Satan's Slaves (2017) Horror Movie Poster

Satan's Slaves (2017)

MovieSupernatural Horror Folk Horror

Released: September 28, 2017

Runtime: 107 min

Not Rated

Indonesia

Indonesian

A mother lies sick in bed for three years, ringing a little bell whenever she needs her children. When she dies, the bell starts ringing again. Satan's Slaves, or Pengabdi Setan, is one of the scariest films ever made in Indonesia, and the film that put director Joko Anwar on the world horror map. It is a loose remake and prequel of a famous 1980 Indonesian horror film of the same name. It became Indonesia's highest-grossing film of 2017, with about 4.2 million admissions, and won several Citra Awards. Its sequel, Satan's Slaves 2: Communion, arrived in 2022. Fans still ask what the cult wanted, why Ian was taken, and who Darminah is.

7.7/10

Horror Jungle Rating

IMDb

6.5/10

IMDb Rating

91%

Rotten Tomatoes

Watch Trailer Where to Watch

QUICK HORROR SNAPSHOT

Creepiness & Uncanny

10/10

Monster / Killer Threat

8/10

Atmosphere & Dread

9/10

Re-watch Value

7/10

Gore & Violence

4/10

Jump Scares

9/10

Psychological Terror

6/10

Overall Scare Factor

9/10

Tension & Suspense

8/10

Official Trailer

Where to watch

Updated November 12, 2026

Tubi

TubiAU · CA · US

Free

Fandango at Home

Fandango at HomeUS

Rent/Buy

AMC+

AMC+AU · CA · US

Available

Apple TV

Apple TVAU · CA · UK · US

Rent/Buy

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime VideoCA · UK · US

Rent/Buy

Shudder

ShudderAU · UK

Available

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT?

Worth Watching?A terrifying, old-school ghost story and a great entry into Indonesian horror.

Yes

Watch Alone?The jump scares come thick and fast.

No

Watch in the Dark?The candlelit house is made for darkness.

Yes

Good for Date Night?Lots of grab-your-partner moments.

Yes

Watch With Parents?Little sex or swearing.

Yes

Beginner Friendly?Little gore, but very scary.

Maybe

Family Friendly?Too scary for children.

No

Slow Burn?It takes time to set up, then keeps the scares coming.

Maybe

Headphones Recommended?The mother's bell and the old song are chilling.

Yes

18+

Age RecommendationContains strong horror content, violence, and disturbing themes.

16+

Spoiler Free Review

In 1981, a struggling family lives in an old house in rural Indonesia. The mother, Mawarni (Ayu Laksmi), was once a famous singer, but she has been bedridden for three years with a mysterious illness. Her eldest daughter, Rini (Tara Basro), cares for her and her younger brothers. When the mother dies, strange things start to happen.

Joko Anwar uses classic haunted-house scares: creaking doors, shadows in mirrors, a ghostly figure in the corridor, and an old record of the mother's song. But they are expertly timed, and some of the jump scares are among the best in modern horror.

The 1980s setting, the old house and the family's poverty give the story a strong sense of place. The young actors are excellent, especially Muhammad Adhiyat as the deaf youngest son, Ian.

The plot gets busy towards the end, and the mythology can be confusing. But Satan's Slaves is a genuinely terrifying ghost story and a must for horror fans.

What Works

Expertly timed, genuinely terrifying jump scares.

The dead mother is one of the creepiest ghosts in recent horror.

A strong 1980s Indonesian atmosphere.

Great performances from the young cast.

What Doesn't Work

The final act gets crowded and confusing.

Some scares follow familiar haunted-house patterns.

The cult mythology is not fully explained.

FINAL VERDICT:

Satan's Slaves is a terrifying, old-fashioned ghost story with new energy. It is one of the best Asian horror films of the 2010s. Watch it with the lights off, if you dare.

Be Careful, Spoilers Ahead

Plot Summary (Spoilers)

In 1981, the family of Mawarni, a former singer, struggles with money in their old countryside house. Mawarni has been bedridden for three years, ringing a bell to call for help. Her husband, Bahri, their eldest daughter, Rini, and sons Toni, Bondi and deaf six-year-old Ian, live with Bahri's mother, Rahma.

Mawarni dies, and Bahri goes to the city to find work. Soon after, the children hear her bell and see her ghost around the house. Their grandmother, Rahma, is found dead in the well.

