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Ruqyah - The Exorcism

Name: Ruqyah - The Exorcism
Director: Jose Poernomo
Released: 2017
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2017

Director

Jose Poernomo

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Ruqyah - The Exorcism is a genre-driven film that prioritizes traditional supernatural narratives over social challenges. It relies heavily on established cultural and religious hierarchies to drive its plot. The film reinforces conventional gender and spiritual roles. The male lead acts as a savior, while the female lead serves as a vessel for supernatural conflict, all within a strictly religious framework. While the film provides a specific Indonesian cultural identity, it lacks diversity in terms of identity, multi-ethnic dynamics, or the deconstruction of systemic power structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Ruqyah - The Exorcism have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional romantic storyline between Mahisa and Asha. It does not include any representation of non-straight or non-cisgender identities or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Ruqyah - The Exorcism portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles follow traditional patterns, positioning the male protagonist as a protector. Asha's character is defined largely by her vulnerability and her need for male-driven intervention.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Ruqyah - The Exorcism?

Fair

The story offers a localized Indonesian perspective. However, it maintains a homogeneous cultural framework rather than exploring multi-ethnic or diverse dynamics.

How does Ruqyah - The Exorcism represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative is deeply rooted in Islamic exorcism traditions. It reinforces religious authority and spiritual morality as the primary means of resolving conflict.

Does Ruqyah - The Exorcism include disability representation?

Limited

Supernatural possession is used as a plot device for conflict. This framing risks treating a loss of control over one's actions as a spiritual affliction rather than a nuanced portrayal of disability.

Present on Screen

Provides a culturally specific Indonesian perspective through localized folklore and traditions.
Deeply integrates specific religious practices, such as ruqyah, into the core narrative.

Limited or Absent

Relies on tired gender clichés where the female lead is defined by her vulnerability.
Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight perspectives.
Uses supernatural possession as a substitute for nuanced disability representation.
Maintains a homogeneous cultural framework without exploring multi-ethnic dynamics.

Official Synopsis

This is a true story that happened mid-2012: Mahisa (Evan Sanders) wants to help a movie star named Asha (Celine Evangelista) who feel annoyed by the spirits. Due to too many strange incidents he sees, Mahisa is convinced that Asha is possessed by a supernatural being. After consulting with the famous ustad, he tries to do ruqyah (exorcism) to clean Asha. It turns out that what possesses Asha is not easy to be released, even attacking Mahisa. What possesses Asha is meant to be "charmer" to be liked by many people. Mahisa is also attracted to Asha.

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