KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Asian horror has long travelled beyond its country of origin, with successful films frequently finding new audiences through remakes and reinterpretations.

Indonesia, in particular, has increasingly looked to horror hits from across the region for stories that can be adapted for local audiences.

Among the titles making that journey are South Korea’s Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, remade as 402: Rumah Sakit Angker Korea, as well as Thailand’s Shutter. Malaysia’s Munafik is also set for an Indonesian remake scheduled for release in September.

The latest addition is Perumahan Laddaland, an Indonesian adaptation of Sophon Sakdaphisit’s 2011 Thai supernatural horror film Ladda Land.

The Thai original was a major domestic hit, topping the country’s box office in its opening week before going on to win six awards at the Thailand National Film Association Awards.

Directed by Awi Suryadi, the Indonesian remake stars Titi Kamal as Melisa, Andri Mashadi as Tomy, Anantya Rezky Kirana as Tania and Shakeel Fauzi Aisy as Elvin.

The film opened in Malaysia on August 13, simultaneously with its release in Indonesia and Brunei.

While Perumahan Laddaland retains the central premise of the Thai original, the Indonesian production brings its own approach to the characters, family dynamics and atmosphere surrounding the haunted housing estate.

For Titi, the project also offered an opportunity to explore a different side of the horror genre.

Speaking recently in Central Jakarta’s Thamrin area, she told VIVA that the film combines psychological thriller and horror elements with a strong family drama.

“This is something different. You could say it’s a psychological thriller and horror, which is something different,” she said.

Rather than relying solely on supernatural scares, the film gradually builds tension through a series of disturbing incidents affecting Tomy’s family after they move into their new home.

Titi said the family element was an important part of the story, with the supernatural events unfolding alongside the problems faced by its characters.

“Throughout the film, we want to create a sense of suspense and tension.

“Of course, there is also a strong family drama, and there will definitely be jump scares from beginning to end. We want to give movie lovers an interesting experience,” she said.

Building the dread

Indonesian horror remakes have met with varying degrees of success, with some performing strongly at the box office and others drawing more mixed responses.

For Perumahan Laddaland, early praise has centred on its slow-burn execution, cinematography and eerie atmosphere, as well as its efforts to preserve the mystery of the original.

Early Malaysian reviews have largely responded to that slow-burn approach.

The Auraspectrix Malaysia review team noted that Perumahan Laddaland builds its tension gradually rather than relying entirely on conventional jump scares.

Flipstar Cinemas praised the film’s cinematography, lighting and production design, although it described the overall experience as fairly average.

Filmy React, meanwhile, said the film begins as a slow burn before steadily increasing the creep factor, particularly through its unsettling neighbourhood setting and background score.

The reviewer also noted that while the storyline was somewhat predictable, its execution remained effective.

When the dream home turns deadly

Perumahan Laddaland follows Tomy, who buys what he believes will be his family’s dream home in a luxury housing development.

Together with his wife Melisa and their children, Tania and Elvin, he initially sees the move as a fresh start.

That changes after a domestic worker is found murdered on the property.

As strange and increasingly disturbing incidents begin to unfold, the family finds itself confronting more than just the possibility of a haunting.

Perumahan Laddaland is currently screening in cinemas nationwide.