded by his father and begins to realize how much he has misunderstood his family all this time.

He had been so focused on what he believed he was lacking that he failed to notice the love his family had already given him.

The sadness on Ian's face and the tears that follow make this scene particularly powerful. The emotional weight feels sincere, and it is easy to understand why many viewers may feel moved by the moment.

 

Memorable Dialogue

"Letting go is the most sincere form of love."

 

Ending

Happy but Sad Ending

 

Recommendation

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(Aluna Uwie)