Satan's Slaves: Communion (Shudder) Review

3 star spooky high rise horror.

Satan’s Slaves: Communion is a 2022 Indonesian supernatural horror film. Written and directed by Joko Anwar (Gundala, Impetigore) it is the sequel to the 2017 film Satan’s Slaves. It is the first Indonesian film shot with Imax technology and is a Shudder Original, available now on the streaming service, with English subtitles. It is highly recommended to watch the first film (also streaming on Shudder and super creepy) for context before watching this one.

“Budiman, you’re my only journalist friend. I need you to tell people ablout this, otherwise no-one will find out. I have orders from the high-ups to keep my mouth shut and get rid of all evidence.”

The film opens in 1955, West Java, as we meet journalist Budiman. He has been summoned to a local observatory to witness a terrible scene, the dead appear to have arisen from their graves and travelled inside the room, all bowing to a mysterious painting. He is tasked by his friend to get the word out by any means neccessary.

Fast forward to 1984, Jakarta. It’s four years since the events of Satan’s Slaves and Father (Bront Palarae – Nova, Belukar) has moved his family, Rini (Tara Basro – Golden Cane Warrior) and her younger siblings Toni (Endy Arfian – Malik and Elsa) and Bondi (Nasar Annuz – Satan’s Slaves) into a remote tower block. They feel that this is the safest option, living in a buliding with so many other people.

There are plenty of new characters introduced this time, Ari (Fatih Unru – Antares) friends with the kids, who has an abusive father and Tari (Ratu Felisha – Midnight Show) a young woman that Toni has taken a fancy to, along with lots of others.

A big storm approaches and Rini is worried that the tower block is built too close to the sea and may flood. Following a tragic lift accident, they have the added problem that the building is now full of dead bodies. Budiman is coming, but can he get there in time to save the family?

“Open the door, Wisnu. It’s hot in here Wisnu.”

Satan’s Slaves: Communion is a very creepy film. The tower block itself is scary enough to almost be a character in it’s own right and offers an excellent backdrop to this supernatural horror.

The characters are well written and there is a sense of real jeopardy as everyone prepares to face the oncoming storm. The special effects are very good too, genuinely disturbing and creepy. It is a bit long at almost two hours, but they get in plenty of story.

A well made film and worth a watch.

“These past few years I have wondered, was evil created at the same time humankind was created? If this was true, is there any purpose of attempting to deafeat it?”