Ikatan Darah

Ikatan Darah

Gruesomely stunning and terrifyingly brutal action cinema

Mega was a gifted pencak silat fighter, skilled in the Indonesian martial art, and she even had a chance at an international career. Now she fights for money at a small arena at night, putting herself at risk of yet another injury. Her older brother Bilal has a different idea for keeping the family afloat: he is a gambler who constantly gets himself into trouble. When he puts the family home up as collateral, Mega has to save not only her brother but also her own future. The problem is that the creditors are ruthless gangsters. They do not take no for an answer, and they settle financial disputes by breaking bones, pulling out teeth, crushing eyeballs, and chopping off heads.

Sidharta Tata, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror movies “Waktu Maghrib” and “Malam Pencabut Nyawa,” proves with “Ikatan Darah” that he is just as comfortable with action cinema. His film is dirty, brutal, and outrageously dynamic. Bones crack, windows shatter, tables splinter, and anything within reach can become a deadly weapon in a matter of seconds. The camera does not shy away from the characters’ pain, making every confrontation feel like a fight for survival rather than a perfectly choreographed martial arts showcase. This is cinema that will not let you sit comfortably in your seat: gruesome, brutal, and visually stunning at the same time.

Livi Ciananta delivers a terrific performance, combining emotional credibility with impressive physical prowess. After intensive training, the actress performed most of the demanding action scenes herself. If this is her action-film debut, it is hard to imagine a more powerful entrance. Indonesian cinema has just gained a new star. The film’s executive producer is Iko Uwais, star of the cult classic “The Raid,” while the legendary Uwais Team is responsible for the action choreography. After this screening, you may start looking at chairs, pipes, and bottles with a healthy dose of suspicion.