Nikita Mirzani Returns to the Big Screen as Enigmatic Ledhek Dancer
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesian production house Ganesa Films officially launched the poster and first trailer of its upcoming horror film Syirik (Danyang Laut Selatan) on Monday, May 20. The launch event took place at Cinepolis Senayan Park, attended by cast members including Richele Skornicki, Donny Alamsyah, Kinaryosih, and Totos Rasiti.
Scheduled for theatrical release on June 19, 2025, Syirik (Danyang Laut Selatan) explores the supernatural through a culturally grounded lens, combining horror with emotional storytelling and local tradition.
Directed by Hestu Saputra, the film centers on Said (Teuku Rasya), a young man returning to his coastal village after years of studying at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school). His homecoming, however, coincides with a series of disturbing supernatural occurrences that threaten those closest to him—particularly Sari (Richele Skornicki), the girl he has long loved.
The plot thickens as Sari is chosen to become the village’s principal ledhek dancer, inheriting a role steeped in mysticism and secret rituals. As Said uncovers long-buried family secrets and the sinister forces at play, he is faced with a moral and spiritual battle to save his community.
One of the film’s most anticipated performances comes from Nikita Mirzani, who portrays Ningsih, Sari’s enigmatic rival. Her portrayal as a powerful and seductive dancer adds a layer of mystique and psychological tension to the film. The role marks Mirzani’s return to the big screen, drawing attention from both her fans and film critics.
The trailer, which runs for just over two minutes, opens with a haunting Javanese song and a ritual scene that sets the tone for the film’s eerie atmosphere. The poster reveals Sari at the center, surrounded by village figures, occult symbols, and serpents—visual metaphors for the film’s underlying spiritual and cultural conflicts.
In a press statement, Hestu Saputra shared that the film is deeply personal, inspired by his childhood experiences in a coastal village in southern Java. “This is not just about horror for the sake of fear. It’s about emotional wounds, inherited trauma, and the courage to break away from destructive traditions,” he said.
Producer Chandir Bhagwandas emphasized that the film’s approach balances local cultural richness with themes accessible to modern audiences. “Despite its strong cultural elements, Syirik is ultimately a story about forbidden love, ambition, betrayal, and the search for identity—universal themes that will resonate, especially with Gen Z,” he noted.
The film also tackles the dark side of cultural legacy, exploring topics such as black magic, ancestral manipulation, and the misuse of traditional rituals for power. From ledhek dance and village purification ceremonies to the myth of the Ratu Selir (Queen Consort), Syirik seeks to portray Javanese mysticism with both cinematic flair and cultural respect.
