Indonesian horror are fictions and films of the horror genre produced by the Indonesian film industry. Often inspired by

local folklore Folklore is the body of expressive culture shared by a particular group of people, culture or subculture. This includes oral traditions such as Narrative, tales, myths, legends, proverbs, Poetry, poems, jokes, and other oral traditions. This also ...

and religious elements, Indonesian horror films have been produced in the country since the 1960s. After a hiatus during the Suharto era in the 1990s, when censorship affected production, Indonesian horror films continued being produced following ''Reformasi'' in 1998.

History

Ghosts In folklore, a ghost is the soul or Spirit (supernatural entity), spirit of a dead Human, person or non-human animal that is believed by some people to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely, from a ...

and magical folklore have long been part of

Indonesian culture The culture of Indonesia () has been shaped by the interplay of indigenous customs and diverse foreign influences. As the world’s largest archipelagic country, it is home to over Ethnic groups in Indonesia, 600 ethnic groups, including Austr ...

. These later influenced the development of horror films.

Kuntilanak The Kuntilanak (Indonesian name), also called Pontianak (Malay name), is a mythological creature in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is similar to Langsuir in other Southeast Asia regions. The Kuntilanak usually takes the form of a pregnant ...

are particularly prominent in local horror films. During the authoritarian New Order regime under President

Suharto Suharto (8 June 1921 – 27 January 2008) was an Indonesian Officer (armed forces), military officer and politician, and dictator, who was the second and longest serving president of Indonesia, serving from 1967 to 1998. His 32 years rule, cha ...

, many horror films included religious symbolism and heroes to adhere to strict guidelines from

censors Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governmen ...

. The Ministry Information under

Ali Murtopo Ali Murtopo (23 September 1924 – 15 May 1984) was a prominent Indonesian general and political figure during the first half of General Suharto's New Order regime. Early life Ali Murtopo was born on 23 September 1924 in Kebumen, Central Ja ...

required that Indonesian films at the time had to follow strict moral and ethical guidelines, meaning many horror films juxtaposed violence and sexuality with religious heroes and themes. Thomas Barker has argued that films produced after 1998 in Indonesia have been particularly shaped by what he described as the residual "trauma" of violence under the preceding New Order era under President Suharto. Suzzanna was a major film star in the 1970s and 1980s for her work in horror films. She appeared in 42 films before her death in 2008, including , and ''Sundel Bolong''. Indonesian horror films, particularly the work of

Joko Anwar Joko Anwar (born 3 January 1976) is an Indonesian film director, Film producer, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, he worked as a journalist and Film criticism, film critic. Anwar first rose to prominence for co-w ...

, attracted heightened international attention in the late 2010s, aided by

streaming services A streaming media service (also simply called a streaming service) is an online platform that allows users to watch or listen to content, such as film, movies, Television show, TV shows, music, or podcasts, over the internet. Instead of downloadi ...

. Some outlets declared films like ''

Impetigore ''Impetigore'' () is a 2019 Indonesian horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. The film stars Tara Basro, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, and Ario Bayu. The film follows Maya (Basro), who travels with her friend Di ...

'' (2019) as part of a new wave of

folk horror Folk horror is a subgenre of horror film and horror fiction that uses elements of folklore to invoke fear and foreboding. Typical elements include a rural setting, isolation, and themes of superstition, folk religion, paganism, Human sacrifice, sa ...

films from

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...

. ''

'' was Indonesia's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in its year of release and attracted international recognition, but was not nominated.

HBO Asia HBO Asia is the Asian division of HBO, headquartered in Singapore. Originally launched on 1 May 1992 as MovieVision, it was rebranded on 1 June 1995 to its current name upon Home Box Office, Inc. purchase. The Singapore-based broadcast networ ...

also released Indonesian-developed horror television series ''

Halfworlds ''Halfworlds'' is a dark fantasy thriller television series produced and created by HBO Asia and written by Collin Chang. Set in present-day Southeast Asia, the series reveals an underground society populated by demons from Asian folklore across ...

''.

Themes

Themes approached in Indonesian horror include haunted forests as in ''Alas Pati: Hutan Mati'' (2018) and

ghost stories A ghost story is any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them."Ghost Stories" in Margaret Drabble (ed.), ''Oxford Companion to English Literature''. ...

, for example.

Notable films

* ''

Badai-Selatan ''Badai-Selatan'' is a 1961 Indonesian horror film directed by Sofia W. D. It was entered into the 12th Berlin International Film Festival The 12th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 22 June to 3 July 1962. The Golden ...

