May the Devil Take You (2018): Indonesia’s Answer to The Evil Dead
Blood, demons, family secrets—and a descent into madness that’ll leave you breathless.
Timo Tjahjanto’s May the Devil Take You doesn’t tiptoe into horror—it throws the doors open and drags you kicking and screaming into a demonic whirlwind of gore, trauma, and supernatural retribution. It’s brutal, visceral, and soaked in dread, channeling the chaotic spirit of Sam Raimi with a Southeast Asian soul.
The Plot: When the Past Comes Crawling Up From the Basement
The story follows Alfie, a young woman with a traumatic past, who is drawn back into the life of her estranged (and dying) father after he mysteriously falls into a coma. When she and her step-siblings visit his old, decrepit villa to investigate the truth, they unknowingly unlock a hellish curse born of dark rituals and demonic pacts.
What unfolds is a fast-paced, gut-wrenching dive into occult horror, where old sins don’t stay buried and the devil demands payment in blood.
What Makes It Special?
Unlike many formulaic possession films, May the Devil Take You throws subtlety out the window in favor of overwhelming, nightmarish intensity. The scares aren’t just creepy—they’re ferocious. From levitating corpses to nail-biting exorcisms and walls that bleed, the film gleefully smashes genre conventions and delivers a uniquely Indonesian take on demonic horror.
The mix of Catholic-inspired exorcism tropes with local folklore creates a chilling hybrid of Western and Eastern horror sensibilities. This isn’t just about ghosts—it’s about cosmic punishment, curses, and the terrifying idea that some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
The Tjahjanto Touch
Director Timo Tjahjanto (also known for The Night Comes for Us and V/H/S/94) doesn’t hold back. His signature style—chaotic camerawork, sudden bursts of violence, and relentless tension—is on full display here. But unlike his action films, May the Devil Take You is soaked in atmosphere and dread.
He builds terror with a sense of urgency. This isn’t a slow burn—it’s a flaming house of horrors that keeps finding new ways to terrify you every few minutes.
Performances & Gore Galore
Chelsea Islan as Alfie delivers a strong performance as the reluctant final girl with a fractured past. Her evolution from skeptic to survivor is believable and emotionally grounded, giving the film a human core amidst all the mayhem.
But let’s not dance around it—the real stars of the film are the grotesque practical effects and aggressive scare sequences. The makeup, body horror, and demonic visuals are stunningly nasty in the best way possible. If you’re squeamish, be warned: May the Devil Take You doesn’t pull its punches.
Thematic Depth Beneath the Gore
Yes, it’s a blood-soaked rollercoaster—but there’s also a deeper thread woven through the narrative. Themes of abuse, family betrayal, greed, and guilt all play out in the haunted house metaphor. The demon isn’t just an external threat—it’s the embodiment of generational trauma and the consequences of one’s past sins.
The film suggests that evil isn’t always summoned—it can be inherited.
Why You Should Watch It
If you’re a fan of:
- The Evil Dead franchise
- Hereditary
- Intense, atmospheric Southeast Asian horror
- Grimy, practical FX with buckets of blood
