Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Munafik 2’ on Netflix, a Malaysian Horror Flick Pitting a Muslim Healer Against Satan Worshippers

With Munafik 2, Netflix introduces the world to a Malaysian phenomenon. In 2018, writer/director/star Syamsul Yusof’s horror sequel made more money at the Malaysian box office than any locally made film, ever. The film series — intended to be a trilogy — stars Yusof as Ustaz Adam, a Muslim healer who lost his wife and, in the process of reaffirming his faith, became a heroic spiritual leader. And as these things go, this time, he must confront a great evil that’s spreading its influence and terrorizing a local woman.

MUNAFIK 2: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Adam is haunted by recurring nightmares — presumably the events of the first Munafik, which include ghastly images of demons and a woman’s severed head. But he soldiers on with his faith, determined to be a positive spiritual presence in his community. It’s worth noting that “munafik” translates from Malay as “hypocrite,” which the dialogue points out is a great sin in Islam.

Adam is called into duty when an aging religious leader in a village nearby appears to be possessed by “jinn,” zombiesque creatures under the influence of Satan himself. The old man’s daughter, Sakinah (Maya Karin), and granddaughter, Aina (Nur Zara Sofia), are harassed and captured by Abuja (Nasir Bilal Khan), a sneering, snarling, black-robed Satanist using black magic to amass an army of follower. His practice, of course, involves outright human sacrifice. Yipes!

So Adam has his work cut out for him. Especially after the jinn attack his own family, and his rescue mission becomes one of vengeance. Adam must confront Abuja, and determine who is the greater, more knowledgeable spiritual leader, first by endlessly shouting declarations of said knowledge at each other in many scenes, and then with lots of chanting and bloodshed. Is Adam up to the task?

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Adam’s ability to cast out demons from within people brings to mind The Exorcist, albeit with the modern direction and effects of a post-torture-porn horror flick. And apologies for any implied blasphemy here, but the jinn remind me of the Deadites from Evil Dead, in their design, presentation and comedy, unintentional as any of this may be.

Performance Worth Watching: Nasir Bilal Khan makes for one hell of a devil worshipper, veering into campville with frequent bellowing exhortations and a permascowl to rival Tommy Lee Jones’ in unpleasant disapproval of the entirety of existence. The performance serves to make Yusof’s portrayal of Adam all the more sincere, I suppose.

Memorable Dialogue: A line like “Even my saliva is more honorable than all of your descendants!”, bellowed by Abuja at Adam, has me wondering if something is lost in translation here, or if this movie really is that bonkers.

Single Best Shot: When Adam is knocked out and awakens in a coffin atop a maggot-infested corpse, it’s like TFW you wake up in the morning and wonder exactly how much you drank last night.

Sex and Skin: “Sexy” and Munafik 2 don’t belong in the same sentence.

Our Take: Munafik 2 is a visually impressive work. Yusof is certainly an inspired director, employing creative angles, creating moody atmosphere and using creepy practical effects instead of chintzy CGI. And the cinematography is terrific — the film is full of thoughtfully composed shots designed to raise an eyebrow even when they don’t necessarily fit the work thematically.

The dialogue, however, can be howlingly bad. The movie’s heaviest dramatic confrontations include endless recitations of passages from the Koran, and if you’re of a different faith, it can be a struggle to contextualize, and sounds like gibberish. Adam and Abuja often trade accusations of hypocrisy and invocations of Allah at each other over and over and over again.

Yusof tends to drag out scenes far beyond their tensile ability to maintain suspense. Thematically, the director seems content to deploy a preachy message about staying true to the Muslim faith lest you be consumed by the type of evil that murders children and rapes women. (Speaking of, there’s an implied gang-rape scene that struck me as distasteful and unnecessary.) The sound designer deploys so many exaggerated CLANGS and WHOOSHES and SHRIEKS you’ll want them to lay off the espresso for a while. And watch out for that third-act deus ex machina!

Our Call: SKIP IT. Munafik 2 looks great, and Khan devours scenery much to our amusement. But the film is tedious in almost every other way.

John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter: @johnserba.

Stream Munafik 2 on Netflix