TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian horror franchise Satan's Slaves is moving forward with its third installment, Satan's Slaves: Origin (original title: Pengabdi Setan 3: Origin), with a scheduled theatrical release in 2027.
The announcement was unveiled by Rapi Films and Come and See Pictures, in collaboration with Sky Media and Legacy Pictures.
Writer and director Joko Anwar stated that the latest chapter in the Satan's Slaves (or "Pengabdi Setan," in the Indonesian language) universe will bring audiences closer to the origins of everything that has happened, leaving behind the mysteries, clues, and questions left by "Satan's Slaves" (2017) and "Satan's Slaves: Communion" (2022).
"Since the first 'Pengabdi Setan,' this story was never intended to be concluded in one film. Now is the time for us to begin finding out where it all began," said Joko Anwar in a press release from the production house in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted from Antara.
What to Expect from Satan's Slaves: Origin
Joko Anwar will take the Satan's Slaves universe to a broader space, time, and scale than the previous two films.
The director said the story is ready to invite audiences to explore the origins of the demonic pact that had been the center of the previous two films, including the pasts of Darminah (Asmara Abigail) and Batara (Fachri Albar). These two mysterious characters have certainly piqued curiosity and sparked years-long theories on social media.
Citing Deadline, the new Satan's Slaves film will take the story all the way to 16th-century Strasbourg, where mass hysteria, drawing on a real incident recorded in 1518, takes place. The story will then jump to a haunted lighthouse on Java’s southern coast in the 17th century.
The story will span two continents and be filmed in seven languages, including Indonesian, Alsatian, Portuguese, Javanese, Dutch, Turkish and Latin, making it Joko Anwar's most ambitious production yet.
"Longtime fans are going to get the answers they’ve waited years for. Newcomers are going to get the ride of their lives," he said, as quoted from Variety, adding that Satan's Slaves: Origin will answer "where the curse came from, why it never stopped, and what it’s really after."
Boarded for International Sales
The Korean studio behind Bong Joon Ho's Parasite, Barunson E&A, has boarded Satan's Slaves: Origin for international sales, according to Variety and Deadline.
The project, billed as “one of the most ambitious genre productions to come out of Southeast Asia,” will be offered to international buyers at the Toronto Film Festival's inaugural market this September.
The deal extends an existing two-year exclusive partnership between Joko Anwar and Barunson E&A. Their latest collaboration was Anwar's 2026 film Ghost in the Cell.
“Every time we work with Joko Anwar, the scale gets bigger and the ambition gets sharper. Satan’s Slaves: Origin is unlike anything he’s made," said Yoonhee Choi, CEO of Barunson E&A.
"It’s proof of what we’ve believed for years: Indonesian filmmakers are telling some of the boldest genre stories in the world right now, and we’re proud to help this one reach it.”
Satan's Slaves: Origin is produced by Gope T. Samtani and Tia Hasibuan. The executive producers are Sunil G. Samtani, Sunar S. Samtani, Priya NK, Joko Anwar, Tia Hasibuan, Wicky Olindo, and Lisbeth Simarmata. Ical Tanjung served as Director of Cinematography for the visuals.
The film's artistic direction is handled by Dennis Sutanto as Production Designer and Monika Paska as Costume Designer. Novie Ariyanti will take on the makeup effects for the production.
The plot of the film and the entire cast remain under wraps, and will be announced gradually throughout production.
Read: 'Laut Bercerita' to Compete in BIFF 2026 Main Competition
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
