May the Devil Take You 2018
Directed by
Timo Tjahjanto
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Lesmana Wijaya finds himself ensnared in a dark pact to attain riches, setting off a chain of events that unfurls through newspaper clippings chronicling his ominous ascent to fame. Amidst this, the tragic suicide of his first wife, Intan, and his subsequent marriage to the retired actress Laksmi lead him down a path toward inevitable bankruptcy. His estranged daughter, Alfie, grapples with deep resentment towards her father for marrying Laksmi, despite holding no animosity towards her step-siblings, Ruben, Maya, and Nara.
After years of separation, Alfie receives startling news that Lesmana has been hospitalized, stricken by a strange and terrifying illness that has left him in a coma. During her time at the hospital, she learns that Laksmi intends to scavenge through their dilapidated family villa for hidden treasures, leading Alfie to experience mysterious supernatural occurrences.
In a critical moment, Ruben reluctantly opens a sealed basement door at their mother’s urging, expecting to uncover hidden valuables. What he unleashes, however, is a malevolent supernatural force that simultaneously afflicts Lesmana and overtakes Laksmi, forcing her to turn violently against Maya. In a desperate attempt to secure medical assistance for her sister, Alfie’s efforts fail, resulting in a frantic Maya fleeing into the foreboding woods. In an intense confrontation, Maya overcomes her mother’s sinister influence but ultimately succumbs to the overwhelming presence and becomes a vessel for evil.
As Maya spirals further into darkness, she gruesomely murders Ruben’s girlfriend, Lily, who had come to help him, while Alfie and Ruben uncover the horrific truth behind Lesmana’s wealth—the sacrifices of innocent souls. Alfie’s memories resurface, revealing that her mother’s death was not a suicide but a consequence of Lesmana’s demonic bargain. The dark presence continues to wreak havoc, tormenting Alfie, Ruben, and Nara.
Maya’s return to the villa leads her to a chilling discovery—a collection of dolls crafted from the hair of each family member, moments before the malevolent being tempts her with the prospect of becoming a satanic priestess. Fully under its control, Maya violently turns against her siblings, urging Ruben to join her in their malevolent fate. His refusal results in a horrific act as she dismembers a doll made of his hair, symbolizing her betrayal. Meanwhile, Alfie, trapped in despair, glimpses the horrifying betrayal of her father as he murders the satanic priestess.
In a climactic moment, as chaos unfolds, she attempts to reach out to Maya but is met with mocking cruelty as the priestess declares Maya’s complete subjugation to her will. Determined to fight back, Alfie destroys Maya’s doll in flames—an act that leads to Maya’s tragic end. Seeking vengeance, Alfie digs up the priestess’s corpse to incinerate the portion of Lesmana’s hair she ingested. This act brings forth a sudden encounter with the priestess, who drags Alfie into the depths of darkness.
Emerging in a mud-filled pit, Alfie struggles for her freedom, only to find hope in the apparition of her mother’s hand. As she grasps for survival, realizing the truth of Nara’s sacrifice, they both escape the terrifying clutches of the villa, which now looms ominously with its secrets. As they leave, the camera lingers on the haunted interior, casting shadows over the once-familiar spaces, especially the dark, foreboding doorway of the basement, hinting that the horrors may not yet be over.
Timeline
Lesmana's Dark Pact
Lesmana Wijaya enters into a perilous pact in his quest for wealth, which sets off a series of ominous events. This decision marks the beginning of his tumultuous journey toward fame, accompanied by a grim sense of foreboding.
Intan's Tragic Suicide
Lesmana's first wife, Intan, tragically commits suicide, leaving an indelible mark on his life. This event foreshadows a downward spiral in Lesmana's personal and professional life, as he grapples with the heavy burden of loss.
Marriage to Laksmi
After Intan's death, Lesmana marries Laksmi, a retired actress, in a decision that stirs deep resentment in his estranged daughter, Alfie. Despite the marriage, Alfie feels no animosity towards her step-siblings, but the family dynamics become increasingly complex.
Alfie Learns of Lesmana's Hospitalization
Years after their separation, Alfie receives shocking news about her father's hospitalization due to a strange and terrifying illness. This revelation brings her back into the orbit of her father's life and the hidden darkness surrounding their family.
Search for Hidden Treasures
While at the hospital, Alfie discovers Laksmi's intention to search their family villa for hidden treasures. As she delves into the family's past, Alfie encounters mysterious supernatural occurrences that hint at the villa's dark secrets.
Ruben Opens the Basement Door
Under pressure from Laksmi, Ruben reluctantly opens a sealed basement door, unleashing a malevolent supernatural force. This event sets off a chain reaction that simultaneously afflicts Lesmana and propels Laksmi into violent madness.
