Pusaka

 What You Inherit, May Not Let You Go

In the haunting depths of family legacy lies a terror waiting to be awakened.

Pusaka (2025) is a gripping supernatural thriller that weaves cultural folklore, dark inheritance, and psychological horror into a chilling cinematic experience. Directed by acclaimed Southeast Asian filmmaker Dimas Noor, the film dives deep into the shadows of tradition and the price of ignoring ancestral warnings.

The story follows Kirana, a young lawyer in Jakarta who returns to her childhood village after the mysterious death of her estranged grandmother. Upon arrival, she inherits the old family house and a sacred heirloom — a dagger, or keris, said to protect the bloodline for centuries. Though skeptical of local superstition, Kirana begins experiencing strange visions, shadowy figures, and recurring nightmares tied to the house and the artifact.

As the villagers grow increasingly wary of her presence, whispers of a generational curse resurface. Each past heir who dared to use or question the pusaka met with tragic, unexplained deaths. Kirana soon discovers a hidden room in the house filled with ancient texts, ritual diagrams, and photographs of her ancestors — each bearing the same fearful eyes she now sees in the mirror.

Haunted not only by ghosts but by her own unraveling mind, Kirana seeks help from Bayu, a local historian and spiritualist who reveals the true origin of the heirloom: forged during a brutal kingdom war centuries ago, the dagger is bound by blood to protect its owner — or destroy them if betrayed.

As she races against time, Kirana must unlock the dagger’s secret and confront the sins of her lineage — all while being hunted by a vengeful spirit claiming to be the rightful heir. But is the real enemy the curse itself, or the buried history her family tried to forget?

Pusaka excels in blending local mysticism with psychological horror. The atmosphere is thick with dread, aided by moody cinematography, a haunting score built from traditional gamelan instruments, and meticulous attention to Southeast Asian cultural detail. Themes of inheritance, trauma, and the weight of legacy are threaded through every frame.

Lead actress Putri Ayudya delivers a captivating performance, balancing strength and vulnerability as a modern woman grappling with ancient horror. Her descent into fear feels raw and real, while her determination to break the cycle gives the story its emotional weight.

Critics have hailed Pusaka as “Southeast Asia’s answer to Hereditary,” praising its fresh take on folk horror and its commitment to cultural authenticity. While it delivers jump scares and disturbing visuals, its true power lies in its slow-burn unraveling of a mystery centuries in the making.

By the film’s end, audiences are left questioning: is heritage a blessing… or a curse?