Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean the scares stop. Many horror films are already terrifying and disturbing in their own right. The script, make-up, sets, props, visual and sound effects, and the actors’ performances all play a part in creating a great film. But what truly elevates a story is when it’s based on, or at least inspired by, real events.
Knowing that there’s truth behind these stories, even if they’ve been dramatised or exaggerated, can leave you walking out of the cinema with lingering thoughts about the survivors, the deaths, and the crimes committed. For this list, we’ll be focusing on local horror films that were based on or inspired by real-life events.
“Dukun” (2018)
Let’s start with one of the most well-known examples. “Dukun” is a 2018 horror film, originally intended for release in 2006, that was loosely based on the murder conviction of Mona Fandey, one of the most gruesome and sensational crimes in Malaysian history. The real-life case alone is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. Even if you’re not fully aware of every detail, the film leaves you both curious and unsettled, wondering just how much of it was drawn from true events.
“Highland Tower” (2013)
This next one isn’t exactly a “based on” or “inspired by true events” kind of film. However, it was shot at the abandoned Highland Towers, the site of the tragic 1993 collapse caused by a major landslide that claimed 48 lives, making it one of Malaysia’s worst disasters. The 2013 film “Highland Tower” takes a documentary-style approach, following a group of investigators on an expedition to the remaining two buildings in hopes of capturing paranormal activity.
“Jengka” (2015)
“Jengka” is a 2015 horror film starring Riezman Khuzaimi, Ramona Zamzam and Raja Azrey. The film is said to be based on the story of a pregnant woman who lost her unborn child while trying to escape through an oil palm estate in Jengka, Pahang. After a group of people discovered her unconscious in the estate, she appeared to be possessed by something — and strange occurrences soon began to unfold.
The baby was said to still be alive, but unseen. As for the real-life story that inspired the film, it was reportedly shared by an acquaintance of the screenwriter and director, Aziz M. Osman. In other words, the film was more or less a reenactment of the supposed events.
“Miimaland” (2020)
Similar to “Highland Tower”, this 2020 horror film was not “based on” or “inspired by” true events, but it was filmed at the abandoned Mimaland theme park, which was permanently closed in 1994 following a series of safety concerns, including the death of a visitor. While the “Miimaland” storyline is entirely fictional, it draws inspiration from the many urban legends surrounding the once lively attraction, which, to this day, remains a popular site for supernatural investigators.
