WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
A dead mother returns to her Indonesian home after a mysterious illness, bringing a cult-sized secret that puts her four children in the crosshairs.
6.591%
If you have a teen who is a horror veteran and wants something smarter than a standard slasher, this is a top-tier pick. It is atmospheric, culturally rich, and genuinely scary. Just don't expect to sleep with the lights off afterward.
It is a rare remake that actually surpasses the original, trading in the 1980s cheese for a polished, high-tension experience that respects the audience's intelligence while scaring them senseless.
Strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. This is high-level horror that deals with death, cults, and intense supernatural threats that will be way too much for younger kids or the anxiety-prone.
It is a horror movie about a demonic cult and a dead mother returning to claim her children. It focuses on family bonds, but the context is pure supernatural dread.
A masterclass in atmosphere and technical presentation. It uses sound design and cultural folklore to create a unique sense of terror that stands out from generic Western horror.
High-intensity jump scares, disturbing imagery of the deceased, and themes of occult rituals and child peril. It is meant to be terrifying, not safe.
Offers a high-quality cinematic look at Indonesian folklore and religious perspectives on the supernatural. It is a 'modern classic' of international horror.
Joko Anwar’s 2017 reimagining of Satan's Slaves (originally Pengabdi Setan) isn't just a scary movie; it’s a technical achievement that has secured its place as a modern classic. While Western horror often leans on Catholic iconography, this film processes grief and the supernatural through an Indonesian and Islamic lens, offering a perspective that feels both fresh and ancient.
The film excels by making the family unit the emotional anchor. You actually care about these four siblings, which makes the mother's 'return' feel like a personal betrayal rather than just a movie monster appearing. The Variety review highlights the 'splendid score' and 'top-notch technical presentation,' and it's right—the way the film uses sound to signal the mother's presence is masterfully done.
For parents of horror-loving teens, this is a great way to expand their cinematic horizons beyond the Hollywood machine. It’s a film that rewards attention and leads to interesting discussions about cultural folklore and the ways different societies process death. It is heavy, it is high-stress, and it is one of the best examples of the genre from the last decade.
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