Jefri continuously proves how dangerous he can be by initiating violent acts whenever he feels the need to. In a way, this helps the storyline engage the audience and fade away the boring scenes. Even though he is mentally weak to be the head of the gang, he appears to be physically strong enough to lead. Due to his lack of wisdom, he made some unwise decisions that cost him a lot more than the viewers might anticipate. 

While the actors delivered a commendable performance on the surface, the act wasn’t strong enough to make the audience forget it’s all a performance, making it hard for viewers to stay immersed. Viewers could see that some of the actors are just acting, which makes it easy to assume that some don’t have strong experience as actors. Many of the actors appear inexperienced because their delivery, rather than feeling natural, feels either forced or rushed. Emotional moments that ought to be gripping often come across as ordinary. However, the actors did well to pass the message but there is room for improvement. Using experienced actors could have added greater depth and intensity, increasing the emotional impact the film was aiming for.

The Visual Effects 

Ical Tanjung directed the cinematography of The Siege at Thorn High, and he ensured that the film’s purpose is visually less complicated. Tanjung uses uncommon techniques that stand out. When Rangga’s (Fatih Unru) father was tortured by Jefri and his gang, he screamed at the top of his voice, and Tanjung amplified the intensity by capturing how the cry seemed to spread and swell, echoing through the hallway. This technique changes the scream from a personal reaction into a narrative device, channeling both the character’s pain and the depth of his suffering. Tanjung also made use of close-up shots to capture scenes that involved heated dialogue, connecting viewers to the characters’ reality and emotions.The Siege at Thorn High is set in a school building enclosed by walls. Although the visuals appear to be moderately clear, it needed more enhanced lighting since the walls hindered natural light from coming in. While the lighting seems minimal, it also feels natural and conveys the historical message of the film.

Aghi Narottama composed the songs used in The Siege at Thorn High. He made use of sounds that correlate with the movie and their specific scenes. In a moment of pursuit, when Jefri realized that he’s been outsmarted, the soundtrack in this sequence is fast-paced, which blends with the characters’ chaotic movement. However, as an Indonesian film, Narottama also used some indigenous music in a few scenes, a choice that roots the film in its local culture while adding emotional resonance that modern songs alone might not achieve. One scene where the music seems off is the scene where Jefri, together with his gang, beat up a Chinese boy. The choice of music used for this scene feels like an Indonesian prom party is what is being displayed on screen, meanwhile a boy was taking kicks and punches. The use of a tense soundtrack would’ve added more depth to this scene.

What The Audience Should Know

The Siege at Thorn High educates audiences about the unfortunate events that happened decades ago between Indonesians and Chinese in Indonesia. While the movie is informative and at times entertaining, some of the performances resemble those of amateurs, and this slightly holds the film back from reaching its full potential. The impact of the film stands solid as a reignition of history.

Watch The Siege at Thorn High on Prime Video now.