It Exists (2014): Malaysia’s Hidden Found Footage Gem That Will Haunt Your Night
It Exists (2014): Malaysia’s Hidden Found Footage Gem That Will Haunt Your Night
When it comes to Southeast Asian horror, Malaysia has delivered some seriously eerie films — and It Exists (2014) is one of those rare found footage gems that deserves way more attention. If you’re a fan of shaky cameras, cryptic forests, and legends that refuse to stay buried, this movie might just creep under your skin.
📖 Quick Synopsis
Directed by Eduardo Mahadi, It Exists follows a group of friends who venture deep into a secluded Malaysian forest to document an urban legend for their YouTube channel. What starts as a casual weekend of filming quickly descends into a nightmare as the group realizes something ancient, feral, and violently territorial is stalking them. One by one, they vanish into the dense jungle — all captured on their cameras. (Source: IMDb)
Image Source: TMDb
🎥 What Makes This Film Stand Out?
🌳 The Creepy Malaysian Jungle Setting
The dense, untamed forests of Malaysia serve as the perfect backdrop for a found footage horror. Filmed on location in Pahang’s ancient rainforests, the natural environment feels both beautiful and ominous. The towering trees, mist-covered paths, and unfamiliar wildlife create a constant sense of vulnerability. The idea of being lost in such an unpredictable, primeval setting is genuinely unsettling.
📹 Found Footage with a Local Flavor
Unlike many Western-style found footage movies, It Exists incorporates cultural elements unique to Malaysia. From eerie superstitions to old folk tales shared around a fire, the film captures a truly local horror vibe. The use of handheld cameras, GoPros, and even a drone adds layers of perspective to the footage, making the audience feel like an invisible witness to the terror unfolding.
🌌 Atmosphere & Sound Design
The film’s soundscape is a standout feature. Instead of relying on a musical score, the movie uses natural sounds of the forest — crickets, distant growls, rustling leaves, and sudden loud crashes. This creates an incredibly immersive atmosphere. The occasional traditional chanting and whispers in Malay add an extra chill factor, especially during night scenes.
📖 Fascinating Local Lore
The creature stalking the group isn’t your generic monster. Inspired by Malaysian folklore, it’s believed to be a Hantu Rimba — a jungle spirit known for protecting the sacred grounds of the forest. The filmmakers cleverly weave bits of real legends into the narrative, giving the horror an authentic cultural touch that sets it apart from typical found footage films.
📺 Watch the Trailer
Trailer via YouTube
🎞️ Where to Watch
Ready to brave the jungle? You can stream It Exists (2014) on these platforms:
✍️ Personal Thoughts
I didn’t expect much when I stumbled across It Exists, but this film honestly impressed me. The combination of local folklore, atmospheric jungle locations, and the raw tension of found footage makes it one of Malaysia’s most underrated horror films. The fact that it borrows and modernizes ancient legends makes it stand out in a genre often saturated with clichés.
The pacing is tight, especially in the second half when the group’s numbers dwindle and the fear becomes almost suffocating. There’s one chase scene through the dense trees at night, shot entirely in night vision, that genuinely had me on edge.
If you’re a fan of Southeast Asian horror films like Seru, Highland Tower, or Roh, you’ll probably enjoy It Exists. It delivers intense scares without relying too heavily on jump scares, opting instead for creeping dread and unseen terror. Highly recommended for horror junkies looking for something different and rooted in local myth.
🔍 Final Verdict
It Exists (2014) is a well-crafted, eerie, and culturally rich found footage horror that proves Malaysia has a place in the global horror conversation. It’s haunting, immersive, and unafraid to embrace its local roots.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ (4/5)
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