Pembantaian Dukun Santet [Movie Review]

Pembantaian Dukun Santet [Movie Review] | The movie drops on Netflix. With such a title, of course I have to give it a go. 

SYNOPSIS

Pembantaian Dukun Santet (2025) Trivia

• Starring: Kevin Ardilova, Aurora Ribero, Kaneishia Yusuf & Ariyo Wahab
• Director: Azhar Kinoi Lubis
• Producer: Manoj Punjabi
• Production Company: Pichouse Films
• Distributed by: MD Pictures
• Release date: May 8, 2025
• Running time: 92 minutes
• Rating: MA
• Country: Indonesia
• Language: Indonesian
• IMDb: 5.5/ 10
• Tomatometer: NA
• Metascore: NA
• The film is inspired by a viral 2023 thread on X, which reignited public attention to Banyuwangi’s dark 1998–1999 tragedy, known as Geger Santet. During this period, mass hysteria and false witchcraft accusations led to the brutal killings of hundreds of innocent people, including religious teachers and community leaders. 
• Aurora Ribero faced both physical and emotional challenges, portraying a trauma survivor while enduring intense, rugged shooting conditions. Meanwhile, Ariyo Wahab perfected his Qur’anic recitations with deep sincerity, practicing tirelessly to deliver each verse with authenticity and respect.

Set in the turbulent 1990s, the movie follows the story of Satrio and Anissa,  young students living in a traditional Islamic boarding school in Banyuwangi, Java. 

Anissa had been seeing ghosts around the school. Whereas Satrio had been questioning the whereabouts of his religious teachers, who had not been seen for a few days. 

As Anissa's vision became more frequent, a series of disturbances started to occur in the school - some even fatal. Her best friend, Nurul, was included, who she saw pulling barbed wire from her mouth and eyes before falling into a deep well.

While trying to call home using a phone in the teachers' room, Satrio comes across news clippings about the mass killing of people suspected of practising black magic.

Fearing for his family, he took off from the school and headed to his home, where he found his mother alone, beside his father's dead body. There, he learnt that his father had been killed as he was suspected of practising black magic. He buried his father and then returned to the school, determined to uncover the truth. 

Is there really a black magic user among them at the school? And why is that person killing the students and the teachers?

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• Based on an actual event, which makes it a bit scary. 
• A great cast.

What I Don't Like:

• Although a great cast, at some points, the characters and the script seem disconnected.  

Will I Watch It Again: No, once is enough. 

Overall: 3.9/ 5.0

The pictures are taken from multiple sources on the Internet. Thank you.

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