SPOILER ALERT!— Sang Pengadil attempts to bring modern legal drama into Indonesian cinema with the story of Jojo (Arifin Putra), a young judge who returns to his hometown, haunted by his dark past—especially the corruption case and suicide of his father, who was also a judge. Instead of finding peace, his return drags him into the world of human trafficking. Alongside his colleague Abigail (Prisia Nasution), they fight for justice, despite constant threats to their lives and families.
Overall, responses to Sang Pengadil have been mixed. Some appreciate its boldness in tackling complex legal issues, while others feel its execution is messy and the story strays in too many directions.
Big Ambitions, But Lacks Focus
As a legal-themed film, Sang Pengadil has grand ambitions. Unfortunately, its execution feels underdeveloped. The film attempts to blend legal drama, action, and mystery, but the final result lacks focus.
One of the major issues is its lack of clear genre identity. Compared to legal films or series like The Trial of the Chicago 7 or Better Call Saul, Sang Pengadil seems to struggle in defining itself. Is it pure legal drama? An action film with legal elements? Or an investigative thriller? In the end, the story feels forced and directionless.
Several aspects feel unrealistic:
- Judges acting as “vigilantes,” akin to Daredevil, but in a way that doesn’t align with Indonesia’s legal system.
- A judge having two court clerks (one of whom is his cousin) who also function as investigators.
- Supporting characters exaggerated for comic relief, disrupting the film’s serious tone.
- Side characters that feel pointless because they contribute little to the plot.
Technical Execution Feels Rushed
On a technical level, Sang Pengadil feels like a rushed production. Some noticeable issues include:
- Sloppy editing, with awkward jump cuts that make scene transitions uncomfortable.
- Ineffective cinematography, causing dramatic moments to lose their impact.
- Poor audio quality, preventing the film from building a proper atmosphere.
- A courtroom evidence video being shown with a TikTok overlay still visible— a small but significant detail that could have been fixed for better credibility.
Acting: Strong Leads, Weak Supporting Cast
In terms of acting, Arifin Putra and Prisia Nasution deliver solid performances. However, the supporting cast fails to strengthen the narrative. The Chief Judge, for example, does not effectively contrast with the protagonist—his dialogue with Jojo only consists of warnings without showcasing how he maneuvers politically behind the scenes. Rather than an authoritative figure in the legal world, he comes off more like a weather forecaster issuing constant warnings about a “justice disaster” without showing its real consequences.
Conclusion
As a legal-themed film, Sang Pengadil holds great potential to expand this genre in Indonesia. However, with a script written by four people and directed by two, the film loses its sense of direction. Instead of focusing on legal elements, it leans heavily into exaggerated action drama—perhaps in an attempt to attract a wider audience.
Despite its flaws, Sang Pengadil can still be seen as a decent first step for the legal drama genre in Indonesia. Hopefully, future films will execute the genre with more refinement, featuring stronger storytelling, better technical execution, and more attention to detail.
What’s your take on this legal film?
