[FrightFest 2026] FILM REVIEW: Ghost in the Cell

Ghost in the Cell - FrightFest UK Premiere Review

Director: Joko Anwar

Starring: Abimana Aryasatya, Endy Arfian, Bront Palarae, Morgan Oey

Written by: Joko Anwar

Produced by: Tia Hasibuan

Cinematography by: Ical Tanjung

Original Score by: Aghi Narottama, Tony Merle

Synopsis:

In a notorious prison, an invisible force starts killing inmates brutally, compelling enemy gangs and corrupt guards to work together as they try to survive the mounting bloodshed.

Thoughts:

What is it with people in horror movies wanting to end up in places they clearly  shouldn’t be? If it’s not a pitch-black cave system, it’s an overcrowded, sweaty prison cell. I’ll admit that when I first read the premise for Shôjirô Nishimi’s 'Ghost in the Cell', I was a touch worried about what I’d gotten myself into. A mash-up of supernatural spooky stuff, brutal martial arts action, and laugh-out-loud comedy? It sounded like a director trying to walk a fine tightrope between genius and being painfully eye-rolling. Horror filmmakers always want to make their own surreal, genre-bending epic, but it frequently ends up looking like it was edited on Windows Movie Maker. 

Thankfully, 'Ghost in the Cell' doesn't fall into the traps of style over substance. The film throws us headfirst into a grim, claustrophobic Indonesian penitentiary,  establishing a captivating atmosphere within the first few minutes. The twist here is that the real threat isn't the corrupt guards or rival gangs, but a vengeful spirit that begins tearing through the inmates like tissue paper. 

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Where Nishimi really succeeds is the pacing. The film mixes bone-crunching action choreography with genuine, laugh-out-loud horror-comedy beats that never feel forced. When the supernatural chaos kicks off in the cell blocks, it becomes an absolute blast to watch. The practical effects are incredibly effective, messy, and at times, truly shocking. 

It’s not flawless. The script tries to layer on a bit too much social commentary  regarding the prison system. Some of the dialogue between the leading inmates can feel a tad too expositional when they should really just be running for their lives. 

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However, the minor flaws are easily obscured by the brilliant, committed central  performances and the frantic energy of the prison breaks. It’s bloody, chaotic, and fiercely entertaining. There’s more than enough creature-feature adjacent madness here to please the horror crowd, proving that Nishimi is a filmmaker who is only getting started.

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

-Adam Neeson

'Ghost in the Cell' received its UK Premiere at FrightFest '26 on August 29th