Busan 2025: The buzz titles from Southeast Asia

Bride of the Covenant (Viet)

Dir. Le-Van Kiet
Set in 19th century Vietnam, Kiet’s latest film blends local folk beliefs with body horror as it follows a young bride who is suffocated by the new household’s bizarre code of conduct, entangled in unchecked desires and deadly curses. It is set for an international premiere here in the Midnight Passion strand and a Korean release in October through Lotte Cinema, following a Vietnamese release on September 12 through Lotte Entertainment Vietnam. Vietnam-US director Kiet’s credits include hit action film Furie, The Princess and The Requin, starring Alicia Silverstone.
Contact: Lotte Entertainment 

Dance Of The Damned (Indo)

Dir. Charles Gozali
The horror feature is a spin-off from successful action horror films Qodrat and its sequel, both also directed by Charles, which drew a combined 4 million admissions in Indonesia and box office receipts of more than $1.9m (RM8m) in Malaysia. The story revolves around the tragedy that falls upon a pair of piggyback clown street performers as a mysterious entity triggers a string of terror attacks amid traditional rituals and bloody revenge. The cast is led by Marthino Lio, Dayinta Melira, Clara Bernadeth and Derby Romero, with a local release scheduled for 2026. It is produced by Magma Entertainment along with Malaysia’s Komet Production.
Contact: Magma Entertainment

Janur Ireng (Indo)

Dir. Kimo Stamboel
Kimo’s latest horror is a prequel to his smash hit Sewu Dino, which recorded 5.2 million admissions in 2023. The plot follows a couple in dire straits who are taken to live with a rich merchant family, without realising there is a sinister plan to exploit them. The cast is led by Marthino Lio, Ratu Rafa, Tora Sudiro and Rio Dewanto. The tentpole title is produced by MD Pictures’ co-founder Manoj Punjabi and is scheduled for a year-end release. Kimo was part of directing duo The Mo Brothers before going solo. His Dancing Village: The Curse Begins, a prequel to megahit KKN Di Desa Penari, plays in Busan’s Special Screenings.
Contact: Nadia Saraswati Iswara, MD Pictures 

My Last Carnival (Viet)

Dir. Le Thanh Son
Set for a 2026 release, during the lucrative Tet lunar new year holiday in Vietnam, this family comedy reunites Tuan Tran and Phuong Anh Dao, the breakout stars of 2024’s Mai, Vietnam’s second highest grossing film of all time with takings of $20.8m (VND551bn). The story follows a free-spirit coastal villager who discovers that he has fathered a child from a sperm donation several years ago. He must now navigate parenting and confront long-standing family conflicts. It is produced by Mockingbird’s sister company Bluebells Studios. Director Le’s previous work includes hit romantic comedy Jailbait, which grossed $6.5m (VND172bn) in 2017.
Contact: Nha My, Mockingbird Pictures 

Scarier Movie (Thai)

Dir. Banjong Sintanamongkolgul
This horror film is a parody of popular Thai films and centres on haunted forest Dong Khomot, made famous in the Death Whisperer film franchise. The story follows a young man who is arrested for the mysterious death of his grandma, owner of a valuable durian orchard. He must brace himself to enter Dong Khomot and locate his grandma’s lawyer, the only witness who can prove his innocence. The cast includes Priyakarn Jaikantha, Thanachaphon Kuowongbundit and Suwajanee Panichchiwa. A Thai release is scheduled for early 2026. Director Banjong previously made 2009’s Haunted Universities and recent drama series The Stone Of Affection.
Contact: 13 Studio 

Tharae The Exorcist (Thai)

Dir. Taweewat Wantha
The latest horror from Taweewat, the director of box office sensation Death Whisperer and its sequel, follows a by-the-book priest and a rogue shaman who must set aside their differences to confront a vengeful demon that resurfaces in Thailand’s largest Catholic village. The cast is led by James Jirayu Tangsrisuk, Nichaphat Chatchaipholrat, Thaneth Warakulnukroh and Ongart Cheamcharoenpornkul. With funding support from Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA), it is produced by Sahamongkolfilm International, which handles the sales of Taiwan and Southeast Asia, with the rest of the world by Korea’s K-Movie. It opened in Thailand on August 7.
Contact: K-Movie Entertainment 

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