South-East Asian dramatic horror 'Khadam' from Komet Productions and Red Communications rolls out to Cambodia and Singapore, trends ahead of its October Hong Kong release, and prepares for its Indonesian debut - with international rights now open for territories worldwide
Khadam, the Malay-language dramatic horror directed by Shamyl Othman, has become one of Malaysia's biggest homegrown cinema events of the year, and is now carrying that momentum across the region.
Following a commanding theatrical run in Malaysia, the film has opened in Cambodia and Singapore, is trending strongly on social platforms ahead of its October 8 release in Hong Kong, and is preparing for its much-anticipated upcoming debut in Indonesia on September 16.
Within seven days, the film had built on that start to reach RM2.6 million, and by early July, it had climbed to more than RM5 million at the Malaysian box office, cementing its place as one of the year's standout homegrown hits.
The film's commercial success has been matched by strong critical and industry reception.
Veteran filmmaker Erma Fatima praised the film for striking all the right notes, while respected actress Sofea Jane singled out the strength of its screenplay. Coverage across Malaysia's major entertainment press has repeatedly pointed to the same strengths: a compelling screenplay, powerful performances from an ensemble cast, especially a stunning breakout performance from Indonesian superstar Aghniny Haque, immersive sound design, and a rare ability to build dread without leaning on genre clichés.
Building on its domestic success, Khadam has since expanded into Cambodia and Singapore, introducing the film's distinctive take on Malay supernatural folklore to new regional audiences. Ahead of its Indonesian release, the film is now trending in Hong Kong in anticipation of its theatrical debut there in October.
This expanding footprint underscores the film's cross-border appeal: a story rooted specifically in Malay cultural belief that is resonating with audiences well beyond Malaysia's borders and well beyond horror fans, thanks to its spotlight on the tragic dramatic premise of the story.
Set in the 1950s, Khadam follows Melor, a mother who — following the death of her own mother- is forced to inherit a "saka," a supernatural entity passed down through generations. As the entity gradually asserts itself over her role as wife and mother, taking the form of an idealised, flawless version of herself, Melor must fight to reclaim her identity and protect her family before she loses herself completely — and before the entity claims a devastating price in return.
Khadam is directed by Shamyl Othman, whose work on the film has been widely described by audiences and industry figures as a new benchmark for Malaysian horror cinema. The film is led by an international cast: * Aghniny Haque (Indonesia) as Melor, in her Malaysian film debut — a largely non-
verbal performance that critics have highlighted as a career-defining turn, together with * Datuk Remy Ishak as Awang; • Siti Khadijah Halim as Manis; * Zarra Zhaff as Puteh; * Karl' El as Hitam and *Jun Lojong, in a special appearance as Nek Mak
Khadam is produced by Red Communications and Komet Productions from Malaysia, and brings together a wider network of regional partners spanning several territories: Magma Entertainment and VMS Studios (Indonesia), Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd (Hong Kong), Applause Entertainment (India), Golden Screen Cinemas (Malaysia) and Primeworks Studios (Malaysia).
The movie is distributed in Malaysia by GSC Movies, with Primeworks Studios also serving as marketing partner, and was produced with support
from Malaysia's National Film Development Corporation (FINAS). This coalition of production, distribution, and marketing partners was assembled specifically to give Khadam a launch platform built for international expansion — combining a story rooted in South-East Asian local culture with production values and a release strategy designed to travel.
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