Indigo (2023): A Chilling Dive into Indonesia’s Supernatural Realm
Indigo (2023) is a supernatural horror film from Indonesia directed by Rocky Soraya and produced by Hitmaker Studios in collaboration with Legacy Pictures. Released in Indonesian cinemas on October 19, 2023, and later arriving on Netflix in early 2024, the film explores themes of psychic abilities, familial trauma, and the sinister presence of vengeful spirits.
The story follows Zora, played by Amanda Manopo, a young woman who was once identified as an "indigo"—a term used to describe individuals believed to have supernatural sensitivity or extrasensory perception. During her childhood, Zora was haunted by terrifying entities until a spiritual expert named Sekar intervened, suppressing her powers. Years later, Zora’s younger sister, Ninda (played by Nicole Rossi), begins exhibiting disturbing signs, initially assumed to be a psychological disorder. However, it is soon revealed that Ninda also possesses indigo abilities, prompting Sekar’s return to help awaken Zora’s latent powers and uncover the dark force threatening their family.
With a runtime of 118 minutes, Indigo blends horror with emotional depth, focusing on the bond between sisters and the burden of suppressed trauma. As Zora reconnects with her sixth sense, she must face past demons—both literal and figurative—to protect her sister and herself from an evil spirit that grows more dangerous with each passing day.
The film’s atmosphere is eerie and stylized, using a mix of practical effects and CGI to create spine-chilling visuals. Ghostly apparitions, dim lighting, and haunting sound design contribute to a constant sense of dread. The supernatural designs draw heavily from Asian horror traditions, featuring pale, long-haired spirits and unsettling movements. While the film delivers on jump scares and suspense, some critics found the middle portion of the film to be slow-paced, with repeated exposition and unnecessarily drawn-out scenes that weaken the emotional impact.
Performance-wise, Amanda Manopo gives a commendable portrayal of Zora, balancing vulnerability with courage as her character transforms from fearful to empowered. Nicole Rossi as Ninda also delivers a solid performance, although some of the dramatic moments border on melodramatic. Sara Wijayanto brings calm authority to the role of Sekar, grounding the film’s more mystical elements.
Reception for Indigo has been mixed. Some viewers praised the high production quality, atmospheric tension, and exploration of spiritual themes, calling it a solid entry in the Indonesian horror genre. Others criticized the film’s pacing, overly familiar ghost tropes, and underdeveloped character arcs. However, fans of Rocky Soraya’s previous works, such as The Doll and The 3rd Eye, may find Indigo a satisfying continuation of his signature style.
In summary, Indigo (2023) is a visually striking horror film that delves into Indonesia’s spiritual beliefs and the mysterious realm of indigo children. Though it occasionally falters in execution and depth, the film offers enough scares, emotional stakes, and cultural intrigue to captivate horror enthusiasts—especially those with an interest in Southeast Asian cinema.
