7 Is Indonesian Horror Cinema Becoming More Creative, or Is It Stuck in the Same Formula? Indonesian horror films continue to draw attention, but how do audiences perceive their creativity? Our latest survey explores viewers’ opinions of local horror cinema and where they believe the genre could improve. Optimism Leads, but Skepticism Remains Strong Among all respondents, 36.2% believe that local horror films have become more creative and varied. However, a considerable share hold a more critical view, 25.3% feel that local horror films increasingly follow the same formula, 22.9% say they do not closely follow the genre, and 15.6% openly state that the industry has run out of ideas because the stories feel repetitive. A generational divide is also evident. Gen Z respondents are more optimistic, with 39.4% saying horror films are becoming more creative, compared with 32.7% of Gen Y. Conversely, Gen Y respondents are more likely to express fatigue with repetitive formulas. Predictable Jump Scares Are a Shared Frustration Among those who find local horror films increasingly dull (496 respondents),the leading reason is the same across generations predictable jump scares. The second most cited reason is the repetitive nature of stories marketed as ‘based on a true story’. Notability, Gen Y respondents are more likely to notice similarities in film titles and posters. In this group, 9.8% identified the issue as a concern, more than double the 3.9% recorded among Gen Z. Local vs. International Horror: Gen Z Is More Critical When asked to compare local and international horror films, 27.8% of respondents consider local productions to be scarier and more relatable to everyday life. However, the results differ by generation. Some 29.7% of Gen Z respondents say local horror films are enjoyable but still fall short of international films in quality. Meanwhile, 28.9% of Gen Y respondents take a neutral stance, viewing the differences as a matter of taste and considering the two difficult to compare directly. In short, Gen Z is both one of the strongest supporters of local horror and among its most critical audiences. Conclusion The local horror industry is at an interesting point. Audience support remains strong, yet viewers are also becoming more discerning about storytelling quality. The clearest takeaway for filmmakers is this: move beyond predictable jump scares.Want to explore more insights into Indonesian consumer trends? Read our report or create your own survey with Jakpat!
