Monster Pabrik Rambut Opens in Theaters Today, Bringing Retro Fantasy Horror About Workers’ Anxiety  

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com— Monster Pabrik Rambut, a retro fantasy horror film directed by Edwin, opens simultaneously in cinemas across Indonesia on Thursday (June 4, 2026). Produced by Palari Films, the movie offers a different kind of horror experience by highlighting workers’ concerns over overtime culture and sleep deprivation, issues that are often considered normal in many workplaces.

Starring Rachel Amanda, Lutesha, Iqbaal Ramadhan, Didik Nini Thowok, Sal Priadi, and Kev, the film tells a story set in a hair factory, creating a chilling atmosphere through the routines of everyday work life.

Unlike most Indonesian horror films that rely on supernatural elements, Monster Pabrik Rambut presents terror that emerges from the workplace itself. Boss Maryati, portrayed by Didik Nini Thowok, is depicted as a factory owner who appears friendly on the surface but runs exploitative labor practices. The strange incidents experienced by the workers become the film’s primary source of tension.

Edwin said the film’s suspense does not stem from the presence of ghosts, but from situations that are familiar to many people.

“The tension and horror in Monster Pabrik Rambut are created from situations we face in our daily working lives, without having to involve ghosts. There are other forms that can become sources of terror,” he said in Jakarta recently.

Through the film, Edwin also criticizes excessive work culture, or hustle culture, which is often viewed as something positive. According to him, working without limits can create conditions that are just as frightening as conventional horror stories.

The film’s visual approach is another major attraction. Edwin chose to use practical effects without CGI to create a retro fantasy horror atmosphere inspired by Indonesian films of the 1980s.

To achieve this vision, the production team transformed Studio PFN into a hair factory complete with real hair, mannequins, prosthetics, and various elements commonly found in the wig-making industry.

Producer Meiske Taurisia said the initial idea for the film came from the belief that workplaces can sometimes feel more frightening than horror movies themselves.

According to her, the experience of dealing with workplace pressure is something almost everyone can relate to, regardless of their profession.

Meanwhile, Rachel Amanda believes the film’s theme is highly relevant to workers’ everyday lives. She described the story as a reflection of less-than-ideal working conditions.

“What feels most relatable about this film is that we as workers often work overtime, sometimes even sacrificing important parts of our lives such as family time or personal leisure. The story and its characters show just how horrifying the working world can be, even when those conditions are normalized,” she said.

Iqbaal Ramadhan, who plays the character Bona, described his role as a unique and fantastical figure who also symbolizes resistance against the excessive productivity demands commonly found in today’s workplaces.

In addition to being an Indonesian production, Monster Pabrik Rambut is also a five-country co-production involving Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and France.

Before its domestic release, the film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival 2026 and was screened at several other international festivals, including the Brussels Fantastic Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival 2026.

The film follows Putri, who loses her mother after she works day and night without sleep. When suspicions arise that her mother died under the influence of a mysterious figure haunting the factory where they worked, Putri and her younger sister Ida set out to uncover the truth.

At the same time, they must save Bona, their youngest sibling, who possesses the ability to regenerate his body and becomes the target of the mysterious dark figure.