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Sukma

Sukma

Representation Score

7.6/10

Good

2025

Director

Baim Wong

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Sukma shifts the horror genre away from external monsters toward internal psychological terror. By centering the story on Arini's mental state, the film prioritizes women's ability to drive the story and neurodivergent experiences over standard genre clichés. The production benefits from a strong Indonesian cast and a setting rooted in local mysticism. This provides a culturally specific texture that avoids the typical Western-centric approach to supernatural storytelling. While the film excels in gender and cultural specificity, it lacks evidence of LGBTQ+ representation. The reliance on a traditional family unit also suggests a more conventional social framework.

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Category Breakdown

Does Sukma have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The narrative focuses on a family unit relocating to a small town. There is no explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or relationships that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Sukma portray gender?

Good

The film centers on a female protagonist named Arini and features a prominent ensemble of established female actors. This structure highlights the role of women in driving the story, moving away from traditional patriarchal horror clichés.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Sukma?

Good

A predominantly Indonesian cast provides a localized perspective that challenges Western-centric horror. The use of ancient artifacts suggests a narrative rooted in non-Western folklore and indigenous mysticism.

How does Sukma represent religion and culture?

Fair

The plot explores subjective reality through themes of hallucinations and schizophrenia. However, the central family unit suggests a traditional social structure rather than a critique of social institutions.

Does Sukma include disability representation?

Good

The inclusion of schizophrenia and hallucinations indicates a focus on neurodivergence. This offers a potential engagement with invisible disabilities through the protagonist's internal psychological experience.

Present on Screen

  • Strong female lead and ensemble cast that highlight women's ability to drive the story.
  • Localized Indonesian setting and folklore that provide a non-Western cultural perspective.
  • Meaningful engagement with neurodivergence through themes of schizophrenia and hallucinations.

Limited or Absent

  • Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or relationships that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
  • Reliance on traditional family structures which may limit social critique.

Official Synopsis

Arini and her family went to a small town to start a new life, but it turns into a disaster after they find an ancient mirror in a secret warehouse.

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