Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion (2022)

Director: Joko Anwar

Starring: Tara Basro, Endy Arfian, Nasar Annuz

When the heavy storm hits, it wasn’t the storm that a family should fear but the people and non-human entities who are out for them.

It’s interesting to think this horror movie was the first Indonesian film to be released in IMAX, broke several box office records, and became the highest grossing Indonesian film of all time. Indonesians must really love horror movies…

‘Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion’ is a direct sequel to ‘Satan’s Slaves’. The film starts in 1955 with Budiman – who was also in the first film – being called by his policeman friend to witness a a strange incident involving dozens of exhumed corpses.

The film then jumps to 1984 and we catch up with Rini and her family, who now live in an apartment building and has started a new life. After what happened to them in their home in 1981, her father Bahri believes it is safer to be surrounded by a lot of people. The original cast reprise their roles as Rini, Tony, Bondi, and Bahri.

An elevator accident in the building kills several tenants. With a storm and torrential rain flooding the streets, the deceased are taken to their apartments. These bodies allowed for most of the film’s creepy moments, when the caretaker asked Bondi, Tony and some of their friends to help check the apartments of the deceased to make sure all the windows and doors are closed. The hauntings also start again.

Compared to its predecessor, it takes much longer before the creepiness start, and there’s even a bit of humour added. The film in general is much slower paced and not nearly as scary, with too many fake scares. I also didn’t particularly liked the reveal about Bahri, even though his actions were explained.

‘Satan’s Slaves 2’ might have a bigger budget, but the first film looked more expensive, with better visuals and make-up. I didn’t find this sequel all that scary. It was nevertheless still a well made film, and good enough on its own – just not as memorable as ‘Satan’s Slaves’.

‘Satan’s Slaves 2’ earned $19 million on a $1 million budget. It received 23 award nominations, including Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Supporting Actress.

In Indonesian.

Would I watch it again? No.