Community Rating
KKN at Desa Penari
Fit for children's viewing
- Horror and scary content: The Film contains spooky scenes such as ghost sightings, possessive spirits, and tragic deaths (e.g., the mysterious deaths of Bima and Ayu), which can cause fear or trauma in children.
- Adult Elements: The uncut version (for ages 17+) includes erotic scenes, such as intimate relationships between characters, which are inappropriate for young audiences. Even the cut version (for ages 13+) still contains creepy elements and complex themes such as violation of Customs and mystical consequences.
- Complicated themes and morals: The story deals with violations of cultural norms, betrayal and fatal consequences, which are difficult for children to understand and are intended more for an adult audience.
- Visual and sound effects: The use of jumpscare, suspenseful gamelan music, and visuals such as Monkey carcasses or possessed characters can be emotionally disruptive to children.
- Public Response: An upload on X showed concern about minors being allowed to watch this film in theaters, asserting that the content was not appropriate for them.
This content is restricted!
Help us review the content you've watched. Login here.
Complete synopsis of KKN in Desa Penari
KKN at Desa Penari is a 2022 Indonesian horror film directed by Awi Suryadi, adapted from a viral Twitter thread by SimpleMan (@SimpleM81378523) which is claimed to be based on a true story in 2009. Film ini diproduksi oleh MD Pictures dan Pichouse Films, dibintangi oleh Tissa Biani (Nur), Adinda Thomas (Widya), Aghniny Haque (Ayu), Achmad Megantara (Bima), Calvin Jeremy (Anton), dan Fajar Nugraha (Wahyu). The story tells the mystical experiences of six students while undergoing a real work course (KKN) in a remote village in East Java, known as “Desa Penari” because of its association with a supernatural figure named Badaruhungan, the spirit of a Javanese dancer who haunts the village. Here is the most complete synopsis Based on the film and original story sources, including versions Uncut and Luwih Dowo, Luwih Medeni (extended version).
The beginning of KKN
The story begins in 2009, when six students from a university in East Java—Nur, Widya, Ayu, Bima, Anton, and Wahyu—join a KKN program as a graduation requirement. They chose a remote village in eastern Java, disguised as a”dancing Village". The village selection was initiated by Ayu's observation with her brother, Ilham, who convinced her that the village was suitable for the KKN program. Although initially Pak Prabu, the village head, hesitated to give permission, Ayu managed to persuade him with project plans, such as restoring the function of the ancient pool that was once used by the village dancers.
Upon arrival at the village, the students are greeted by a beautiful but mysterious rural atmosphere. Pak Prabu warned them not to pass through the Forbidden gate that separates the village from the forest called Tapak Tuas, a place that is believed to be haunted. Nur, who has a sensitivity to the supernatural, immediately felt the strangeness from the first day. He saw the figure of the old grandfather staring at him sharply and felt his shoulders heavy while visiting the ancient pond. Widya also heard the sound of gamelan from the forest, although there were no other villages nearby.
Rising mystical events
The early days of KKN went relatively smoothly, but oddities began to emerge. Nur often saw sightings of beautiful dancers dressed in Javanese costumes, while Widya heard unnatural song and gamelan sounds. One night, while bathing, Widya felt noticed by an invisible figure, and Nur saw the invisible dancer washing her body in the bathroom, making her scared. Widya also had a strange experience when he and Wahyu got lost in the forest after their motorcycle broke down while shopping in the city. They meet a grandfather who directs them to a Javanese dance performance in the middle of the forest. They were given food, but when they returned to the village, it turned into a monkey carcass.
Meanwhile, Bima began to show a change of attitude. He often disappeared at night, and Anton found offerings under his bed and heard a woman's voice from Bima's room. Nur suspects that Bima and Ayu have a secret, especially after seeing them arguing about the bracelet that should have been given to Widya. Apparently, Bima had dreamed of meeting a dancer named Dawu, who gave him a bracelet to “bewitch” Widya into loving him. However, Ayu, who has a crush on Bima, keeps the bracelet for herself in exchange for having sex with Bima in Tapak Teras, a forbidden place. Their actions violate the village's taboo and trigger the anger of Badaruhungan, the spirit of the dancer who rules the village.
Peak of terror and disclosure
Tensions rise when villagers suddenly storm the joglo house where the students live, thinking Widya is a snake due to supernatural influences. Pak Prabu suggested that the KKN be stopped, but Ayu insisted on continuing. Nur, increasingly suspicious, goes to Tapak Tuas and catches Bima and Ayu alone, confirming their offense. That night, Nur is possessed by an old grandmother (Mbah Dok) who warns Widya that one of them will not survive, but she promises to protect Nur from Badarihwara. After waking up, Nur found Dawu's bracelet in Widya's bag, which was apparently placed by Ayu as part of an agreement with Badaruhungan.
The situation became even more tense when Bima, under the influence of Badarihwara, went to the footprint and found the residents naked and dying. Widya, who followed him, saw the Dawu dance performance in an abandoned hall and saw Bima surrounded by green scaly snakes. At the same time, Nur found Ayu dying in bed, as if her body was controlled to dance endlessly by Badarihwara. Villagers call upon Mbah Buyut, a local shaman, who reveals that “Dawu” is the title of the village dancer, and Badaruhungan is the spirit of the dancer who demands the sacrifice of the Virgin for an ancient dance ritual. Ayu was used as an intermediary to ensnare Widya, but because Ayu failed, she and Bima became victims.
Cover and consequences
Although the KKN was eventually stopped, the tragic fate befell Bima and Ayu. Bima died three days after returning from the village, supposedly screaming about snakes. Ayu, who continued to “dance " in a coma, died three months later. Their parents picked up their children by force, although Widya begged them to stay in the village to be rescued. Nur and Widya, who survived, told SimpleMan their stories in an interview, asking that the names of people and places be disguised in honor of the victims.
Versions Uncut adding erotic scenes between Bima, Ayu, and Badarihwara, as well as the background of how Nur and Ayu get kkn permission. Versions Luwih Dowo, Luwih Medeni (longer, scarier) extends the duration by 40 minutes of new scenes, including the opening of the post-KKN documentary, explanations of KKN activities, and a more in-depth epilogue. This new scene emphasizes the Javanese proverb of ibu Widya:” water always flows to the East, in the East all things come together, from the good to the worst, " as a harbinger of doom.
Background and Meaning Of The Story
The story of the KKN in Desa Penari initially went viral in 2019 through SimpleMan's Twitter thread, which consists of two perspectives: Nur and Widya. The story combines elements of horror with social intrigue, such as the violation of norms and the consequences of breaking cultural taboos. The Dancing village is described as having a tradition of dances to appease the forest Jinn, with Virgin dancers as sacrifices, a practice that ceased over time until the presence of the students re-ignited it. The Film emphasizes the importance of maintaining manners and manners in a foreign place, as well as the consequences of reckless actions.
The Film was a huge success, becoming the highest grossing Indonesian film of all time with over 9 million viewers, losing only to Avengers: Endgame in Indonesia. Its success is underpinned by quality production, strong acting, and strong cultural resonance with Indonesian audiences.
Community Rating