'' (1962) * (1971) * ''

Mystics in Bali ''Mystics in Bali'' (), also released as ''Leák'' and ''Balinese Mystic'', is a 1981 Indonesian supernatural horror film directed by Tjut Djalil. Based on the novel ''Leák Ngakak'' by Putra Mada, the film stars Ilona Agathe Bastian, Yos Sant ...

'' (1981) * ''Sundelbolong'' ** ''

Sundelbolong ''Sundel Bolong'' or ''Sundelbolong'' is a 1981 Indonesian cult horror film directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra. The film is about the Javanese mythical prostitute ghost Sundel Bolong In Indonesian mythology, a sundel bolong, is a mythical gh ...

'' (1981) ** '' Suzzanna: Buried Alive'' (2018) ''Remake of Sundelbolong'' (1981) * ''Satan's Slave or (Pengabdi Setan) Series'' ** '' Satan's Slave'' (1981) ** ''

Satan's Slaves ''Satan's Slaves'' () is a 2017 Indonesian supernatural horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. It is a loose remake-prequel to the 1980 film of the same name directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra based on a story by Subagio S. The plot fo ...

'' (2017) ** '' Satan's Slaves 2: Communion'' (2022) * ''

Lady Terminator ''Lady Terminator'' () is a 1988 Indonesian horror-fantasy action film directed by Tjut Djalil, also credited under the pseudonym of Jalil Jackson. The film stars Barbara Anne Constable, Christopher J. Hart, and Claudia Angelique Rademaker, and ...

'' (1988) * '' Pancasona'' (1989) * '' Jelangkung'' (2001) * '' Kafir (film)'' (2002) * ''Kuntilanak Series based on

'' ** '' Kuntilanak 1'' (2006) ** ''

Kuntilanak 2 ''Kuntilanak 2'' (English title: The Chanting 2) is a 2007 Indonesian horror film directed Rizal Mantovani and starring Julie Estelle and Evan Sanders. The film is a sequel to ''Kuntilanak The Kuntilanak (Indonesian name), also called Pontianak ...

'' (2007) ** ''

Kuntilanak 3 ''Kuntilanak 3'' (English: The Chanting 3) is an Indonesian horror film directed by Rizal Mantovani. The film is the third in a trilogy, preceded by ''Kuntilanak'' and '' Kuntilanak 2''. The film stars Julie Estelle, Imelda Therinne and Laudya ...

'' (2008) ** '' Kuntilanak 1'' (2018) ** ''Kuntilanak 2'' (2019) ** ''Mangkujiwo'' (2020) ** ''Kuntilanak 3'' (2022) ** ''Mangkujiwo 2'' (2023) * ''Dara\Macabre by

The Mo Brothers The Mo Brothers is an Indonesian filmmaking duo consisting of Film director, directors, Film producer, producers, and screenwriters Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel. They have mostly worked on the Action film, action, Thriller film, thriller, and ...

'' ** ''

Dara Dara is a given name in several languages. Dara, Daraa, or DARA may also refer to: Geography Africa * Dar'a, region in northern Ethiopia * Dara (woreda), region in southern Ethiopia Asia * Dara (Mesopotamia), an archeological site in Mard ...

'' (2007) ** ''Takut: Faces of Fear'' (2008) ''Segment: 'Dara ** ''

Macabre In works of art, the adjective macabre ( or ; ) means "having the quality of having a grim or ghastly atmosphere". The macabre works to emphasize the details and symbols of death. The term also refers to works particularly gruesome in natu ...

'' (2009) * ''based on Pintu Terlarang (2004) by

Sekar Ayu Asmara Sekar Ayu Asmara is an Indonesian songwriter, director, and author. Biography Asmara was born in Jakarta to a diplomat and his wife. She accompanied her father to foreign countries when he received an assignment. While overseas with her family, sh ...

'' ** ''

The Forbidden Door ''The Forbidden Door'' () is a 2009 in film, 2009 Indonesian psychological thriller film written and directed by Joko Anwar based on Sekar Ayu Asmara's novel of the same name. Despite disappointing box office receipts in Indonesia, the film won ...

'' (2009) * '' Shackled'' (2012) * ''

Ritual A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally ...

'' (2012) * '' Hi5teria'' (2012) * '' Killers'' (2014) * '' Firegate'' (2016) * ''Danur Series'' ** '' Danur: I Can See Ghosts'' (2017) ** '' Danur 2: Maddah'' (2018) ** ''Danur 3: Sunyaruri'' (2019) ** ''Asih 1'' (2018) ** ''Asih 2'' (2020) ** ''Silam'' (2018) ** '' Ivanna'' (2022) ** ''Tenung'' (2025) * ''The 3rd Eye Series'' ** '' The 3rd Eye 1'' (2017) ** '' The 3rd Eye 2'' (2019) * '' Gasing Tengkorak'' (2017) * '' Bayi Gaib: Bayi Tumbal Bayi Mati'' (2018) * ''DreadOut based on DreadOut series by. Digital Happiness'' ** ''DreadOut'' (2018) *''

Sabrina Sabrina may refer to: People and fictional characters * Sabrina (given name), a feminine given name, including a list of persons and fictional characters with the name * Hafren, known in English as Sabrina, a British princess in Welsh mythology ...

