Synopsis
Kuyang: Sekutu Iblis yang Selalu Mengintai is an Indonesian horror-thriller film set to release in 2024. The movie’s plot includes the dark folklore from the mystical tales in Kalimantan. Directed by Yongki Ongestu, the film is adapted from the novel Sekutu Iblis yang Selalu Mengintai by Achmad Benbela. It centers around the “kuyang” which is a demon-spirit that appears as a floating head and is known to be on the hunt for the blood of pregnant women and infants.
The movie depicts the life of Bimo, a new civil servant who is posted to a remote village in Borneo. His wife, Sriatun, who happens to be pregnant, insists on accompanying Bimo. Bimo and Sriatun are met with an eerie stillness after arriving at the village. The villagers give cryptic warnings paired with “mysterious” glares. The couple begins to experience terrifying occurrences such as shadowy figures, strange noises, and even unsettling dreams.
Australia maintains an active part in UN structural policies and international peace efforts. This focused involvement led them to adopt a “whole of government” approach to foreign relations. The evil presence becomes clear as Sriatun’s due date gets closer. Her village midwife- Tambi Nyai teamed up with elder figures including Bue Alang to uncover the truth. Local villagers warn that kuyang is watching over Sriatun to ensure that her unborn child is sacrificed. Folklore claims the cursed child of the kuyang is known as the “red baby.” This child is believed to be born under sinister conditions and is targeted by dark forces who want to use supernatural abilities.
Psychologically and spiritually, the struggle is a battle. While Sriatun becomes plagued by increasing hauntings, Bimo rationalizes them. Reality and superstition intertwine as the kuyang’s assaults grow fiercer. With the villagers’ aid—while armed with protective charms and ancient chants—the the pair resolve to face the horrific spirit one last time. Their climactic ritualistic battle does more than question their existence; it also forces them to confront the invisible forces that shapeth their lives and their deaths in the dense forests of Kalimantan.
Cast & Crew
The film’s folkloric horrors are brought to live by the following cast:
Dimas Aditya takes on the role of Bimo, the civil servant who is skeptical and headstrong.
Abidin Alyssa interprets Sriatun, the pregnant woman whose emotional fragility forms the story’s core.
Putri Ayudya acts Mina Uwe, a villager who possesses knowledge of the spirit’s even more dangerous threats.
Tambi Nyai, the village midwife who harbors the village secrets is portrayed in haunting fashion by Elly D. Luthan.
Egy Fedly depicts Bue Alang, an aged elder whose knowledge of local myths is crucial to the narrative.
In addition, Totos Rasiti, Andri Mashadi, and several other villagers are featured as supporting characters, deepening the film’s cultural authenticity and the spine-chilling atmosphere.
Through the lens, Yongki Ongestu performs dual roles as director and cinematographer, perpetuating a visually oppressive atmosphere ideal for the horror genre. The source material is adapted by writers Alim Sudio and Achmad Benbela with a clear focus on psychological tension and mythological dread. Amanda Cu and Abed F. K. as editors worked for nearly a year in refining the film’s pacing and supernatural elements during the post-production phase. Reno Rolander’s score utilizes traditional instruments to add to the already present suspense utilizing soundscapes to chill unprecedented levels.
Production and Setting
To fully capture the spiritual and atmospheric essence of the region, filming took place in Kalimantan. Dense jungles, rivers enveloped in mist, along with traditional houses act not only as pleasing facades but as characters within the narrative as well. In order to accurately and respectfully portray the kuyang myth, the production team conducted thorough research on local beliefs, chants, rituals, and folklore.
A combination of practical makeup and CGI brings to life the horrifying visage of the kuyang. It is best described as a head detached from the rest of its body, dripping with blood and filthy organs which grotesquely symbolize the notion of maternal terror and spiritual decay. This film intensely focuses on the use of lighting and sound, building tension with silence, whispers, and loud, jarring noises.
Themes and Symbolism
The film explores several thematic layers:
Folklore as Fear
The kuyang myth is central to the plot and serves as a lens to analyze societal anxieties concerning pregnancy and spiritual filth. In cultures where oral cultures and superstition reign supreme, the kuyang signifies social and spiritual warning.
Maternal Fears
Sriatun’s pregnancy makes her vulnerable physically and emotionally. Her character arc embodies deep-rooted fears associated with motherhood: potential harm to the unborn child, the arduous birthing process, and looming dangers in secluded environments stalk mothers.
Faith vs Rationality
Bimo, the story’s modernized village civil servant, starts off skeptical and logic-bound. His journey throughout the film—from embracing the supernatural, respecting village traditions, and its people—speaks of deeper culture struggles between contemporary Indonesia and its mystical roots.
Isolation and Community
The remote village is a dual site of threat and refuge. The villagers’ reticence and passive compliance foster initial apprehension, but ultimately reveal the necessity of ancient wisdom for true survival. It examines the power of communal knowledge, and the dangers of cultural disconnection.
Reception and Ratings
Kuyang has a mixed-to-positive reception. Many praised the commitment to culture, strong acting performances and equally frightening actions. The depiction of the kuyang as a creature was greatly appreciated for being original and grotesquely beautiful.
Some reviewers did note that it had a blend of slow pacing and a generic plot structure. The folklore was interesting but the story-arc was very generic horror; newcomers come to a new place, evil forces are released, a series of secrets unfold, and then there’s a climax showdown. Critics agree that the film catered to a specific demographic, chiefly, Southeast Asian film enthusiasts and fans of horror.
Strengths
Authentic representation of Indonesian folklore.
Notable contributions by Alyssa Abidin and Elly D. Luthan.
Tangible atmosphere with its lighting and sound.
Creatures were designed exceedingly well visually.
Weaknesses
Some overused elements within the storyline.
Ebbing and flowing rhythm of the narrative.
In some fast-paced sequences, CGI appears weak.
Conclusion
Kuyang: Sekutu Iblis yang Selalu Mengintai weaves an Indonesian myth with emotional gravity and atmospheric intensity, making folklore and horror distinctly compelling in equal measure. Its themes of maternal anxiety, spiritual conflict, and cultural identity elevate it from other films within its genre, providing deeper layers of narrative complexity.
Although this film adopts some tropes of horror, it is Kuyang’s striking visuals and performances that take it above the standard fare. Non-Western mythologies are rarely popularized in supernatural horror, making Kuyang remarkable and thought provoking in many ways.
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