Haunting narratives: female entities and gender inequality in Indonesian horror films

Filzah Ramadhani Wijaya, Virienia Puspita (), Kenny Kenny and Benedict Owen Sedharta
Additional contact information
Filzah Ramadhani Wijaya: Bina Nusantara University (BINUS)
Virienia Puspita: Bina Nusantara University (BINUS)
Kenny Kenny: Bina Nusantara University (BINUS)
Benedict Owen Sedharta: Bina Nusantara University (BINUS)

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract This research explores gender inequality in Indonesian horror films using Fisher’s Narrative Paradigm, with a focus on Sewu Dino, Khanzab, and Waktu Maghrib. The analysis demonstrates that these films perpetuate patriarchal narratives by repeatedly depicting women in limited roles. It examines recurring themes in gender representation, revealing that female characters are often portrayed as both victims and supernatural antagonists. Entities such as Sengarturih, Wewe Gombel, and Khanzab (a possessing spirit) reinforce traditional gender roles, frequently portraying women as either malevolent beings or powerless victims. These films amplify gender-based fears and cultural anxieties, sustaining patriarchal narratives that diminish female agency. By critically assessing these portrayals, this study contributes to the discourse on gender dynamics in Indonesian horror cinema and its broader social implications.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-025-04815-x Abstract (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-04815-x

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/palcomms/about

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04815-x

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Palgrave Communications from Palgrave Macmillan
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().