Malaysian actor Mimi Lana as Fatima and June Lojong as Maria Hadi in the new local horror film ‘Polong’.
Malaysian actor Mimi Lana as Fatima and June Lojong as Maria Hadi in the new local horror film ‘Polong’. — Picture courtesy of Primeworks!
Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Malaysian horror films continue to hold their ground, but with more releases entering the market each year, it has become increasingly difficult for the genre to stand out and capture audience interest.
, Malaysia’s latest horror entry, cuts through that noise with a fresh approach, delivering eerie tension and a story designed to linger in audiences’ minds long after they leave the cinema. The hype surrounding the film has been high, with the teaser released last month garnering over three million views across social media platforms in less than 24 hours.
The cast features Mimi Lana as Fatima, Fad Anuar as Mamat, June Lojong as Maria Hadi, Namron as Adi, and Nadiya Nisaa as Marissa, alongside Riezman Khuzaimi, Amir Nafis, Nesa Idrus, and Elizad Sharifuddin. The story follows an ambitious journalist, Fatima, who unintentionally uncovers the dark past of Maria Hadi, a notorious female shaman who attempted to repent for her sins near the end of her life.
Fatima’s search for the truth not only exposes long-buried crimes but also unleashes something far more dangerous — an entity once nurtured and controlled by Maria herself. Now hunted by an unexplainable force, Fatima seeks refuge with Marissa, Maria’s estranged daughter, who has been living in isolation. attempts to portray that certain legacies do not bring protection, but instead destruction to the next generation.
“To me, the greatest fear does not come solely from supernatural beings, but from humans who are willing to do anything to fulfill their desires,” explained director Zulkarnain. Malaysians are familiar with the story of Mona Fandey and the infamous case that shocked the nation in the 1990s. , it is easy to see the film’s link to the real-life figure and story of Mona, especially after June drew early attention due to her character’s resemblance to the convicted murderer.
However, Zulkarnain explained to Malay Mail that the film only draws inspiration from certain elements surrounding those events, describing them as a springboard for the story. , he clarified, is not a biopic but a fictional horror story inspired by real-life incidents and urban legends linked to several infamous cases from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and North America. The cast and crew of ‘Polong’ attend the film’s gala premiere at 10Star Cinemas in Petaling Jaya.
— Picture courtesy of Primeworks “It’s about the urban legends people used to talk about—the myths and folklore that existed during that time.
“If it were only one, we’ve already watched that kind of movie before,” he said, referring to 2018’s, whose iconic character Leatherface was loosely inspired by notorious American murderer Ed Gein. The American independent film was not a biopic of Gein but took elements of the character and turned it into a franchise, an approach Zulkarnain said similarly shaped is its realism, showing how movies with minimal CGI and visual effects can still captivate modern audiences.
While the film does include some CGI, it relies heavily on practical effects, particularly in the makeup and horror design of its characters. The director said he deliberately limited the use of CGI, relying on it only when needed to preserve realism. This feature uses less than 30 per cent visual effects overall, with the majority of the horror created through makeup and practical in-camera techniques.
Early viewers at the gala premiere have shared mostly positive reactions on social media, praising the film’s intense jump scares, eerie entity design, and unexpectedly strong emotional depth from the cast.
Malaysian Horror Film Polong New Direction Eerie Tension Maryam Hadi Reputation Legacy Darkness Protection Shedding Light On The Past
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