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Massacre of the Witches

Name: Massacre of the Witches
Director: Azhar Kinoi Lubis
Released: 2025
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2025

Director

Azhar Kinoi Lubis

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Massacre of the Witches stands out as a culturally grounded horror film that leans heavily into Indonesian folk traditions. By utilizing the concept of dukun santet and a pesantren setting, it provides a localized alternative to standard Western horror clichés. The film's strength lies in its ethnic authenticity and its ability to present a non-Anglo-Saxon perspective. It uses digital folklore to build a world that feels specific and culturally rooted rather than generic. However, the film appears limited in its social breadth. It lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disabilities, and its gender dynamics remain uncertain due to the potential for female characters to serve as mere victims.

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Category Breakdown

Does Massacre of the Witches have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The focus on a pesantren setting highlights traditional social structures over queer identities.

How does Massacre of the Witches portray gender?

Fair

The story features both male and female characters with significant roles. However, the massacre cliché risks portraying women as passive victims within the survival framework.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Massacre of the Witches?

Excellent

The film achieves high ethnic specificity by centering Indonesian folklore and local traditions. This localized approach successfully disrupts Western-centric horror norms through an Indonesian ensemble.

How does Massacre of the Witches represent religion and culture?

Good

By centering on a pesantren, the film explores the volatility of communal belief systems. It examines how religious institutions navigate terror and supernatural threats.

Does Massacre of the Witches include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence regarding the inclusion of characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the current narrative.

Present on Screen

High level of ethnic specificity and cultural authenticity.
Challenges Western-centric horror norms through localized folklore.
Engages with complex, situational morality and communal belief systems.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight-centered narratives.
Absence of characters representing visible or invisible disabilities.
Potential for female characters to be relegated to passive roles.

Official Synopsis

As violence erupts over accusations of black magic, a pesantren becomes the center of terror. As teachers and students are killed one by one, Satrio fights to survive and protect his parents—while uncovering the dark force behind the chaos.

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