Dark Indonesian Horror Possesses A Woman Called Mother (FANTASTIC)

Title: A Woman Called Mother

First Non-Festival Release: September 25, 2025 (Theatrical Release)

Director: Randolph Zaini

Writer: Beta Inggrid Ayu, JeroPoint, Titen Wattimena

Runtime: 119 Minutes

Starring: Aurora Ribero, Ali Fikry, Artika Sari Devi

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2025.

“What did you lose by having me and what would you gain by not having children anymore?” Writer/director Randolph Zaini summarized his indie demonic possession film in the Q&A at the world premiere of A Woman Called Mother. Given how dime-a-dozen most possession films are, Zaini seeks to take the subgenre in a new direction. And he succeeds.

Siblings Vira (Aurora Ribero) and Dino (Ali Fikry) have mixed feelings about relocating to a new home in the middle of nowhere at the behest of their mother (Artika Sari Devi). Trying to make the most of the move, the siblings spend their summer break making horror shorts for Dino’s YouTube channel while sporadically helping their mother out in the shop. As their mom begins racking up a slew of dead-end dates, the siblings begin suspecting something is amiss when their mother’s strange new habits begin adding up. With only each other to lean on, the siblings must do whatever it takes to save their mom from herself.

An unnerving examination of motherhood and trauma, A Woman Called Mother ponders the uncomfortable questions about parenthood we are afraid to ask.

Mothers sacrifice. This universal truth, or more like societal expectation, puts mothers in a position where they must either sacrifice their lives for their kids or vice versa. When we meet Yanti, it would be easy to forget that her husband left her a few short years ago. Poised, graceful, and seemingly omnipotent, Yanti is better than ever. In the race for perfection, Yanti ignores those who she cares for most. There’s a push-pull in A Woman Called Mother. Equal consideration is given to Yanti the mother as there is Yanti the woman. The complicated relationship Yanti has with her kids mirrors that constant battle she has with herself over what direction to take in life.

All give excellent performances, but Artika Sari Devi blows it away in a well-deserved comeback performance. Yanti is a captivating character to say the least. It all starts with her husband abandoning the family. Pulling in very real trauma that women go through, Yanti serves as a stand in for every woman forced to give up their dreams for the sake of their family. Exercising control of her femininity and the skills she cultivated as a mother, Yanti’s focus on survival in a hostile world becomes her most compelling trait. The divisive revelations of Yanti’s condition balance the real frustrations women face in a patriarchal world while not excusing her for the damage she does to her children.

It’s thanks to Devi’s performance, one that is both understanding and critical, that makes Yanti so fascinating. Devi channels the rage and fear in a way that brings out Yanti’s true power. With one simple look, Devi can either strike fear or usher relief. Through her, the danger of A Woman Called Mother escalates. Regardless of one’s relationship with their mother, it’s impossible to deny Yanti’s more iconic moments.

While it is primarily about the relationships between children and their mothers, the dynamic between Vira and Dino anchors the film in such an authentic way. Siblings until the end, the duo serve as an anchor and foil to Yanti. Desperate to keep their mother grounded as she continues her bizarre behavior, they find themselves forced to work together. They bicker, hurt one another, and isolate, but their relationship, and the relationship they have with their mother, ground the film and make it special. It helps that Aurora Ribero and Ali Fikry are good performers and have great chemistry together.

Beyond all this, A Woman Called Mother is just scary! A classic Indonesian horror film through and through, A Woman Called Mother has fun with scaring the audience. Mixing a good variety of scare tactics, suspense-building, jump scares, gross out moments, etc, A Woman Called Mother keeps audiences on edge for what twisted thing will happen next. Taking a dark approach to the subject matter, the family drama and the scares that surround it take on that energy. Brooding and atmospheric, A Woman Called Mother maintains the element of danger whether it’s in the shadows or daylight.

Indonesia continues to push boundaries in the horror space while still delivering excellent scares, and A Woman Called Mother is no exception. A fascinating meditation on motherhood and the angst and terror inherently involved with that experience, A Woman Called Mother weaves an impressive web telling its dark tale of maternal tribulations. Emotional, captivating, and unnerving, A Woman Called Mother is another banger to add to the Indonesian horror cannon. 

Overall Score? 8/10