Menjelang Magrib (2022) – A Terrifying Indonesian Found Footage Horror You Shouldn't Miss!

Found footage horror lovers, get ready for a fresh scare from Indonesia! Menjelang Magrib, internationally known as Before Night Falls, is a chilling indie horror film that blends local myths with the raw, shaky realism of found footage style. If you enjoy atmospheric horror with a touch of Southeast Asian folklore, this one definitely deserves a spot on your watchlist.

🎥 Quick Synopsis

The story follows a group of psychology students who visit an old, isolated mental hospital in a remote village as part of their thesis research. Their main focus is on an enigmatic patient named Nina, who has been confined for years after displaying bizarre, violent behavior that locals believe is caused by supernatural possession. As the sun sets and maghrib (sunset prayer time) approaches, strange and terrifying occurrences begin to unfold, and the students find themselves trapped in a deadly supernatural encounter.

📌 What Makes This Film Stand Out?

📍 Location: Hauntingly Authentic

The film was shot in a real, long-abandoned psychiatric hospital deep in the Indonesian countryside. The decaying walls, moldy rooms, and eerie atmosphere of the actual location add a bone-chilling sense of authenticity to every scene. You can practically feel the damp air and hear the creaking doors through the screen. The location itself becomes one of the scariest elements of the film.

🎥 Camerawork: Found Footage Done Right

Unlike many low-budget found footage films that rely too heavily on shaky cam and overexposed night vision, Menjelang Magrib uses its handheld camerawork cleverly to build tension. The film captures both daytime interviews and nighttime terror sequences, smoothly transitioning from controlled, documentary-style footage to chaotic, panic-filled handheld shots when things go wrong. The clever use of lighting — or complete lack of it — is a huge plus.

🌫️ Atmosphere: Oppressive and Supernatural

The movie nails that claustrophobic, slow-burning dread atmosphere. From eerie sound design (whispers, footsteps, distant screams) to sudden, unexplained phenomena, it keeps viewers guessing what’s real and what’s not. The film smartly leans into Indonesian folklore and beliefs about the supernatural world being strongest at twilight — a unique cultural touch often missing in mainstream horror.

🧟 Interesting Fact

According to interviews with the cast and crew, some of them reportedly experienced strange occurrences during filming — from equipment failures to unexplained cold spots and eerie sounds when no one else was around. The director even claimed that they performed a ruqyah (Islamic exorcism ritual) before production to avoid supernatural interference. Whether real or hype, it adds an extra layer of creepiness.

🖼️ Image Preview

Image Source: Google Images

🎬 Official Trailer

📺 Where to Watch

You can stream Menjelang Magrib (2022) on these platforms:

• Vidio.com (Official Indonesian streaming platform)
• Netflix Indonesia (if available in your region)

🖤 My Personal Take

As someone who’s been a longtime fan of found footage horror — from The Blair Witch Project to Grave Encounters — I was genuinely surprised by Menjelang Magrib. It captures the core essence of found footage: the illusion of authenticity, the fear of the unknown, and the slow, creeping dread that builds with every frame.

The film’s incorporation of Indonesian myths and rural superstitions about maghrib being a dangerous time when spirits roam freely is a brilliant cultural touch. It’s not overly reliant on cheap jump scares either; instead, it builds tension through oppressive silence, dark corridors, and the fear of what you can’t see.

Sure, some performances feel a little stiff at times — a common flaw in found footage films — but it actually adds to the documentary-like realism. I’d recommend this film to anyone who loves atmospheric, culturally rooted horror with a strong sense of place. Just don’t watch it alone before sunset!