Munafik (Malay: Hypocrite) is a 2016 Malaysian supernatural horror film directed by Syamsul Yusof. It was his ninth film as well as his second horror film after Khurafat (2011) and starring Syamsul himself, Fizz Fairuz, Pekin Ibrahim and Nabila Huda. The film tells about Adam, a Muslim medical practitioner who is unable to carry on his job and accept the reality of his wife's death. After he meets Maria, unsettling things start to happen.
The film was released on February 25, 2016 in Malaysia and October 5, 2016 in Indonesia, received positive reviews from film critics and has grossed RM17.04 million nationwide, making Munafik as the best-selling Malaysian films of 2016 to date. The film garnering nine nominations at the 2016 Malaysian Film Festival and winning five, including Best National Language Film and Best Director (Syamsul). It's sequel, Munafik 2 is scheduled to be released in 2018.
Video Munafik
Plot
Adam, a traditional religious medical practitioner, and his wife got into an accident which caused his wife's death. Adam struggles to cope with the loss of his wife which has shaken his strong faith in religion and also stopped helping cure others as he feels 'incompetent' in his job. He eventually meets Maria, who suffered from depression. She later gets possessed by an evil spirit, in which Adam has no choice but have to help cure her. He however stumbles upon more revelations linking Maria to the accident that killed his wife. Adam then tries to cure Maria in her house with the help of his friend. Maria's spirit was too strong that his friend had to stop reciting his prayers to cure Maria. Maria's spirit laughs and pushes him against the wall. Adam, shocked by what was going on, continues reciting his prayers and then exorcises the spirit out of Maria's body.
Adam still could not accept the fact that his wife was dead and furiously wants to know who is the killer. Later, Adam's imam, Ali was found dead. His friend gets the news first and contacts Adam, who ended up ultimately shocked. His son also calls him to tell that his grandfather has gone out of the house. He also mentioned that his mother took care of him after his father went out. Adam, furious that the topic of his wife had somehow been brought up again since her death, yells at his son on the phone and slams it. In his sleep, Adam later dreams of himself digging out his wife's grave to prove his son that his mother was dead.
Adam insisted to Azman that all the happenings in the village are connected to Maria's demonic disturbances, with Imam Ali's death and Pak Osman's disappearance being the latest of events. He went home confronted by Fazli who shows hatred towards Adam. Thereafter Adam got a call from Zati that Pak Osman has been found. At Maria's place, Zati and Maria claims that they have uncovered who is behind all the disturbances. However, upon going into Pak Osman's room, Adam finds he is still missing and questions Zati and Maria, only to realise that they were apparitions and that he's been tricked into coming by the demonic entity.
At the hospital, Maria gets constantly chased by evil spirits. She tries to run away into the mortuary to find some comfort only for the spirit to continue following her. Adam finds the talisman which Imam Ali originally was holding before his death, doubting Zati and believing the talisman may be the cause of the recent incidences. He receives a call from Maria saying that she has been holding a dark secret with her and is willing to share. Maria also said that she cannot stand the torment she's going through any longer.
Adam rushes to Maria, despite his father's call for him to come back as he wishes to talk over the misunderstanding between him and Shah, confusing Adam even more. At the place where Maria is, Adam found her only to be attacked by demonic forces. Maria was seemingly thrown off a storey, fatally wounding her. Adam rushes to her side only to have the hard truth revealed to him; Maria has been the cause of the accident leading to his wife's death, and that she was controlled all along by the same demonic force haunting the village, and that is Pak Osman. Pak Osman reveals himself to have sold himself to the Devil for the riches of the world. Angry of the fact that Adam's faith in God has allowed many others to follow suit, including Maria herself, he sought to use Maria as a puppet to kill Adam in the car accident. A bolt of lightning strikes Pak Osman as he mercilessly attacks Adam.
Adam's dad arrived on the scene to unravel the misunderstandings; revealing that the reason Shah has been displaying uncanny behaviours to him was that he seemed to think his son, Amir had been alive all along, when in reality he also died from the same accident that killed his wife. Knowing this final truth, Adam runs away in sadness; asking help from God to grant him the strength to live and ease him of the hardships gone through.
Maps Munafik
Cast
- Syamsul Yusof as Ustaz Adam, a Muslim medical practitioner who is unable to carry on his job and accept the fact on his wife's death.
- Nabila Huda as Maria, a young girl who was believed to demons and satans, and later being possessed by them.
- Sabrina Ali as Zeti, Maria's stepmother after her biological mother died. She who went uneasy with her stepdaughter's attitude.
- Zarina Zainordin as Zulaikha, Ustaz Adam's wife who killed in a car accident.
- Ruzlan Abdullah as Amir, a grave digger.
- A. Galak as Imam Ali, a Muslim preacher.
- Rahim Razali as Rahim, Adam's father.
- Razib Salimin as Pak Osman, Maria's father and Zeti's husband.
