The beginning of 2026 was an exciting time for Indonesian horror film fans. Several Indonesian filmmakers presented new works that didn't rely solely on jump scares but also adapted local stories with a fresh approach. One title that caught the attention was Penunggu Rumah: Buto Ijo, a horror film inspired by the Timun Mas folk legend, with a modern twist and a dark, oppressive atmosphere. Depicting the figure of Buto Ijo, a familiar figure from childhood fairy tales, this film seeks to break that classic image. Rather than simply being a monster from a bedtime story, Buto Ijo is presented as a more realistic, mysterious, and meaningful symbol of terror. It's no wonder that from the moment its first trailer was released, the film immediately piqued audiences' curiosity. Synopsis of Penunggu Rumah: Buto Ijo The story of Penunggu Rumah: Buto Ijo centers on a family living peacefully in an old ancestral home. Initially, their lives proceed normally without any significant irre...
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The film "Dollhouse" premiered in Indonesian cinemas on September 17, 2025. This Japanese horror film is directed by Yaguchi Shinobu, whose previous successes included "Water Boys" and "Swing Girls." The horror film "Dollhouse" stars top Japanese actors Masami Nagasawa and Koji Seto in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of a family whose lives are changed after they discover a doll resembling their deceased child. If you're interested in watching, here's a brief synopsis of "Dollhouse," the cast, and some interesting facts.
Dollhouse Synopsis
This horror film tells the story of Yoshie (Masami Nagasawa) and Tadahiko (Koji Seto). They are a married couple who were initially very happy in their marriage, enlivened by Mei, their daughter, who grew up to be five years old. However, that happiness suddenly vanished when their only child died. This situation left Yoshie deeply distraught, and she lost much of her energy in life.
One day, Yoshie found a doll resembling Mei at an antique market and bought it. She deeply adored the doll and found herself recovering from her deep sadness. At first, Tadahiko was shocked and even uncomfortable with Yoshie's attachment to the doll. She carried the doll everywhere with her and even treated it as her own child.
However, Tadahiko saw Yoshie's situation improve, and he gradually began to treat the doll as if it were his own. Eventually, Yoshie and Tadahiko had their second child, a girl they named Mai.
They focused on caring for Mai with great affection, losing interest in the doll at home. One night, Yoshie found the doll's hair wrapped around Mai's neck, so she put it in the back of the closet. When Mai was five years old, Mai received the doll, named it Aya, and began playing with it. Mai's kindergarten teacher explained that young children typically treat dolls as if they were alive.
However, the teacher showed Yoshie some disturbing drawings of Mai as a five-year-old. The drawings featured a mother and child hanging and a girl in a kimono being boiled in a cauldron.
The teacher asked if Yoshie could understand or recognize the situation Mai had drawn. Feeling uneasy, Yoshie threw the doll and drawings into the trash, but the janitor returned the doll. From then on, strange events began to occur in their family, such as Mai being injured in the house and changes in Yoshie's mental state regarding the doll and their daughter.
Dollhouse Cast
In addition to Masami Nagasawa and Koji Seto, here are a number of famous Japanese actors and actresses who starred in the film Dollhouse.
- Nagasawa Masami as Suzuki Yoshie
- Seto Koji as Tadahiko
- Tanaka Tetsushi as Kanda
- Yasuda Ken as Yamamoto
- Fubuki Jun as Suzuki Toshiko
- Ikemura Aoi as Mai
- Honda Hirotaro
- Nishida Naomi
- Shinagawa Toru
Interesting Facts About the Film Dollhouse
Here are some interesting facts about the production of the film Dollhouse:
1. Directorial Debut in the Horror Genre.
The film Dollhouse was directed by Shinobu Yaguchi. Yaguchi has long been known as a director skilled at producing heartwarming dramas and comedies, such as Wood Job! (2014) and Survival Family (2017). His decision to direct a horror film for the first time was an interesting surprise. The touch of a director skilled in emotional dramas on the horror genre promises a fresh approach, where horror is built not only from appearances but also from the psychological fragility of the characters.
2. Scary Dolls in Japanese Culture
The film "Dollhouse" centers on a couple, Yoshie (Masami Nagasawa) and Tadahiko (Koji Seto), who lose their daughter, Mei. To cope with her grief, Yoshie finds an antique doll that closely resembles her late daughter. The doll initially brings comfort, but turns into a source of terror when their second daughter is born. After the child is five years old, she begins playing with the doll. In Japanese culture, dolls are often considered to possess a certain spirit or energy. Some traditional dolls, such as the Hina Ningyo from the Hinamatsuri festival or Daruma, are even used as symbols of protection and prayer. However, there is also a belief that dolls can absorb spirits, feelings, or even become a vessel for spirits that have not yet rested.
3. Won Prestigious Awards at International Film Festivals
Before its Indonesian premiere, Dollhouse had already garnered recognition on the global stage. The film won the highest award, the Grand Prize for Best Film, at the 2025 Fantasporto International Film Festival. Fantasporto is known as one of the world's most prestigious genre film festivals, particularly for fantasy, science fiction, and horror films. This win is proof that Dollhouse's quality is globally recognized and that it is more than just another horror film.
Furthermore, the film also received rave reviews when it premiered in Italy at the 2025 Far East Film Festival. This concludes our brief overview of the Dollhouse synopsis, cast, and interesting facts.
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