Indonesian horror thriller Juminten Edan is set to open in cinemas across Malaysia on October 15, 2026, bringing a story of family conflict, trauma and black magic to local audiences.
Co-directed by Jonathan Ozoh and Dedy Mercy, the film follows Juminten, a deaf and mute woman fighting to protect her family as her mother-in-law, Salma, tries to destroy her marriage through black magic.
Ozoh said the film goes beyond conventional horror, placing greater emphasis on psychological tension and the pressures Juminten faces within her family.
“We want to create fear, but also highlight the strength of a woman like Juminten, who is stronger than people expect,” he said. “The pressure she experiences comes from her family’s actions.”
The filmmakers aimed to distinguish Juminten Edan from other horror films by making its thriller elements and family drama central to the story. The title’s word “edan,” meaning “crazy,” also invites viewers to question who is truly irrational as the plot unfolds.
The story begins on an island, where Juminten grows close to Manto, the only son of the wealthy Sandosa family, which runs a salt business. Manto’s mother, Salma, opposes their relationship because Juminten is deaf and mute. Manto eventually takes Juminten to Yogyakarta to begin a new life.
Their past returns when Salma sends a letter asking them to come back to the island. She says she has forgiven them and wants to meet her grandchild. Manto’s uncle, Marlan, assures the couple that Salma has changed and is ready to welcome Juminten into the family.
Dimas Aditya, who plays Manto, described his character as a man willing to fight for his love. Manto’s turning point comes when he realises his mother is at the centre of the conflict and must decide to defend his wife.
"When Manto realised and saw the conflict that started with his own mother, the turning point began when he had to defend his wife. For the character Manto, he is a man who sacrifices for his love. So, he will do anything for his love for Juminten," said Dimas.
Meisya Amira, who plays Juminten, said the role required her to communicate emotion without dialogue, relying on facial expressions and body movements. She trained in sign language for two weeks and was monitored by an instructor during filming.
Meisya said Juminten’s child is the most important part of her life, and that she is willing to do anything to protect her family. Aditya added that audiences may find Juminten to be the most rational character in the film.
"The most difficult thing for the character Juminten is that she has to express her emotions and energy without dialogue since she is mute and deaf. The expression is based on eye and body movements to convey her feelings.
"To practice using sign language, I underwent training for two weeks, and it was quite difficult with very limited time. During the filming, I was constantly monitored by the instructor, and if there were any mistakes or errors, they were immediately corrected," she said.
Produced by Mercusuar Film Indonesia, Juminten Edan will be brought to Malaysian cinemas by Inaman Films and distributed by Juragan Kaya Sdn Bhd.
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