- Fizz Fairuz as Iman, Adam's friend. he's the one who gave advice to Adam.
- Pekin Ibrahim as Fazli, Maria's boyfriend who always disturb Maria.
Production
Munafik was directed by Syamsul Yusof who previously directed Evolusi KL Drift (2008), Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan and Aku Bukan Tomboy (2011). It was his ninth film and second horror film as well as his first in 3 years after taking a long sabbatical from his directorial career, following his 2013 film, KL Gangster 2 being leaked on the internet prior to its theatrical release. According to Syamsul, he took two months to write the script and conducting a five months of research, including attending sermons from religious experts. In addition, he also took appropriate precaution on holy Koran verses usage in order to fight the unnatural forces causing the disturbances. According to him, there isn't any such film like Munafik were produced in Malaysia. He also had the chance to see how a Muslim medical practitioner treats a patient. Syamsul said it is happened to one of his nephews and had take him to see an Ustadz.
Nabila Huda, who previously worked under Syamsul for the 2009 film Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam and its 2012 sequel, Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2 was cast as Maria, a young girl was disturbed by satans. Sabrina Ali, who previously starred in 2011 film, Khurafat also directed by her cousin, Syamsul, was cast as Zeti. Other cast members include. Datuk Rahim Razali, A. Galak, Pekin Ibrahim, Fizz Fairuz, and Zarina Zainoordin. Principal photography on the film took more than 45 days, began on March 12, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley and Janda Baik, Pahang and concluded on April 25, 2015.
Release
Munafik was released in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei cinemas on 25 February 2016 to commercial and critical success. In Indonesia, it was screened in 30 cinemas throughout the country and has recorded over 15,000 audiences within five days. During the screening, there are audiences who claim that the spell used in the film is a real spell. Syamsul, however, denied the allegations and said it was a merely fictitious.
Reception
Box-office
After four days of screening, the movie managed to collect RM2.3 million before increased to RM3 million on the fifth day. The proceeds increased to RM4.3 million after a week of screening. The gross increased to RM8.5 million after eleven days. The proceeds rose to RM11 million after two weeks. Entering the eighteenth day, the collection reached RM12.97 million. The movie gross was increased to RM17 million on day twenty-six with total of RM17.04 million in its final theatrical run.
The film also has successfully collected RM2 million in Singapore.
Critical response
Munafik receives mixed reviews. It Caught My Eyes give a positive review for this movie, described: "At its heart, though, Munafik still is a horror story. A very good one at that. It didn't relied on jump scares and apparitions but when it did, it did so with style at appropriate times. It also made full use of the gloomy and grim atmosphere, even if at times you kind of wonder how in the hell does these people survive at such dimly lit environment.." Bobby Batara writing for All Film Magazine, giving four out of five stars dan praised the film as "a Malaysian film with the horror films of the Indonesian era of '70 -80s. Packed with a strong atmosphere of sharia ideology." In a positive review for Detik Hot, Masyaril Ahmad said Munafik has a horrific charm compared to the horror films with the theme of the eviction of the devil, he described the horror and religious affiliation in Munafik to inspire new spirits in the strong Malay soul.
Music
The film's official soundtrack entitled "Kalah Dalam Menang", performed by Mawi and Syamsul Yusof and released on February 26, 2016. Its music video was released on February 12, 2016 and directed by Syafiq Yusof, and available for digital download and streaming on iTunes and Spotify.
Accolades
Munafik receive 9 nominations at the 28th Malaysian Film Festival, winning 5 including Best National Language Film. Together with Pekin Ibrahim's directorial debut, Mat Moto, Ghaz Abu Bakar's Polis Evo and seven other films, it was nominated for the Best Film category. Nabila Huda won Best Actress, while Polis Evo took Best Cinematography and Chiu Keng Guan's Ola Bola won Best Original Music Score, in which Munafik was nominated. Also in 2016, Munafik receive two nominations at the 2016 KL Film Critics' Council Awards, winning one.
At the 2016 Anugerah Skrin, the film receive 7 nominations, winning one, namely Best Director for Syamsul Yusof. Tunku Mona Riza's Redha won the Best Film category. For the Best Screenplay, in which Syamsul was nominated, Wan Hasliza Zainuddin won the category for her 2015 film, Love Supermoon. In 2017, Munafik won the MeleTOP Film while Syamsul and Nabila was nominated for MeleTOP Film Stars, however, Fasha Sandha won the category. At the 2017 Bintang Popular Berita Harian Awards, Syamsul and Nabila won the Best Chemistry on Film category.
Sequel
With the box office success of Munafik, Syamsul Yusof and Skop Production announce their intention to film its sequel. Pre-production began and filming began in late 2016. Principal photography began on March 20, 2017 and took place in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley, filming wrapped on April 8, 2017.
References
External links
- Munafik on IMDb
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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