Satan's Slaves

The 2017 Indonesian film 'Satan's Slaves' (Gali Rahayu), directed by Joko Anwar, tells the story of a family haunted by the supernatural forces that arise after the death of their matriarch, Dewi. The film is a dark and thought-provoking exploration of grief, trauma, and the consequences of the supernatural events that unfold in their lives. The story begins with the death of Dewi (played by Arawinda Kirana) after a prolonged battle with a mysterious illness that plagued her for three years. As Dewi passes away, her family is left to deal with the emotional aftermath of her loss. Her husband, Pak Harun (played by Endy Arfian), and their three children, Andien (played by Chelsea Islan), Bani (played by Tara Basro), and Iki (played by Pidi Fitrhariadi), struggle to come to terms with their loss. Following the funeral, Pak Harun decides to leave their ancestral home in the countryside to return to their urban lifestyle. However, Andien, Bani, and Iki are hesitant to leave their ancestral home, where they have grown up with stories and tales of the supernatural shared by their mother. The children's grandmother, Ibu Nur (played by Widyawati), also expresses her reluctance to leave the house, suggesting that there is something ominous surrounding their departure. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their family's history and the ancestral home, Pak Harun convinces his children to leave with him to start a new life. However, their urban existence is short-lived, and they soon realize that their family is being plagued by strange occurrences. As the children delve deeper into their mother's past, they begin to uncover the dark secrets surrounding their family's history and their ancestral home. One of the primary themes explored in 'Satan's Slaves' is the power of trauma and grief to shape individual identities and relationships. Dewi's prolonged illness and subsequent death have left the family reeling, and the film takes a deep dive into the aftermath of her passing. The children's reactions to their loss range from despair to anger, and their inability to confront their grief head-on leads to increasingly disturbing events. The film also explores the theme of the supernatural, drawing heavily from Indonesian folklore and mythology. As the children investigate their mother's past, they discover that their family has been plagued by a malevolent force for generations. This force, known as "Kuntilanak" (a mythical figure with vampiric properties), is said to haunt families who have been wronged or have unresolved family conflicts. Throughout the film, Joko Anwar masterfully weaves supernatural elements with the family's personal struggles, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere that culminates in a shocking climax. 'Satan's Slaves' is a film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, with its blend of psychological drama, family drama, and supernatural horror. The film's climax sees the children, determined to put an end to the supernatural occurrences and the family's suffering, embark on a journey to confront the dark forces that have haunted their family for generations. As they delve deeper into the mystery of their family's past, they discover that their mother's death was not an accident, but a deliberate act by a malevolent force that has been manipulating their family for years. Ultimately, 'Satan's Slaves' is a film that is as much about the human condition as it is about the supernatural forces that shape our lives. As a society, we often shy away from discussing trauma and grief, opting instead to sweep them under the rug or dismiss them as mere superstition. 'Satan's Slaves' serves as a powerful reminder that the supernatural is not merely a collection of myths and legends, but a reflection of our own deep-seated fears and anxieties.