KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Halloween, celebrated every Oct 31, is often regarded as the ultimate day of spooks in the West, where it is a major affair.
Here in Malaysia, while it isn’t a traditional festivity, many still embrace the eerie spirit of the season — attending parties, joining events like Sunway Lagoon’s annual Nights of Fright festival, or exploring haunted-house attractions for a good scare.
Over the years, however, more Malaysians have preferred a quieter way to celebrate — staying in and watching horror movies such as Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Shining, along with other Hollywood horror gems that are sure to keep you awake at night.
Asian horror is also a Halloween favourite, with classics such as Japan’s The Ring, Thailand’s Shutter, Indonesia’s Satan’s Slaves and Hong Kong’s The Eye captivating audiences worldwide.
More recent offerings like Taiwan’s Incantation (2022), South Korea’s Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), and Malaysia’s very own Munafik and the acclaimed independent film Roh also fit perfectly into this spine-chilling category.
Many new Asian horror releases have followed since then, and this Halloween, why not explore some that are now showing in cinemas or available on streaming platforms?
Here are some recommendations from Malay Mail to help fill your Halloween month with spooks and scares.
Malaysia’s Malam Terlarang
Starting with the locally made Malam Terlarang, which was released nationwide on October 30, the film tells the story of an 18-year-old girl named Mawar (Shasha Abedul) whose life takes a dark turn after the sudden death of her sister, Safar (Aila Azizul).
Beginning to experience horrifying supernatural disturbances soon after, she is driven to uncover the truth behind her sister’s mysterious demise.
What follows is a horror story infused with rich Nusantara elements — one that goes beyond the supernatural to explore the depths of human greed, obsession and ambition.
Malay Mail attended its gala premiere, and it’s definitely worth the scare.
Thailand’s Death Whisperer 3 and Host
The third film in the Death Whisperer series has been turning heads since premiering in cinemas nationwide on October 23.
The film had already generated major hype among Malaysians before its release. It continues the story of Yak, portrayed by acclaimed Thai actor Nadech Kugimiya, who fights to protect his family from what’s called the Black Spirit.
The latest installment of the Death Whisperer film, starring acclaimed Thai actor Nadech Kugimiya (center) as the character Yak, is already turning heads at local cinema. — Picture courtesy of TGV Cinemas
It’s gory, action-packed and eerie — everything you would love in an Asian horror film.
You can still catch the first two instalments on Netflix, and with this third chapter currently screening in cinemas, it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
While Death Whisperer has its fair share of horror moments, another Thai horror recently released on Prime Video, titled Host, is also worth a watch.
Set in an all-girls facility on a remote island, the story follows Ing (Thitiya Jirapornsilp), who is sent to Pinijkhun Reform School, where the only rule is obedience.
Not long after her arrival, strange incidents begin to occur — from jump scares to violent murders — making it a must-watch this Halloween season.
Indonesia’s Sukma
You could call this the year of Indonesian horror, from Kitab Sijjin dominating Malaysian cinemas to the recent Netflix release of The Elixir.
One highly anticipated film set to take Malaysia by storm is Sukma, which hit cinemas on October 30.
Starring a powerhouse Indonesian cast including Luna Maya, Christine Hakim, Oka Antara, Kimberly Ryder and Fedi Nuril, the film follows Arini (Luna Maya), a woman who moves with her family to a small town to start a new life.
Sukma, an Indonesian horror film, is set to take Malaysia by storm, joining the ranks of already impressive Indonesian horror flicks. — Picture via Instagram/filmsukma
Their peace is shattered when they discover an ancient mirror hidden in a secret room, unleashing terrifying supernatural events.
Sukma is another masterpiece set to join Indonesia’s already impressive lineup of horror films that you won’t want to miss.
Philippines’ Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme
Though it was released in 2023 on Netflix, you may — or might not — know the Philippines’ Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme.
Many in Malaysia may not realise that this horror flick is part of a long-running Filipino horror anthology film series that has been going strong since 1984.
Over the years, 16 films in the Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise have been made, with the most recent being Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme.
While only the latest instalment is available on Netflix for Malaysians to watch, it’s enough to understand why this horror has become a Filipino national talking point.
The latest instalment features three different stories — Glitch, Mukbang and Rage — compiled into one, each delivering extreme horror, gore and scares that will get you talking, or perhaps exploring the franchise even further.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Asian horror or just looking to get into the spirit of Halloween, there’s no shortage of spine-chilling films to keep you entertained this season.
As these are only recommendations, there are many other recent Asian horror films you could explore that are sure to give you a good scare — and make for a spooky, fun Halloween month.
