In a country where spiritual rituals and ancestral beliefs still echo through generations, Astro Shaw's Malam Terlarang taps into the very soul of Malaysian mysticism. 

The horror thriller set in the 1980s draws from Malaysia’s rich tapestry of rituals like the puja pantai,  a coastal ritual deeply rooted in the Nusantara tradition, performed to appease sea spirits and ensure safety and prosperity and turns sacred traditions into chilling metaphors for obsession and buried family secrets.

Image Credit: Astro Shaw

With its eerie atmosphere and cultural depth, this film is the perfect spine-tingling watch for Halloween, where the scariest ghosts are rooted in our own heritage and hit closest to home.

A story rooted in desires

The narrative follows Mawar, an 18-year-old girl from Kampung Pasir Larung, whose dreams of becoming a journalist are interrupted by familial duty and tragedy. 

After the sudden death of her sister Safar, Mawar begins to experience disturbing supernatural phenomena that lead her to uncover the dark legacy of her family, one tied to the forbidden puja pantai ritual and the myth of Pamakbul, the evil Sea Goddess of the Nusantara.

Image Credit: Astro Shaw

The film’s tagline, “When Desire Becomes the Deity,” encapsulates its central theme: the destructive power of unchecked ambition and obsession. As Mawar digs deeper, the horror becomes less about ghosts and more about the psychological scars left by generational trauma.

Piercing performances

Shasha Abedul delivers a commanding breakout performance as Mawar, embodying the tension between youthful vulnerability and a growing inner strength. Her portrayal captures the emotional weight of a young woman forced to confront grief, supernatural terror, and the unraveling of her family, all while clinging to her dreams. 

Zul Ariffin, as Omar, brings a layered complexity to a father whose political ambitions blind him to the emotional collapse within his household. 

Meanwhile, Sofia Jane, in her first horror lead, is nothing short of mesmerising as Sarimah, the mother whose silence conceals decades of pain. 

Image Credit: Astro Shaw

The supporting cast—Sabri Yunus, Normah Damanhuri, Hasnul Rahmat, Amir Nafis, Haneesya Hanee, Aila Azizul, and Sadiq M. Jamil—add depth and authenticity to the narrative. Each actor contributes to the film’s emotional landscape and enriches the story, making the supernatural elements feel all the more believable and rooted in reality.

Visuals that breathe life into myth

Filmed in the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Pantai Morib and Kuala Selangor, Malam Terlarang uses its setting not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing character. 

The dense mangrove swamps and the meticulously restored 1980s kampung house evoke a sense of nostalgia laced with unease. 

Image Credit: Astro Shaw

Director Nurhanisham Muhammad (Labu), with his cinematographic expertise, crafts each frame with precision, using natural light, shadow, and silence to build tension. 

A standout moment is the depiction of the puja pantai ritual. The ritual is portrayed with cultural sensitivity and cinematic reverence, offering audiences a rare glimpse into Malaysia’s spiritual heritage.

Image Credit: Astro Shaw

Our verdict

Malam Terlarang isn’t just another horror flick, it’s a bold, beautifully crafted dive into Malaysia’s spiritual past, wrapped in a story that’s as emotionally gripping as it is terrifying. With its eerie visuals, unforgettable performances, and a fresh take on rituals we’ve heard whispered about but never seen on screen, this film hits different. 

If you’re looking for something that goes beyond cheap scares and actually makes you feel something this Halloween, Malam Terlarang might just be the best horror film to watch this season.

Malam Terlarang is now out in cinemas across Malaysia, Brunei, and Cambodia.

Watch the trailer below:

Featured Image Credit: Astro Shaw