Joko Anwar's 'Satan's Slaves: Origin' lands global sales deal

Barunson E&A has boarded Joko Anwar's "Satan's Slaves: Origin" for worldwide sales, extending the Korean studio's two-year exclusive partnership with the Indonesian horror filmmaker. The prequel will launch to international buyers at the Toronto Film Festival market in September, ahead of a targeted 2027 theatrical release in Indonesia.

The deal marks the next chapter in one of Southeast Asia's most successful horror franchises. Anwar's revival of the "Satan's Slaves" series helped jump-start Indonesia's current horror boom, and this third installment promises to answer long-standing questions about the cult and demonic pact at the heart of the story.

Key Takeaways

• Barunson E&A, the studio behind Bong Joon Ho's Oscar-winning "Parasite," will handle worldwide sales for "Satan's Slaves: Origin."
• The prequel spans 16th-century Strasbourg and a haunted 17th-century lighthouse on Java's southern coast, filmed in seven languages.
• The project is in pre-production and targets a 2027 theatrical release in Indonesia.
• Barunson will introduce the film to buyers at the Toronto Film Festival's inaugural market this September.
• The deal follows the success of Anwar and Barunson's "Ghost in the Cell," which sold to 150 territories and drew over 3.3 million local admissions.

What is 'Satan's Slaves: Origin' about?

Officially titled "Pengabdi Setan 3: Origin" in Indonesia, the film is the third entry in Joko Anwar's blockbuster horror franchise — but it works as a standalone prequel. Rather than continuing the modern-day story, it traces the cult and demonic pact from the first two movies back to their source.

The narrative opens with an outbreak of mass hysteria in 16th-century Strasbourg, drawing on a real incident recorded in 1518. It then jumps to a haunted lighthouse on Java's southern coast in the 17th century. Anwar has called it the most ambitious production of his career, spanning two continents and filmed in Indonesian, Alsatian, Portuguese, Javanese, Dutch, Turkish and Latin.

"This film is everything I didn't know I was building toward — the one that finally answers where the curse came from, why it never stopped, and what it's really after," Anwar said in a statement reported by Variety.

Why does the Barunson E&A deal matter for Indonesian horror?

The "Satan's Slaves" name carries significant weight in Indonesia. Rapi Films' original 1980 version is a local cult classic. Anwar's 2017 revival topped that year's local box office and is credited with reviving the country's horror genre. The 2022 sequel, "Satan's Slaves: Communion," became the first Indonesian film to play in IMAX and remains among the six highest-grossing local releases ever.

Barunson E&A's involvement signals continued international appetite for Indonesian genre filmmaking. The studio's last collaboration with Anwar, the horror-comedy "Ghost in the Cell," bowed at the Berlin Film Festival, sits at No. 2 on Indonesia's 2026 local box office chart, and has sold to 150 territories — with Plaion taking Germany and Well Go USA taking North America.

Barunson CEO Choi Yoonhee said the project proves "Indonesian filmmakers are telling some of the boldest genre stories in the world right now." The studio has also recently boarded other Asian genre titles including Banjong Pisanthanakun's "Inherit," the Indonesian zombie thriller "Zona Merah: Dead City" and the Korean occult film "Stoneborn."

When will 'Satan's Slaves: Origin' be released?

The film is currently in pre-production, with Rapi Films producing and Anwar writing and directing. Come and See Pictures, Sky Media and Legacy Pictures are co-producing. A 2027 theatrical release in Indonesia is the target, though international rollout details will depend on deals struck at the Toronto market.

For fans tracking upcoming horror and streaming developments, this prequel represents one of the most anticipated genre releases on the horizon. Keep an eye on our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for updates as sales and release dates firm up.

Who is producing 'Satan's Slaves: Origin'?

Rapi Films leads production on the project, continuing its decades-long stewardship of the "Satan's Slaves" franchise. Anwar serves as both writer and director, building on his established creative control over the modern trilogy.

Co-producers Come and See Pictures, Sky Media and Legacy Pictures round out the production team. With Barunson E&A now handling worldwide sales, the project enters the international market with the backing of a studio that has already demonstrated strong results distributing Anwar's work globally.