Satan's Slaves

Movie guide

Satan's Slaves (2017)

Pengabdi Setan

  • Horror
  • Mystery
6.7/10 Drama4U Score · from 328 TMDB votes · How the score works

Satan's Slaves (Pengabdi Setan, 2017): Joko Anwar's Indonesian horror. Plot without spoilers, cast, Philippine release date and where to watch in the PH.

Satan’s Slaves plot: what the film is about (no spoilers)

Satan’s Slaves (original title Pengabdi Setan) centres on the Suwono family, a household already worn down by grief and money problems. Mawarni, the mother, has spent years battling a mysterious illness. When she dies, the family holds her funeral and buries her in the cemetery, and her children try to keep the house running in her absence.

The eldest daughter, Rini, ends up holding things together for her younger brothers Toni, Bondi and little Ian. Then the house starts to feel wrong. Familiar objects become unsettling: a wheelchair, an old radio, a vinyl record and a well on the property. Strange sounds and sightings suggest that someone has come home who should not have.

The tagline sets the tone: “She comes back for the last child.” From that starting point, the film builds a slow-burning mystery. The siblings have to work out what is haunting them and why it seems so interested in their family. The story is about loss, family bonds and terror inside the one place that should feel safe.

Satan's Slaves — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

Satan’s Slaves review guide: what makes it notable

  • Director and writer: Joko Anwar wrote and directed the film. He is one of the best-known names in Indonesian genre filmmaking.
  • Origin: This is an Indonesian-language production made in Indonesia with South Korean involvement. The production companies are Rapi Films and CJ Entertainment.
  • Genre: The film mixes horror and mystery. It leans on haunted-house atmosphere, family drama and a growing sense of dread rather than simple shock value.
  • A remake: The film is a remake, giving an older Indonesian horror story a fresh treatment for modern audiences.
  • Cast: Tara Basro leads as Rini Suwono. Bront Palarae plays Bahri Suwono, and Ayu Laksmi plays Mawarni Suwono. Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz and M. Adhiyat play the Suwono brothers Toni, Bondi and Ian. The supporting cast includes Elly D. Luthan as Rahma Saidah, Arswendy Bening Swara as the Ustad, Dimas Aditya as Hendra and Egi Fedly as Budiman Syailendra.
  • Runtime: The film runs 106 minutes.

If you are looking up reviews before watching, the Drama4U Score on this page gives a quick reference point for how audiences have received it.

Who will enjoy Satan’s Slaves

  • Fans of Southeast Asian horror who like stories rooted in local folklore and family life
  • Viewers who prefer atmospheric, slow-building scares to non-stop jump scares
  • Anyone who enjoys haunted-house films with a mystery to solve
  • Followers of Joko Anwar’s work or of Indonesian cinema in general
  • Viewers drawn to stories about grief, siblings and holding a family together

Satan’s Slaves release date in the Philippines and where to watch

The film premiered worldwide on 28 September 2017. It opened in Philippine cinemas on 29 November 2017 as a theatrical release.

As of 24 October 2026, streaming options in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data. Availability can change, so check your preferred local streaming and rental services for updates. A trailer is available if you want a taste of the atmosphere before watching.

Trailer

Cast

  • Tara BasroTara Basroas Rini SuwonoSee credits →
  • Bront PalaraeBront Palaraeas Bahri SuwonoSee credits →
  • Endy ArfianEndy Arfianas Toni Suwono
  • Nasar AnuzNasar Anuzas Bondi Suwono
  • M. AdhiyatM. Adhiyatas Ian Suwono
  • Ayu LaksmiAyu Laksmias Mawarni Suwono
  • Elly D. LuthanElly D. Luthanas Rahma Saidah
  • Arswendy Bening SwaraArswendy Bening Swaraas UstadSee credits →

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Satan's Slaves released in the Philippines?
Satan's Slaves (Pengabdi Setan) opened in Philippine cinemas on 29 November 2017. Its world premiere was on 28 September 2017.
Where can I watch Satan's Slaves in the Philippines?
As of 24 October 2026, streaming platforms for the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data. Check local streaming and rental services for updates.
Who is in the cast of Satan's Slaves?
Tara Basro stars as Rini Suwono. She is joined by Bront Palarae, Ayu Laksmi, Endy Arfian, Nasar Anuz, M. Adhiyat, Elly D. Luthan, Arswendy Bening Swara, Dimas Aditya and Egi Fedly.
What is the plot of Satan's Slaves?
After their mother dies following a long, mysterious illness, the Suwono siblings start experiencing eerie events at home. These events suggest she may have returned.
How long is Satan's Slaves and what language is it in?
The film runs 106 minutes and is in Indonesian.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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