#SHOWBIZ: From KL to Jakarta: 'Munafik' Indonesian remake delivers tears and terrors
ALMOST a decade after Syamsul Yusof’s local horror sensation ‘Munafik’ took regional box offices by storm, the iconic Malaysian masterpiece has been given a fresh lease of life through an Indonesian remake.
A decade after the Malaysian horror sensation Munafik captivated regional audiences, the iconic film has been given new life in an Indonesian remake. The spine-tingling adaptation titled Munafik: Melawan Iblis has hit theaters across Indonesia, garnering a massive RM2 million in its opening six days since its theatrical release on October 1.
Directed by Guntur Soeharjanto, the film previously generated buzz in Malaysia before its Malaysian premiere, selling out preview screenings and surpassing local box office records set by several Hollywood blockbusters. Upon its opening day in Indonesia on September 3, the movie attracted nearly 150,000 admissions, topping local charts and outperforming numerous international hits.
Executive producer Datuk Yusof Haslam expressed gratitude for the film's overwhelming success on both sides of the border, attributing the momentum to the strong support from Malaysian viewers. He emphasized the project's significance, stating that the film's universal themes resonate across Nusantara. The idea for the remake emerged in 2023 when Oswin Bonifanz, director and producer of Unlimited Production, envisioned a fresh interpretation of the 2016 original.
Collaborating with Skop Productions, Legacy Pictures, AZ Films, and Komet Productions, the team secured the rights to reimagine the narrative through an Indonesian cultural perspective. Director Guntur, known for hits like Ayat-Ayat Cinta 2 and Makmum 2, admitted to the daunting challenge of creating a distinct adaptation while preserving the essence of the original.
He aimed to infuse the horror with a deeply emotional core, crafting a film that evokes tears rather than relying on jump scares. Performances by Arya Saloka as the troubled ruqyah practitioner Ustaz Adam and Acha Septriasa as his troubled neighbor Fitri have been widely praised, with Malaysian viewers particularly enamored by Septriasa's raw portrayal of torment.
The ensemble cast includes Dimas Aditya, Faqih Alaydrus, Donny Damara, Widi Dwinanda, Annisa Hertami, Nova Eliza, Oce Permatasari, and Elvira Devinamira. Currently screening nationwide, Munafik: Melawan Iblis has proven that a homegrown narrative can captivate audiences across borders.
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