Maya's Frantic Escape
After Laksmi turns against her, Maya flees into the ominous woods during a frantic attempt to escape the sinister influence. This desperate act underscores the escalating tension within the family as supernatural forces take hold.
Maya Becomes a Vessel for Evil
In a harrowing moment, Maya succumbs to the dark presence and transforms into a vessel for evil. Her newfound power leads to horrific violence, as she brutally murders her brother Ruben's girlfriend, Lily.
Uncovering the Dark Truth
Alfie and Ruben uncover the horrific truth behind Lesmana's wealth, realizing it stems from the sacrifice of innocent souls. This revelation forces Alfie to confront her past and the role her father played in the family's dark fate.
Maya's Chilling Discovery
Returning to the villa, Maya stumbles upon a ghastly collection of dolls made from the hair of family members. This grotesque find pushes Maya further into madness as she contemplates the offer of becoming a satanic priestess.
Maya Turns on Her Siblings
Under the dark influence, Maya turns violently against her siblings, attempting to recruit Ruben into her sinister plot. Her rejection leads to a horrific confrontation symbolized by her dismembering a doll made from his hair, showcasing her betrayal.
Alfie's Desperate Act
In a moment of desperation, Alfie tries to reach out to Maya but faces mockery from the now-powerful priestess. To combat the evil holding Maya captive, Alfie destroys Maya's doll, a significant act that leads to her tragic end.
Digging Up the Priestess's Corpse
Alfie uncovers the priestess's corpse, seeking vengeance for the horrors their family has endured. She incinerates a part of Lesmana's hair that the priestess had consumed, prompting an unexpected confrontation with the dark spirit.
Alfie's Struggle in the Pit
Alfie finds herself trapped in a mud-filled pit, struggling against the malevolent influences that surround her. In her darkest moment, she glimpses the apparition of her mother's hand, giving her hope and urging her towards survival.
Escaping the Villa's Haunting Secrets
Alongside Nara, Alfie escapes the terrifying clutches of the villa, leaving behind its haunted interior. As they step out, the camera lingeringly focuses on the dimly lit rooms and the basement door, suggesting that their battles may not yet be resolved.
Characters
Lesmana Wijaya (Ray Sahetapy)
Lesmana is depicted as a man whose ambition-driven greed leads him into a sinister pact for wealth. His decisions not only impact his own fate but also the lives of his family, illustrating the corrosive effects of material desires. The burden of his choices haunts him, particularly following the tragedy surrounding his first wife.
Alfie (Chelsea Islan)
Alfie, Lesmana's estranged daughter, is characterized by her deep resentment towards her father and her struggle to reconcile family loyalties amidst chaos. As events unfold, she finds herself grappling with fear and guilt, particularly regarding the true nature of her mother's death. Her journey reveals a complex emotional landscape marred by betrayal and a desire for truth.
Maya (Pevita Pearce)
Maya experiences a tragic transformation into a puppet of a malevolent force, which leads to her descent into darkness. Despite her initial innocence, she becomes a vessel for evil, complicating her relationships with her siblings. Her journey reflects themes of control and the loss of one's true self to darker influences.
Setting
Time period
The narrative does not specify a particular time period but unfolds in a contemporary setting where modern life intersects with supernatural elements. The themes of wealth and the consequences of past actions suggest a timeless struggle against dark forces.
Location
family villa, hospital, woods
The movie is primarily set in a dilapidated family villa that holds dark secrets and treasures. Its haunting interior is marked by ominous shadows and a foreboding basement. Key events also take place in a hospital where Lesmana is treated, and the surrounding woods become a refuge for characters escaping supernatural threats.
Themes
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Greed
At the core of the film is the theme of greed, exemplified by Lesmana's dark pact for wealth that leads to devastating consequences. The pursuit of riches brings about a tragic spiral into darkness, culminating in sacrifices that haunt the family. Characters confront their desires and the malevolent forces that arise from them, reflecting on the cost of ambition.
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Supernatural Horror
The film explores supernatural horror through the presence of a malevolent force unleashed within the family villa. Characters experience terrifying occurrences and their relationships are strained as they grapple with the implications of this dark entity. The horror escalates as family bonds are tested against this encroaching evil, leading to tragic outcomes.
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Betrayal
Betrayal permeates the film as characters experience treachery from those they hold dear. Alfie learns of her father's dark actions, while Maya becomes a vessel for evil, turning against her siblings. This theme underscores the destructive impact of deceit and the emotional turmoil that arises within familial ties.
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