Haunted House Tale CONGKAK Opens Tomorrow

Malaysian director Ahmad Idham's last horror movie was Jangan Pandang Belakang (Don't Look Back), which was unintentionally funny in most parts and almost zero on scares. His latest, Congkak, set to open in Malaysian cinemas tomorrow, looks to be the same old, same old. More possessions, more exorcisms, more female ghosts, more histrionics.

Still, because Jangan Pandang Belakang made a killing at the local box-office, the producers are aiming for RM10 million with Congkak. If that comes true, it would be the mother of all box-office takings on these shores, because the highest any local film has grossed so far is RM6 million or slightly higher.

Congkak is the name of a traditional Malay game, played with small stones and a wooden block with holes. The film follows a family as they move into their newly-acquired bungalow in a rural area. Their youngest daughter soon begins to frequent a particular room in the house to play congkak with someone that only she can see.

Sounds like a pretty creepy idea, but if only the trailer looked as good. I don't know. You be the judge.

Like Jangan Pandang Belakang, this movie also comes with a warning in its ads and trailer, that pregnant women and those with weak hearts should not see it.

Yeah, riiight. Nice try.