KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Prolific Malaysian production house Red Communications has revealed that it is working on a horror film set in the 1950s.
This time, the company is collaborating with Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar’s Komet Production, with the script penned by award-winning director and screenwriter Fariza Azlina Isahak, who previously directed and wrote KAMI the Series, KAMI the Movie, and the 2011 film Songlap.
Both Red Communications and Ahmad were involved, directly and indirectly, in those earlier projects, each of which left a mark on Malaysia’s entertainment scene.
KAMI is often credited as a catalyst for independent bands breaking into the mainstream, while Songlap won several awards, including at the 25th Malaysian Film Festival and the Asean International Film Festival in 2013.
Now, the team is reuniting for another bold project, Khadam.
‘Khadam: What we know so far’
The cast of ‘Khadam’ includes Remy Ishak, Aghniny Haque, Jun Lojong, Siti Khadijah Halim, as well as newcomers Zarra Zhaf and Karl’ El. — Picture by Raymond Manuel
Khadam will be Red Communications’ first-ever Bahasa Malaysia horror film and Komet Production’s first feature film project. It also marks Fariza’s return to screenwriting since Songlap.
The film will be directed by Syamyl Othman, who helmed the 2023 reboot of the cult classic 1987 horror film Rahsia. Its cast includes Datuk Remy Ishak, Jun Lojong, Siti Khadijah Halim, and newcomers Zarra Zhaf and Karl’ El.
The highlight of the line-up is Indonesian actress Aghniny Haque, best known for her role in the hit 2022 horror film KKN Desa Penari.
According to its synopsis, Khadam follows Melor (played by Aghniny), who, after the death of her mother, reluctantly inherits her family’s saka — a supernatural being passed down through lineage.
As the saka tightens its grip on her life, Melor races against time to protect her young daughter from a violent destiny as the next mistress of this dark legacy.
Although filming is scheduled to begin after Malaysia Day on September 16, the project has already secured international investors, including Hong Kong’s Sil Metropole and India’s Applause Entertainment.
‘What Khadam has to offer’
The script for ‘Khadam’ is penned by award-winning director and screenwriter Fariza Azlina Isahak. — Picture by Raymond Manuel
At the press reveal on Wednesday evening, cast members and producers praised the script for its attention to detail and refreshing plot.
Fariza, who wrote the screenplay in 2018, said Khadam is essentially a story about motherhood.
“I want to write about the feeling of being overwhelmed, having so much work to do and it never ends. I thought about how I can present this story, and I didn’t want it to be just another drama film, so I framed it in the horror genre,” she said.
Director Syamyl told Malay Mail that he is most excited to bring 1950s Malaysia to the big screen, with the team conducting extensive research to ensure historical accuracy in production design and wardrobe.
This, he noted, has become more important after last year’s Pendekar Awang film drew criticism over historically inaccurate costumes.
He added that the script also incorporates time-period details, from food preparation to vegetation stocks.
“Even the characters — from their names to how they speak — are just like in the 1950s. We are working really hard to nail those nuances, and hopefully it can be translated onto the big screen,” Syamyl said.
Ahmad, when asked about the parallels between Khadam and KAMI, said the sense of helplessness depicted in KAMI would also be reflected in Khadam.
He added that Aghniny was chosen not only to encourage cross-border collaborations but also to put Malaysia on the map.
“Indonesian movies are being seen around the world, and producers are coming to Indonesia. We need to be part of that trend. We’ve got a good script, a good cast, and a good crew — now the ball is in our court to make it work,” Ahmad said.
He added that if KAMI was a catalyst for the independent music scene, he hopes Khadam can have a similar impact on the local film industry.
With production set to begin soon, Khadam is expected to hit local cinemas in 2026.
