A devastating car accident shatters the tranquil life of a well-respected family in the village of Umbul Krida, claiming the life of Mrs. Wiryo and leaving her husband, Pak Wiryo, in a mysterious coma. The youngest daughter, Retno, cancels her planned trip to Surabaya to stay behind and care for her father, sharing the burden with her older sister, Wati. Their quiet existence quickly unravels as the family struggles to cope with grief and responsibility in the face of tragedy.
As whispers spread through the neighborhood, speculation mounts that Pak Wiryo is bound by a supernatural “hold”—a jin khodam—that prevents him from peacefully passing away. This unsettling rumor fuels both fear and fascination, sowing seeds of tension that extend far beyond the domain of death and mourning.
Amidst the spiritual unrest, a fierce inheritance battle erupts between Wati and Tarjo, the half-sibling from Pak Wiryo’s second marriage. The struggle over wealth and family legacy exposes deep-seated grievances and divides that threaten to unravel the fragile familial bonds, revealing that the wounds of loss are as much emotional and psychological as they are physical.
As the inheritance dispute unfolds, a more ominous force infiltrates their home. One by one, the family members fall victim to terrifying apparitions: an evil genie that seems to emerge from the depths of Pak Wiryo’s frail body, manifesting nightmares and physical menace. The spirit’s presence not only terrorizes them but also embodies the lingering grasp of death itself, refusing to release Pak Wiryo from limbo.
Retno emerges as a figure of loyalty and compassion, steadfast in her dedication to her father. Her sincerity stands in stark contrast to the greed and self-interest displayed by others around her, deepening the emotional complexity of the narrative. The characters’ motivations range from love and duty to ambition and pride, creating a tangled web of interpersonal drama that heightens the film’s tension.
Rooted in actual events from the director Sidharta Tata’s own family history—specifically the experiences of his great-grandfather, who reportedly struggled to die due to possessing protective supernatural powers—the film weaves cultural folklore into its chilling storyline. The visual design of the supernatural entity, informed by Sidharta’s original sketches and refined with expert input, adds a layer of authenticity and dread that resonates deeply with the audience.
In combining a gripping supernatural haunting with deeply human conflicts, Sakaratul Maut transcends typical horror tropes. It delivers an unnerving meditation on life, death, and the bonds that both hold us together and pull us apart—inviting viewers to confront the unseen forces that linger between worlds and within our own hearts.
