Synopsis of the Horror Film 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet' : Terror Occurs in a Dangerous Islamic Boarding School

Table of Contents

After the success of horror films such as 'Perewangan' and 'Before 7 Days', Pichouse Films and MD Pictures are back with their latest work that is guaranteed to make your hair stand on end, namely 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet'.

This film was directed by Azhar Kinoi Lubis, a director who is no stranger to the world of horror. His latest work is 'Petaka Gunung Gede' which successfully bagged more than 3 million moviegoers, proving that the horror genre is still a favorite in Indonesian cinemas.

Now, just like its predecessor, 'Perewangan', the story of 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet' is again lifted from the viral thread story @jeropoint.

Lifting the story of a tragic event that occurred in 1998 in Banyuwangi, East Java. At that time, many people were accused of being witch doctors and were massacred by a mysterious group. This incident certainly caused deep trauma and fear for the local community.

About the Film ‘Pembantaian Dukun Santet’

In this film, the tragic story is packaged in a more dramatic and tense fictional story. Set in a boarding school that is suddenly terrorized by a terrible event, the teachers and students begin to become victims one by one.

In the midst of the chaos, a student named Satrio (played by Kevin Ardilova) tries to survive while protecting his parents who are also threatened. While looking for a way to get out of this terrible situation, Satrio also tries to uncover who is behind the terror that befell his boarding school.

This film stars a number of famous Indonesian actors, namely Kevin Ardilova, Aurora Ribero, Kaneishia Yusuf, Iqbal Sulaiman, Siti Azizah Chairunnisa, Sasya Anastaysa, Teuku Rifnu Wikana, Ariyo Wahab, Totos Rasiti, Annisa Hertami, Pritt Timothy, Sapta Taliwang. With a capable cast, this film is predicted to present strong and emotional acting.

Previously Reaped Controversy and Rejection

If you have previously heard about the film titled 'Lemah Santet Banyuwangi', then you are not wrong. This film initially used that title before finally being changed to 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet'.

This title change occurred after various rejections emerged from the Banyuwangi community, including from the Indonesian Film Artists Association (PAFRI) Banyuwangi. They considered that this film exploited the 1998 tragedy and distorted the traditional meaning of black magic, which is actually part of the cultural identity of the region.

Due to the controversy, the teaser poster that was previously published was finally withdrawn. Now, this film is here with a new title that still describes the essence of the story.

Even so, many are still wondering whether this title change is enough to calm the controversy or whether it will actually create new debates. Is the core of the story the same? How will the public react after this change? We can only see all of that after this film is officially released.

Audience Enthusiasm and When Will 'Pembutanian Dukun Santet' Air?

It is undeniable that horror films based on true stories always have their own appeal. Audiences may be more interested in stories that have historical roots because they provide a more real and relatable sensation.

In addition, films like this often trigger discussions and reintroduce local history that may have begun to be forgotten. With the presence of 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet', Pichouse Films has once again proven that they are observant in capturing the trends and tastes of Indonesian audiences.

Despite the controversy that accompanies it, this film is predicted to attract the attention of many people, both because of its horror elements and because of the tragic story it tells.

For those who are curious and can't wait to watch it, 'Pembantaian Dukun Santet' is scheduled to be 

released in theaters starting May 8, 2025. Don't miss out on watching this gripping story on the big screen!