#satans slave

[trash-fuckyou]

s/o to my favourite kamera boy KAPI

[roskirambles]

Honorable Mention: Satan’s Slave (Pengabdi Setan, 2017)

The difficult part of living with someone that has a terminal illness is the risk of the ailment eating away the personhood of the individual in the eyes of their loved ones, slowly eroding away the joy spending time with them to the point one might transform the expected grief into relief once things are over. Except when that's not the end of it. Have this conundrum as the starting point of a horror story that explores what family means, throw the demonic into the mix, and you have plenty of potential in your hands.

A passion project for Joko Anwar (who watched the original as a kid and was obsessed ever since), this take on the story gives a much needed emotional backbone and causal connection to the horror proceedings and it's human characters. Its strengths lie not just in the close to 40 years of technological advancements or a likely higher budget, but in the way it builds a much more believable cast to throw into the fry. Same goes for the conflict, which for the most part keeps the central threat while still giving a more nuanced approach that doesn't feel condescendingly preachy.

That isn't to say the technical aspects here aren't stellar: while the make up and effects in the original could hit the mark or completely whiff, here it's all consistently strong, giving the evil spirits such a delightfully creepy look. Special mention, however, has to go to the audio. Some of it falls into known territory for sure, but between it's use of rhythms, recurrent sounds, the subtlest of distortions or even the interplay of what's diegetic and what isn't (let alone the silence in some places where you would expect noise), the film has quite the creative ways to catch you off guard.

While it doesn't necessarily assume you have watched the original, some plot points will hit harder with this knowledge in hand. It does deflate quite a bit in the climax, but it's got so much to offer regardless.

[brokehorrorfan]

Satan's Slave will be released on Blu-ray on May 26 via Severin Films. The influential 1980 Indonesian horror film was remade in 2017.

Known natively as Pengabdi Setan, the movie is directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra. Ali Albar, Simon Cader, and Adang Mansyur star.

Satan’s Slave has been scanned in high definition from the original negative. It’s presented in Indonesian with English subtitles. Special features are below.

Special features:

Interview with writer Imam Tantowi

Interview with producer Gope T. Samtani

Audio interview with remake director Joko Anwar

A wealthy family who have stopped practicing their Muslim faith are tormented by the undead after their mother dies.

[autumnsredglaze]

“You’re invited to her TORTURE PARTY!”

[brokehorrorfan]

Satan’s Slave is available now on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack via Vinegar Syndrome. Orders placed directly from Vinegar Syndrome ($22.99) will receive an embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr., limited to 2,000.

Also known as Evil Heritage, the 1976 British horror film is directed by Norman J. Warren (Terror, Bloody New Year) and written by David McGillivray (Frightmare). Michael Gough, Martin Potter, Candace Glendenning, and Barbara Kellerman star.

Satan’s Slave has been newly restored in 4K from 35mm negative elements. It features reversible artwork. Special features are listed below.

Special features:

Audio commentary with director Norman J. Warren and composer John Scott

Audio commentary with film historians Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger

Creating Satan - Making-of featurette

All You Need is Blood - Archival making-of featurette

Devilish Music - Composer John Scott on his score for Satan’s Slave

“Fragment” - 1965 hort film written & directed by Norman J. Warren

Deleted scenes

Theatrical trailers

Catherine and her family are invited to stay for the week at the Yorke family estate, a massive piece of land in the countryside owned by Catherine's uncle, Alexander Yorke. When a mysterious accident takes the life of Catherine's mother and father, Alexander offers for her to stay with him until she gets well. Under the care of her uncle, his mysterious assistant, and Catherine's perverse cousin, Stephen (Martin Potter; Fellini's Satyricon), Catherine begins growing ever suspicious of her family's intent on keeping her at the estate. Soon she discovers that her family may be hiding dark secrets linked to their sinful past...

[trash-fuckyou]

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