KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Indonesia’s ‘horror queen’ Aghniny Haque is set to make her Malaysian film debut in the upcoming horror flick Khadam.

Produced by Red Communications and Komet Productions, Khadam will see the 28-year-old take on the role of Melor, a mother who reluctantly inherits her family’s saka — a supernatural being passed down through generations — and must race against time to protect her young daughter from becoming the next mistress of the dark legacy.

Written by award-winning director and screenwriter Fariza Azlina Isahak, the film is set in 1950s Malaysia and also stars Datuk Remy Ishak, Jun Lojong, Siti Khadijah Halim, and newcomers Zarra Zhaf and Karl’ El.

Speaking to local media at the production and cast reveal, Aghniny said she was drawn to the project not just because it marked her Malaysian debut, but also due to the quality of the script.

“When I read the script for the first time, I felt so moved. It was beautifully written. It's haunting and very emotional, I couldn’t stop reading it,” she said.

Aghniny revealed this was not the first time she had been approached by Malaysian filmmakers, though past opportunities fell through. She added that she has a fondness for Malaysian food such as nasi lemak and Hainanese chicken rice, and admired local films including Syafiq Yusof’s Blood Brothers and Jin Ong’s Abang Adik.

She is also familiar with several Malaysian actors, including Sharnaaz Ahmad and retired actor Hairul Azreen, who was her senior in Taekwondo. A former Taekwondo athlete herself, Aghniny was a World Champion quarter-finalist at the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.

She said she was excited to work alongside Remy Ishak, having previously watched some of his films.

“He’s incredible. I first met Remy during the script reading session and that’s when I realised he’s a senior in the industry. We could feel it even through the script reading session,” she said.

Aghniny made her acting debut in 2018 as Rara Murni in Wiro Sableng 212 The Movie, produced by LifeLike Pictures and 20th Century Fox.

She has since earned the title of Indonesia’s ‘Queen of Horror’ through blockbuster hits such as KKN di Desa Penari (2022), Qorin (2022), Pemandi Jenazah (2024), Perempuan Tanah Jahanam (2019), and Selepas Tahlil (2025).

Her critically acclaimed role in Tuhan Izinkan Aku Berdosa (2024) won her Best Leading Actress at the Indonesia Movie Actor & Actress Awards 2024, as well as a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the prestigious Piala Citra Festival Film Indonesia 2024.