KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Malaysian horror film Khadam is trending in Hong Kong ahead of its cinema release there on October 8, 2026, largely due to its Chinese title, Lau Ga Ling.

According to online reports from United Daily News and hk01, the film has attracted attention because its Cantonese title, Lau Ga Ling, sounds remarkably similar to that of Hong Kong actress Carina Lau, whose name is pronounced “Lau Ka Ling” in Cantonese.

This similarity has sparked lively discussion across social media and online forums.

It’s also reported that some Hong Kong users praised the clever title, with some jokingly suggesting that Lau Ga Ling could be the year’s best movie title translation by a local distributor, calling the similar pronunciation particularly creative.

Others have taken the joke a step further, imagining that Lau has made a horror comeback and that a future Hong Kong version of Khadam could even star the actress herself.

Some social media users have also called on the distributor to invite Lau to the Hong Kong premiere, tagging the actress in the hope that she will notice the Malaysian horror film.

Khadam has been travelling across South-east Asia for cinema screenings.

Following its Malaysian and Brunei release on June 11, the film arrived in Cambodia in July, while Singapore began its screening last month.

The film makes its Indonesian cinema debut today.

Directed by Shamyl Othman, Khadam immediately topped the Malaysian box office, grossing RM1.2 million in its opening weekend and emerging as the top-performing title nationwide upon release.

Within seven days, the film had reached RM2.6 million, and by early July, its Malaysian box-office gross climbed beyond RM5 million, establishing it as one of the year’s standout homegrown hits.

The film stars Indonesian actress Aghniny Haque in her Malaysian film debut, delivering a largely non-verbal performance alongside Datuk Remy Ishak, Siti Khadijah Halim, Zarra Zhaff and Karl’ El, with Jun Lojong making a special appearance.

Set in the 1950s, Khadam follows Melor (Aghniny), a mother forced to inherit a “saka” — a supernatural entity passed down through generations.

As the entity gradually asserts itself over her role as a wife and mother, taking the form of an idealised and seemingly flawless version of herself, Melor must fight to reclaim her identity and protect her family before she loses herself completely — and before the entity demands a devastating price in return.

Replacing cheap jump scares with psychological tension, strong performances, and authentic cultural themes, Khadam offers a fresh take on horror that has resonated locally and is now reaching audiences across Asia.

Khadam is written by Fariza Azlina Isahak and produced by Redfilms and Komet Productions, in collaboration with Sil-Metropole Organisation, Magma Entertainment, Applause Entertainment, Visual Media Studio, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and Primeworks Studios.