Indonesian horror are fictions andfilms of the horror genre produced by theIndonesian film industry. Often inspired bylocal folklore and religious elements,[1][2] Indonesian horror films have been produced in the country since the 1960s. After a hiatus during theSuharto era in the 1990s, when censorship affected production, Indonesian horror films continued being produced followingReformasi in 1998.[3][4]
Ghosts andmagical folklore have long been part ofIndonesian culture. These later influenced the development of horror films.[5]Kuntilanak are particularly prominent in local horror films.[1]
During the authoritarianNew Order regime under PresidentSuharto, many horror films included religious symbolism and heroes to adhere to strict guidelines fromcensors. TheMinistry Information underAli Murtopo 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.[6] Thomas Barker has argued that films producedafter 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.[1]
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, includingBernafas dalam Lumpur [id],Beranak dalam Kubur [id] andSundel Bolong.[7]
Indonesian horror films, particularly the work ofJoko Anwar, attracted heightened international attention in the late 2010s, aided bystreaming services. Some outlets declared films likeImpetigore (2019) as part of a new wave offolk horror films fromSoutheast Asia.[2][5]Impetigore was Indonesia'ssubmission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in its year of release and attracted international recognition, but was not nominated.[2][8]
HBO Asia also released Indonesian-developed horror television seriesHalfworlds.[5]
Themes approached in Indonesian horror include haunted forests as inAlas Pati: Hutan Mati (2018)[9] andghost stories, for example.[10]
| Rank | Title | Admissions | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KKN di Desa Penari | 10,061,033 | 2022 | Awi Suryadi |
| 2 | Satan's Slaves 2: Communion | 6,391,982 | 2022 | Joko Anwar |
| 3 | Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari | 5,815,945 | 2024 | Anggy Umbara |
| 4 | Sewu Dino | 4,886,406 | 2023 | Kimo Stamboel |
| 5 | Pabrik Gula | 4,726,760 | 2025 | Awi Suryadi |
| 6 | Satan's Slaves | 4,206,103 | 2017 | Joko Anwar |
| 7 | Dancing Village: The Curse Begins | 4,015,120 | 2024 | Kimo Stamboel |
| 8 | Grave Torture | 4,000,826 | 2024 | Joko Anwar |
| 9 | Suzzanna: Buried Alive | 3,346,185 | 2018 | Anggy Umbara, Rocky Soraya |
| 10 | Di Ambang Kematian | 3,302,047 | 2023 | Azhar Kinoi Lubis |
Examples of Indonesian horror games based on folklore story, such asDreadOut andPamali: Indonesian Folklore Horror
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