Indonesia horror film industry thrives on cultural myths and economic viability

The horror film genre continues to dominate the Indonesian cinema landscape due to deep-rooted cultural connections. Local audiences are frequently exposed to ghost stories and supernatural myths, such as the Kuntilanak and Pocong, from a young age. This cultural familiarity, combined with the psychological thrill of adrenaline and the social aspect of watching films in groups, drives consistent interest.

From a production standpoint, horror films are economically attractive because they often require lower budgets while offering high profit potential. Additionally, viral social media stories have proven to be successful templates for film adaptations, as seen with the massive success of 'KKN di Desa Penari'.

In line with these trends, Paragon Pictures and Ideosource Entertainment are releasing the sequel 'Kuasa Gelap: Perjanjian Darah', directed by Rizal Mantovani. Scheduled for release on October 8, 2026, the film utilizes IMAX technology and focuses on Catholic exorcism rituals involving ancient entities. The sequel follows priests Romo Thomas and Romo Rendra as they face the Rephaim demon following a failed ancient ritual.