Watch Satan's Slaves

Satan's Slaves is a 2017 Indonesian horror movie directed by Joko Anwar. It is a remake of a 1982 classic horror movie by Sisworo Gautama Putra entitled Pengabdi Setan. The movie stars Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, and Dimas Aditya. Set in the late 1980s, the movie opens with a portrayal of a family that is struggling to make ends meet. The father of the family, a famous singer named Ki Joko (played by Egy Fedly), is bedridden and in need of constant care. The mother, Mawarni (played by Ayu Laksmi), works tirelessly to provide for the family by selling traditional herbs, but their financial situation remains grim. To make matters worse, Ki Joko dies, leaving the family in disarray.

After Ki Joko's funeral, strange occurrences start to happen within the family's home. The youngest daughter, Rini (played by Tara Basro), begins to experience supernatural phenomena. She sees the ghostly figure of her deceased father and hears eerie whispers coming from the empty rooms of the house. The rest of the family, keen to dismiss the hauntings as mere coincidence, ultimately suffers the consequences.

As the hauntings continue to intensify, secrets about the family start to unravel. It is revealed that Ki Joko made a deal with Satan to guarantee his family's financial stability. However, his deal comes with a hefty price, and the subsequent horror that occurs is nothing short of terrifying.

The movie is a treat for horror movie enthusiasts who appreciate the technical aspects of filmmaking. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the eerie atmosphere of the film perfectly. The performances by the actors are equally impressive, with each character being fleshed out with nuanced performances. The young actors, in particular, were a highlight, displaying maturity beyond their years with heartfelt performances.

Moreover, Satan's Slaves is not just another run-of-the-mill horror movie. It distinguishes itself with its incorporation of the Islamic faith, which plays a crucial role in the movie. Joko Anwar manages to weave Islamic perspectives and beliefs seamlessly into the film's narrative, suitably reflecting the predominant faith in Indonesia. The movie is a stark contrast to Western horror movies, which focus primarily on Christianity or other prevailing western belief systems.

Finally, Satan's Slaves is not just a horror movie, but it is also a story about familial love and the lengths that people will go to protect their loved ones. It is a story of sacrifice and the consequences of making deals with the devil. The movie manages to strike a rare balance between being incredibly frightening and deeply emotional, a rare feat for a horror movie.

In conclusion, Satan's Slaves is not just a typical horror movie but a masterpiece of the genre. It has garnered international attention, earning Joko Anwar praise for his outstanding work. The film's impressive technical aspects, poignant storytelling and a deep respect for Islamic faith and culture make Satan's Slaves a standout horror movie. It is not for the faint of heart but should be watched by anyone who appreciates what good horror can offer.

Satan's Slaves is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.