When the Past Haunts Home Again: Unraveling the Horror of Pengabdi Setan 2 (2022)

Release Information

Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion is a 2022 Indonesian supernatural horror film directed and written by Joko Anwar. The film was produced by studios including Rapi Films, Sky Media, Brown Entertainment, Legacy Pictures, and Come and See Pictures. It has a runtime of about 119 minutes. The main cast reprises roles from the first film, including Tara Basro as Rini, Bront Palarae as the father (Bahri), with Endy Arfian and Nasar Anuz playing the younger siblings Toni and Bondi. Additional cast includes new characters portrayed by Ratu Felisha and others. The film was released in Indonesian cinemas on 4 August 2022 (after an initial IMAX release on 30 July 2022). 

Synopsis (Spoiler Light)

Pengabdi Setan 2 picks up after the traumatic events of the first film. Rini, her father, and her surviving siblings move into a rundown apartment building in northern Jakarta, believing that living among many people will provide them safety. However, the move does not free them from terror. The sinister presence of their deceased mother — the “Ibu” from the first film — returns. The family faces escalating supernatural threats. Strange occurrences, occult ties resurfacing, and haunting figures soon shatter their hope for refuge. As more secrets emerge about their mother’s dealings with dark forces, Rini and her siblings must confront trauma, fear, and the very real risk that the curse isn’t over. 

Personal Analysis and Impressions

Critics and audiences widely agree that Pengabdi Setan 2 delivers a more expansive horror experience — both visually and thematically — than its predecessor. Many praise its capacity to translate the terror from a haunted house into a claustrophobic apartment building: the sense of being trapped among many people, yet utterly alone in fear, gives a fresh dimension to the horror. The film’s production design, sound, cinematography, and makeup effects combine to craft intense, memorable horror scenes. One commentary describes it as “a cracking good sequel … with exciting visuals, top-notch production design, gooey makeup design, and convincing performances from a fine cast.” 

At the same time, some reviews note that while the setup and atmosphere are strong, the execution falters in parts. The film’s second half tries to juggle multiple horror threads — occult lore, family trauma, apartment-building paranoia — and some viewers feel it becomes overwhelming or messy. Despite that, for many horror fans open to complexity and willing to embrace ambiguity, Pengabdi Setan 2 offers a haunting, emotionally charged ride that resonates beyond jump scares.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Strong production value: cinematography, sound design, art direction, and makeup elevate the horror beyond common indie scares. 

• Effective shift in setting: moving horror from a standalone house to a crowded apartment building adds a new layer of claustrophobia, social isolation, and dread — the “many-people, no-safety” feel works powerfully. 

• Strong performances by lead and supporting cast, especially those reprising their roles from first film, grounding the horror in believable emotional pain and family trauma. 

• Horror that mixes supernatural, occult, and psychological elements — more than just jump scares or gore, but layered threats that build dread and tension. 

• Successful commercial performance and wide audience reception, showing that a horror sequel can both respect its roots and expand its scope. 

Weaknesses

• The narrative becomes crowded: multiple plot threads and characters in the second half can make the story feel unfocused or overextended. 

• Some parts rely heavily on horror tropes and jump scares, which may feel formulaic or predictable compared to the first film’s mood and tension-driven horror. 

• The occult and supernatural lore occasionally lack clarity or depth — some horror elements feel more like spectacle than coherent world-building, potentially leaving unanswered questions. 

• Emotional and thematic overload: blending family trauma, cult horror, apartment paranoia, and occult threat can feel heavy or overwhelming, possibly diluting the impact.

Who Should Watch the Movie

Pengabdi Setan 2 is ideal for:

• Fans of supernatural horror that combine occult themes, family trauma, and psychological dread rather than purely gore or straightforward scares.

• Viewers who enjoyed the first film and want to see themes of guilt, survival, and haunting continue in a new, more urban and claustrophobic setting.

• Horror enthusiasts open to horror with complexity — where scares are more about atmosphere, dread, and emotional weight rather than predictable jumps.

• Anyone interested in modern Indonesian cinema, especially horror that aims for production quality, world-building, and broader audience impact.

If you prefer horror that is light, simple, and easy to follow — with clear endings and minimal ambiguity — the dense layering in this film might feel heavy or confusing.

Conclusion

Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion (2022) succeeds in expanding and reinventing horror for fans of the original while raising the stakes in setting, style, and dread. It combines strong visuals, effective horror design, and emotionally grounded performances with a willingness to push boundaries of fear and atmosphere. Though its narrative ambition sometimes overwhelms its coherence and clarity, the film remains a memorable and chilling horror experience. Considering its strengths, audience reception, and imperfections, a fair final score would be 7.5 / 10. For horror lovers willing to dive into a darker, more complex world of cult terror and haunted pasts, Pengabdi Setan 2 is worth watching.