Neona Ayu Fights for Her Family: Cursed Review

This Cursed review covers Sihir Pelakor, a 2025 Indonesian film from director Bobby Prasetyo. It mixes family drama with supernatural menace, and it asks how far a daughter will go to save her broken home. The film runs just 93 minutes, so it moves quickly.

Note that this is not the 2023 Spanish film of the same name about a haunted doll. This is a separate Indonesian story.

Cursed Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Cursed plot starts with a family losing its father. Edi, played by Fathir Muchtar, leaves his wife and two children after falling under the influence of Rini, a seductive woman with magic on her side. His daughter Vita refuses to accept the loss.

Vita decides to win back her father's love and bring him home. When Edi returns in a strange state, the family finds itself terrorised by forces it cannot explain. That is where this review stops, since the film's best surprises deserve to stay intact.

The premise draws on a familiar fear in Indonesian popular cinema: that a rival's black magic can tear a household apart. The film treats that idea as both a domestic wound and a source of dread.

What Works in Cursed

The strongest moments are the quiet, uneasy ones. Prasetyo and screenwriter Upi build some atmospheric sequences that rely on mood rather than noise. One Letterboxd reviewer singled out exactly this, and I agree that these scenes are the film's best asset.

The emotional core is also clear. A child who loses a parent is easy to sympathise with, and the story keeps Vita's motive simple and strong. That focus helps the short runtime feel purposeful.

The film also fits two genres together reasonably well. It is listed as action and drama, and it uses the drama to give its supernatural conflict some weight. Fans of drama movie reviews on this site will recognise the family-in-crisis structure.

Cursed Cast and Performances

The Cursed cast is led by Neona Ayu as Vita, with Hana Pitrashata Malasan playing the adult version of the character. Ayu carries the film's emotional load and gives Vita a stubborn determination that anchors the story.

Marcella Zalianty plays Jumiati, and Fathir Muchtar plays Edi, the father caught in the spell. Asmara Abigail plays Rini, the woman at the centre of the trouble, while Jared Ali appears as Dwi. The cast is the film's most dependable ingredient, even when the script gives them familiar beats.

Where Cursed Stumbles

The biggest weakness is predictability. An IMDb commenter noted that the film follows the same path as many other Indonesian horror movies, with plenty of jump scares. That matches my sense that the scares are often loud rather than inventive.

Tone is another issue. One Letterboxd reviewer said the film made them laugh more than most recent Indonesian horror, which suggests some scenes do not land as intended. When a spell-driven melodrama tips into unintended comedy, the tension suffers.

Audience reaction looks mixed. IMDb lists a 6.1 rating, and Letterboxd users average roughly 3 out of 5. I found no critic consensus, so those figures are the best guide to how viewers have taken it.

Is Cursed Worth Watching?

Yes, if you like Indonesian supernatural dramas and can forgive familiar scares. It is short, focused and anchored by a sympathetic lead, which makes it an easy watch.

It is not a fresh take on the genre. If you want something more original, you might prefer to browse our horror movie reviews for stronger picks. The Cursed release date in Indonesia was 31 July 2025, and it carries a 17+ rating there, so it is for adult audiences.

The film earns a moderate recommendation. It has atmosphere and heart, but it leans on formula.

Who Will Enjoy Cursed

• Viewers who enjoy Indonesian horror and black-magic stories with a family focus.

• Fans of short, quick supernatural dramas that do not outstay their welcome.

• Anyone curious about Bobby Prasetyo's work and Neona Ayu's lead performance.