What started as a casual conversation between director Zahir Omar and screenwriter June Tan eventually became Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam – a film that melds action, comedy and horror.
“We were just talking about how we could entertain Malaysian audiences, and I asked June what genres Malaysians like,” recalled Zahir.
Zahir previously directed the neo-noir crime film Fly By Night, which garnered international attention after premiering at the Busan International Film Festival in 2018.
“And she said Malaysians like action, horror and comedy. So I said, ‘Let’s make a movie combining all three’.”
Starring Datuk Remy Ishak as the titular character, Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam centres on an elite police officer who investigates supernatural cases.
His latest assignment takes him to a kampung, where a wedding ceremony turns into a gruesome mass killing, leaving the bride, groom and guests dead.
With the help of a local police officer (Fabian Loo), Mikael races to uncover the truth behind the incident – and what the location and a mysterious artefact in the kampung have to do with djinn and the underworld.
Zahir, now in his 40s, said his inspiration for the film came from growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, when he enjoyed B-grade films that blended multiple genres.
“Sometimes the stories didn’t even make sense, but they were very entertaining.
“I want to bring back that feeling of simply having a good time at the cinema,” he said.
While Remy and co-star Alicia Amin drive the action – especially in scenes involving supernatural combat – the comedic elements are carried by Loo and influencer-actress Noreen Iman.
Remy shared: “I’ve always wanted to work with Zahir after Fly By Night, but the opportunity never came until Mikael.
“When the role was offered to me, I immediately said yes because this kind of film feels totally fresh in the Malaysian industry.”
Committed to give his all, Remy started to train for the role, which he admitted was tough.
“At one point, I ended up in the hospital for four days due to exhaustion. Thankfully, it happened when I didn’t have any scenes to film. I really have to thank the cast and crew for their support,” he added.
Filmed in just over a month, the movie features several action sequences, including a climactic fight scene that took three nights to shoot.
With only about two weeks of training, the physically demanding production inevitably led to injuries.
Actor Amir Nafis, who plays the main villain, said: “I had to wear contact lenses that made it almost impossible to see.
“I told Remy before our fight scene that I had to rely entirely on choreography.
During one of the takes, mistakes happened and Remy accidentally broke Amir’s finger.
“But in the moment, I just snapped it back into place and kept going,” Amir added.
Similarly, Alicia had to rely on her stunt double near the end of filming after suffering a leg injury that made her unable to perform her own stunts.
Meanwhile, newcomer Noreen described her role as a dream come true.
She plays Winston, a supplier of mystical items who becomes Mikael’s go-to for supernatural ammunition – and eventually joins him in battling demonic forces.
“When I read the script, I immediately understood Winston. June’s dialogue was already very funny, so I didn’t have to do much to bring out the humour,” she said.
Zahir added that if the film performs well, he hopes to expand its universe in future instalments.
“I have plans to explore more of this fantastical realm if all goes well,” the director said.
Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam started showing at cinemas on April 2.
