KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — Indonesia’s expanding Qodrat Universe has officially arrived in Malaysian cinemas with the release of Badut Gendong, the latest supernatural thriller from Magma Entertainment that builds on one of the region’s most successful horror franchises.
The shared cinematic universe, centred on Islamic exorcists, black magic and supernatural forces, has steadily gained a following in Malaysia, where the Qodrat films have enjoyed both commercial success and a loyal fan base.
Magma Entertainment’s Qodrat franchise has emerged as one of Indonesia’s biggest horror-action success stories.
The first film attracted more than 1.7 million viewers, while its sequel surpassed two million admissions, further cementing the franchise’s commercial appeal.
The Qodrat films centre on Ustadz Qodrat, played by Indonesian actor Vino G. Bastian, a spiritual healer battling supernatural forces through faith and martial arts.
The franchise has also found an audience in Malaysia, where the first Qodrat (2022) reportedly grossed around RM6 million at the local box office.
The team behind the franchise, along with lead stars Vino and Acha Septriasa — who plays Azizah in the sequel — even travelled to Kuala Lumpur for the Qodrat 2 (2025) gala premiere at Suria KLCC last year, which drew close to 1,000 attendees.
Building on that success, Badut Gendong, directed by Charles Gozali of Magma Entertainment, opened in Malaysian cinemas on June 25 as the latest instalment in the expanding Qodrat Universe.
What is Badut Gendong?
Badut Gendong features an ensemble cast including Marthino Lio, Dayinta Melira, Clara Bernadeth, Derby Romero, Khiva Rayanka, Vonny Anggraini, Totos Rasiti, Barry Prima and Jose Rizal Manua.
At its core, the story follows Darso (Marthino Lio), a struggling street performer trying to provide for his wife, Darsi.
After a devastating personal tragedy, however, grief and desperation begin to consume him, setting him on a path towards something far more sinister.
Since opening in Indonesian cinemas, Badut Gendong has drawn around 890,000 viewers.
Inside the Qodrat Universe
Charles unveiled plans for the Qodrat Universe during the 2025–2028 slate presentation at JAFF Market 2024 in Yogyakarta.
The shared universe brings together interconnected stories involving Islamic exorcists, demons, black magic and supernatural entities within a single cinematic world.
At the event, the first two Qodrat films were confirmed as the foundation of the shared universe, alongside a new project then titled Dance of the Damned, which has since been released as Badut Gendong.
Badut Gendong serves as the third instalment in the expanding universe, following the first two Qodrat films.
Charles said the film was conceived as more than a standalone horror feature, with its protagonist, Darso, serving as a thematic counterpart to Ustadz Qodrat.
According to the director, both characters are shaped by similar emotional wounds and personal struggles but ultimately choose vastly different paths.
In that sense, Darso functions as a darker reflection — or antithesis — of the franchise’s spiritual hero, positioning him as a potential future antagonist in the expanding universe.
The concept behind Darso’s Badut Gendong persona — roughly translated as “carrying clown” — was directly inspired by Ledek Gogek, also known as Ledek Gogik, a traditional folk performance originating from Central Java and Yogyakarta.
Fans embrace the Qodrat Universe
While cinematic universes have become increasingly common in global entertainment, Malaysian audiences appear to have warmly embraced the Qodrat Universe, with each new release drawing positive reactions.
The blend of exorcism narratives, action-driven set pieces and religious motifs is widely credited with driving audience interest.
The enthusiasm is reflected across social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook.
One Instagram user reviewing Qodrat 2 wrote: “This isn’t just a horror movie.
“This is a film about faith, fear, and fighting inner demons — and actual demons too, of course.
“It’s intense, it’s bold, and it’s surprisingly moving,” the post read.
Badut Gendong has received a similarly warm response, with praise focused on its visual effects and emotional storytelling.
One Instagram user described the production as impressive, while others called its narrative “heartbreaking, emotional, and brutal.”
What’s next for the Qodrat Universe?
A fan theory has emerged suggesting a crossover with the 2023 horror film Pemukiman Setan, potentially placing the film within the same shared universe.
However, this has not been officially confirmed.
The film starred Bulan Sutena, Christian Sugiono, Indra Birowo, Zsa Zsa Utari and Rendy Kjaernett.
The next instalment in the Qodrat Universe is expected to be Qodrat 3, which is currently in development, although no release date has been announced.
