The supernatural horror film ‘Kitab Sijjin dan Illiyin’ is set to premiere in Bangladesh on October 31 at Star Cineplex, following its successful international release on September 25. Directed by Indonesian filmmaker Hadra Dayeng Ratu, the movie stars Unita Siregar and Dinda Kanyadevi, and has already made waves with critics and audiences alike.
A tale rooted in faith, sin, and vengeance, the story revolves around a woman who, after years of suffering humiliation, turns to black magic to avenge her family. The cursed household faces terrifying consequences as her dark rituals unfold.
The film’s title draws on Islamic concepts: ‘Sijjin’ represents the prison of sinners, while ‘Illiyin’ denotes the record of the righteous, reflecting the film’s interplay of religion and dark magic.
At the heart of the story is Yuli, a young woman marked by pain and injustice from childhood. Orphaned when her mother dies mysteriously and abandoned by her father, Yuli grows up to work as a maid in a wealthy household, one shadowed by memories of her traumatic past. Soon, strange occurrences plague the home: eerie noises, shadowy figures, mysterious illnesses, and signs of madness among the family members. Initially dismissed as superstition or imagination, it becomes clear that a dark history of wrongdoing toward Yuli’s mother is at play.
Driven by revenge, Yuli learns a cursed ritual from a mysterious sorcerer, which traps human souls in the Sijjin book, leaving them with no escape, while Illiyin preserves the souls of the righteous. As Yuli unleashes her vengeance, the household descends into terror: shadows twist across the skies, blood stains appear on walls, faceless reflections haunt mirrors, and cries echo through the night. Torn between retribution and damnation, Yuli’s own fate becomes entwined with the dark power she wields, ultimately binding her soul to Sijjin itself.
The film is a unique blend of Indonesian horror and mythological elements, exploring the interplay of faith, morality, and supernatural justice. Its craftsmanship has been recognized internationally, with director Hadra Dayeng Ratu receiving the Best Director award at Canada’s Fantasia Festival.
Bangladeshi audiences are now invited to witness this chilling spectacle, where religion, magic, and vengeance collide in a story that promises to haunt long after the lights go up, according to Star Cineplex.