Rini contacts Budiman, a writer of occult articles who knew Rahma. He tells her that Mawarni, unable to have children, joined a Satanic fertility cult. The cult granted her children, but demanded that the youngest be given to them when he turned seven. Ian is about to turn seven.

On the night of Ian's birthday, the dead rise from the local cemetery, including Mawarni and wrapped corpses known as pocong, and surround the house. Ian, it is revealed, was not truly Bahri's child, but the cult's. He goes to join them. Budiman arrives and helps the rest of the family escape.

A year later, the family lives in a city apartment. A neighbour, Darminah, visits and hints at "another harvest", and it becomes clear that the cult is still watching them.

Ending Explained

Why was Ian taken? Mawarni joined a Satanic cult that promised her children in exchange for giving them her youngest when he turned seven. Ian belonged to the cult from the start.

Who is Darminah? A member of the cult who appears at the end, posing as a neighbour. Her words about "another harvest" show the cult is not finished with the family.

Was Mawarni evil? She made a terrible deal out of desperation to have children. Her ghost seems to be trying to claim Ian for the cult.

What happened to the grandmother? Rahma knew about the cult and tried to protect the family. She is found dead in the well.

Is there a sequel? Yes. Satan's Slaves 2: Communion (2022) follows the family's story.

Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

Desperation and faith: Mawarni turns to the cult when she cannot have children.
Family bonds: Rini holds the family together after their mother's death.
Poverty: The family's money troubles leave them vulnerable.
1980s Indonesia: The film pays homage to classic Indonesian horror of the era.

Scariest Moments

1

The Bell: The dead mother's bell rings again at night.

2

The Hallway: The ghostly mother appears at the end of a dark corridor.

3

The Song: The mother's old record plays by itself.

4

The Well: The grandmother is found dead.

5

The Night of the Dead: Wrapped corpses rise from the cemetery and surround the house.

Parents Guide / Trigger Warnings

Jump Scares

Severe

Many intense jump scares.

Child Death / Peril

Severe

Children are threatened, and a young boy is taken by a cult.

Flashing Lights

Mild

Candlelight and lightning.

Graphic Gore

Mild

Little blood; frightening corpses.

Substance Abuse

None

No drug use.

Animal Death

None

No animal deaths.

Nudity

None

No nudity.

Sexual Content

None

No sexual content.

Suicide / Self Harm

None

No suicide or self-harm.

Trigger Warning Notes:

Contains the death of a parent, a grandmother found dead, child abduction by a cult, the walking dead and Satanic themes.

Trivia

It is a loose remake and prequel of the 1980 Indonesian film Pengabdi Setan.
It was Indonesia's highest-grossing film of 2017, with about 4.2 million admissions.
It was filmed in an old house in Pangalengan, West Java.
It won several Citra Awards, including cinematography, art direction, sound and score.
Its sequel, Satan's Slaves 2: Communion, was released in 2022.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why was Ian taken in Satan's Slaves?

His mother had joined a Satanic cult that gave her children but demanded her youngest at age seven.

Who is Darminah in Satan's Slaves?

A cult member who appears at the end, hinting the cult will return.

Is Satan's Slaves a remake?

Yes. It is a loose remake and prequel of the 1980 Indonesian film Pengabdi Setan.

Is there a Satan's Slaves 2?

Yes. Satan's Slaves 2: Communion was released in 2022.

Is Satan's Slaves scary?

Very. It is packed with well-timed jump scares and creepy ghosts.

What are pocong?

In Indonesian folklore, ghosts wrapped in burial shrouds. They rise from the cemetery in the film's climax.

Is Satan's Slaves connected to Impetigore?

No, but both are by director Joko Anwar.

Where can I watch Satan's Slaves?

It streams on AMC+ in the US, Canada and Australia, Shudder in the UK and Australia, and free on Tubi in the US, Canada and Australia.

Movie Information

Original Title

Pengabdi Setan

Release Date

September 28, 2017

Runtime

107 min

Country

Indonesia

Language

Indonesian

Status

Released

Director

Joko Anwar

Writer

Joko Anwar

Main Cast

Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Ayu Laksmi, Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz, Muhammad Adhiyat, Elly D. Luthan, Egi Fedly, Asmara Abigail

Production Company

Rapi Films, CJ Entertainment

IMDb Page

Also Known As

Pengabdi Setan