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Horror Cult Classic

Indonesian horror where grief, black magic, and a sinister housekeeper threaten a family’s soul.

SATAN'S SLAVE

1980 · 1h 36m · NR · Horror · IMDB TMDB

After the death of his wife, a businessman and his two kids are plagued by visions of ghosts and demons, and soon, people around them start to die, which all started after the arrival of their new and mysterious housekeeper.

Quick Answer

What is Satan's Slave about?

Satan's Slave is a 1980 Indonesian horror film directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra about a grieving family haunted by supernatural forces and a mysterious housekeeper after the death of their mother.

Programmer's Pick

Satan’s Slave delivers atmospheric Indonesian chills with a dose of black magic and a housekeeper you really don’t want. If you like your horror with graveyard rituals and undead apparitions, this one’s got vintage Southeast Asian flavor to spare.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

After the untimely death of his wife, Munarto is left to raise his introverted son Tomi and extroverted daughter Rita with only the help of their sickly, religious servant, Mr. Karto. The family's grief quickly becomes fraught with fear when Tomi experiences a vision of his deceased mother. Seeking answers, he visits a fortune teller, who warns him of impending danger for the entire family and urges him to turn to black magic for protection. As Tomi grows increasingly withdrawn, the arrival of a new housekeeper, Darminah, brings further unease to their fragile household. Set against a backdrop of Indonesian spirituality and supernatural folklore, Satan's Slave blends family drama with escalating terror.

Details & Specs

Director
Sisworo Gautama Putra
Writers
Sisworo Gautama Putra, Imam Tantowi, Naryono Prayitno, Subagio S.
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 36m
Country
Indonesia
Language
Indonesian
Genres
Horror
Also Known As
Saatana kummardaja, Satan's Slave, Original title: Pengabdi Setan

Why This Matters

This Indonesian horror film stands out for its substitution of Christian beliefs for Muslim beliefs, its long-standing cult status due to limited availability, and its enduring legacy, as evidenced by a successful and acclaimed 2017 remake and recent Blu-ray restoration with new interviews.
— SassyFlix Curator

Why Cult

Indonesian Horror Roots

Experience a landmark of Indonesian horror exploring local spiritual anxieties and ghostly traditions.

Black Magic Menace

Black magic and superstition drive the film’s creeping dread, as supernatural forces close in on a vulnerable family.

Sinister Housekeeper

Darminah’s arrival is the catalyst for mounting horror, twisting the classic stranger-in-the-house trope with demonic intent.

Undead Encounters

From ghostly visions to reanimated corpses, the film serves up a haunted house full of restless spirits.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Death of the family's mother

Threat

Supernatural forces and a demonic housekeeper

Effect

Haunting visions, family deaths, and escalating terror

Setting

Family home and cemetery

Questions from the Vault

When was Satan's Slave released? +

Satan's Slave was released in 1980.

Who directed Satan's Slave? +

Satan's Slave was directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra.

How long is Satan's Slave? +

Satan's Slave has a runtime of 96 minutes.

What genre is Satan's Slave? +

Satan's Slave is a horror film.

Where can I watch Satan's Slave? +

You can watch Satan's Slave on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips