Perjanjian Gaib: A Supernatural Thriller Rooted in Greed and Guilt
Perjanjian Gaib is an Indonesian horror-thriller film released in 2023, directed by Hadrah Daeng Ratu and written by Lele Laila. Combining elements of supernatural folklore with psychological tension, the film follows a desperate couple who enter into a deadly spiritual pact in pursuit of wealth—only to unleash a terrifying chain of events that tests their morality and sanity.
The story centers around Andri and Wati, a young couple burdened by financial struggles. Both work as caregivers and are assigned to look after an elderly woman, Nenek Dasa, who lives alone and is rumored to possess a large inheritance. When Nenek Dasa dies suddenly, Andri and Wati decide to hide her death, preserve her body using formalin, and pretend she is still alive. Their goal is to gain control over her estate and seize her wealth before anyone notices her disappearance.
As the couple carries out their deception, they make a spiritual pact—a “perjanjian gaib”—in which they symbolically sacrifice a life in exchange for riches. What begins as a calculated act of greed quickly descends into a nightmare, as strange occurrences, eerie visions, and ghostly apparitions begin to torment them. The spirit of Nenek Dasa appears to return, exacting revenge and disrupting their ill-gotten comfort with terrifying precision.
What sets Perjanjian Gaib apart is its effective use of Indonesian cultural themes. The film draws heavily from local beliefs surrounding spirits, ancestral curses, and the unseen world. These traditional motifs are woven seamlessly into the plot, creating a story that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling to Indonesian audiences. The notion that wealth gained through immoral means invites spiritual consequences is at the heart of the film’s message.
Dennis Adhiswara and Della Dartyan deliver compelling performances as the morally conflicted couple. Andri is portrayed as increasingly paranoid and consumed by guilt, while Wati struggles between fear and survival. The chemistry between them highlights the emotional toll of their choices and makes their descent into darkness all the more impactful.
Director Hadrah Daeng Ratu maintains a taut pace throughout the film. The atmosphere is thick with suspense, and the horror is driven more by psychological tension and spiritual dread than by gore. Haunting visuals—flickering lights, shadowy corridors, and sudden apparitions—create a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll. Moments of dark humor are occasionally used to break the tension, though they only serve to underline the couple’s growing desperation.
Supporting performances by Ayu Laksmi, McDanny, and Kinaryosih add further depth to the narrative, while the production design effectively transforms ordinary village settings into eerie landscapes of fear and uncertainty.
In conclusion, Perjanjian Gaib is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the price of moral compromise. By blending supernatural elements with real-world anxieties about poverty, greed, and guilt, the film offers both entertainment and ethical reflection. It stands as a notable entry in modern Indonesian horror cinema—one that respects tradition while delivering a fresh, spine-tingling experience.