'' (2018) * ''Rasuk'' (2018) * ''May the Devil Take You or (Sebelum Iblis Menjemput) Series'' ** '' May the Devil Take You: Chapter 1'' (2018) ** '' May the Devil Take You: Chapter 2'' (2020) ** ''May the Devil Take You: Chapter 3'' (TBA) * '' Sakral'' (2018) * '' Alas Pati: Hutan Mati'' (2018) * ''Perjanjian dengan Iblis'' (2019) * ''

'' (2019) * ''MatiAnak'' (2019) * ''Tembang Lingsir'' (2019) * ''Ratu Ilmu Hitam by Subagio Samtani'' ** '' The Queen of Black Magic'' (2019) * ''Kutuk'' (2019) * ''Lukisan Ratu Kidul'' (2019) * ''Makmum'' (2019) * '' Affliction'' (2021) * ''Desa Penari Series'' ** '' KKN di Desa Penari'' (2022) ** '' Badarawuhi di Desa Penari'' (2024) * ''

Qodrat ''Qodrat'' is a 2022 Indonesian supernatural religious action horror film directed by Charles Gozali. The film stars Vino G. Bastian, and Marsha Timothy. It was released in Indonesia in 27 October 2022 by Rapi Films, and then for worldwide audie ...

Series'' ** ''

'' (2022) ** ''

Qodrat 2 ''Qodrat 2'' is a 2025 Indonesian religious horror, supernatural religious action horror film directed by Charles Gozali and Imron Ayikayu. It is the sequel to ''Qodrat'' (2022). The film stars Vino G. Bastian and Acha Septriasa. It was by Magma E ...

'' (2025) * ''Hidayah'' (2023) * '' Sewu Dino'' (2023) * ''Waktu Mahgrib Series'' ** ''Waktu Mahgrib'' (2023) ** ''Waktu Mahgrib 2'' (2025) * ''

Grave Torture ''Grave Torture'' () is a 2024 Indonesian psychological horror film written and directed by Joko Anwar. The film is based on Anwar's 2012 short film of the same name. The film stars Faradina Mufti, Reza Rahadian, Christine Hakim, and Slamet Raha ...

'' (2024) * ''Do You See What I See'' (2024) * ''

Respati ''Respati'' () is a 2024 fantasy thriller horror film directed by Sidharta Tata from a screenplay he wrote with Ambaridzki Ramadhantyo, based on the novel by Ragiel JP. The film stars Devano Danendra, Keisya Levronka, Mikha Hernan, Budi Ros, Fajar ...

by Ragiel JP'' ** ''Malam Pencabut Nyawa'' (2024) * ''Kereta Berdarah'' (2024) * ''Menjelang Ajal'' (2024) * ''Pembantaian Dukun Santet'' (2025) * ''Pabrik Gula'' (2025)

Notable directors

Sisworo Gautama Putra Sisworo Gautama Putra (May 26, 1938 – January 5, 1993) was an Indonesian film director and screenwriter, best known for his work in the horror film genre. Biography Born in Kisaran in North Sumatra, Sisworo trained as a director in 1961. In 1 ...

Tjut Djalil Hajji, H. Tjut Djalil (11 October 1927 – 28 May 2014) was an Indonesian film director and screenwriter. His feature directorial debut was the 1974 film '':id:Benyamin Spion 025, Benyamin Spion 025''. He was also known for directing such cult fil ...

(

Kimo Stamboel Kimo Stamboel (born Mochammad Maliki Stamboel on 25 June 1980) is an Indonesian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for his works on the horror genres both as himself and also as part of The Mo Brothers with friend Timo Tjahj ...

and

Timo Tjahjanto Timo Tjahjanto (; born Timothy Tjahjanto; 4 September 1980) is an Indonesian filmmaker known for his film works mostly on the horror and action genres. Tjahjanto owns the film production company Merah Production. Apart from directing, producing, ...

) *

*Awi Suryadi

Highest-grossing horror film

Other media

Video games

Examples of Indonesian horror games based on folklore story, such as '' DreadOut'' and ''Pamali: Indonesian Folklore Horror''

References

{{Ghosts Indonesian films by genre