Joko Anwar Says Horror Literature Is Our Greatest Strength

Jakarta, 1 April 2026 — Filmmaker Joko Anwar stated that the horror genre is one of Indonesia’s greatest strengths globally, as it is rooted in distinctive beliefs and traditions. He also emphasized that the country’s strongest storytelling asset lies in horror literature.

“Because we are a superstitious society. We strongly believe in the supernatural. The depth of our culture, social complexity, and Indonesian authenticity are our strengths,” he said while presenting the topic “Opportunities and Challenges of Indonesian Cinema in the National and Global Market” ahead of the event “LSF Nonton Film Indonesia 2026” in Jakarta on Wednesday (1 April 2026).

The director of Pengabdi Setan noted that this strength is often overlooked. Indonesia’s cultural diversity, with more than 200 ethnic groups, provides a wide range of stories that have not been fully explored.

He encouraged the production of films that reflect Indonesia and its society. “Please make films that are authentically Indonesian, about issues that concern us as a society,” he said.

He added that Indonesia has the potential to develop its film industry similar to South Korea, whose films are widely recognized globally, supported by a population of more than 284 million.

“Last year, we sold 84 million tickets for Indonesian films alone. This is equivalent to nearly Rp3.7 trillion from ticket sales, not including the broader economic impact generated by film screenings,” he explained. (Rosalinda/Nuz)