Satan's Slaves: Communion (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie primarily takes place in Jakarta, Indonesia, specifically at Mandara Apartments, a decaying high-rise building that becomes the central location for the supernatural events. The story also briefly visits Bosscha Observatory, an astronomical research facility in the Indonesian highlands, where the initial horrifying discovery is made.

• jakarta
• mandara apartments
• bosscha observatory
• setting
• indonesia

The movie uses a dual-timeline structure set 29 years apart. The main narrative unfolds in 1984 in a declining Jakarta, while the backstory is set in 1955 during the significant Bandung Conference. This time gap is central to understanding the cult's cycle and the family's connection to events.

• 1984
• 1955
• bandung conference
• timeline
• 1980s
• 1950s

The movie centers on a cult with deep roots in Indonesian occult traditions. Characters must confront the spectral legacy of this cult, which has been operating for decades. The supernatural forces are tied to the exhumed corpses and dark rituals that the characters discover, creating a persistent atmosphere of haunting and dread.

• cult
• supernatural
• occult
• ghosts
• paranormal
• horror

Family trauma is a central theme as characters grapple with deadly revelations and tragic losses. The story explores how secrets kept among loved ones create lasting damage, and the struggle to rebuild family bonds becomes essential as characters navigate life-altering tragedies. The 29-year cult cycle has deeply affected multiple generations.

• family
• trauma
• secrets
• loss
• tragedy
• generations

The film explores the tension between journalistic integrity and personal cost. Characters face ethical dilemmas about revealing dark secrets that could tarnish reputations, even when those secrets involve dangerous supernatural threats. The relentless pursuit of truth despite danger is a key driver of the narrative.

• truth
• secrecy
• journalism
• investigation
• ethics
• secrets

Budiman Syailendra is a seasoned newspaper journalist who becomes entangled in the mystery and occult activities. His strong moral compass drives his commitment to uncovering the truth, even as he balances personal and professional obligations amid supernatural chaos. He serves as the investigative lens through which the audience learns about the cult.

• budiman
• journalist
• investigator
• newspaper
• truth

Rini is a determined and resilient young woman struggling to provide for her family amidst terrifying circumstances. Unlike characters with supernatural abilities, her strength comes from her emotional resilience and vulnerability as she copes with loss and the unfolding supernatural events. She represents human perseverance against dark forces.

• rini
• resilience
• family
• strength
• survival

Wisnu is a sensitive young boy who lost his mother and uses sign language as his primary way of communicating. This ability creates a unique connection to the supernatural world, suggesting communication beyond normal human senses. His role becomes pivotal in the unfolding events as he perceives things others cannot.

• wisnu
• sign language
• supernatural
• communication
• child

Bahri Suwono is a mysterious figure who takes on odd jobs while hiding a dark secret tied to the occult. His character arc reveals the burdens of his past and his connection to the cult's sinister activities, creating a layered and tragic persona. He represents how deeply the cult has infiltrated ordinary society.

• bahri suwono
• cult
• mysterious
• occult
• hidden past

The 29-year cycle represents the systematic pattern of the cult's operations, revealed through the dual-timeline narrative spanning from 1955 to 1984. This cyclical nature suggests the cult has operated for generations, with events in the past directly influencing the present, creating a layered mystery involving manipulation and dark rituals.

• cult
• cycle
• 29 years
• timeline
• generations
• pattern

The Indonesian setting provides a unique cultural context for the horror, incorporating local occult traditions and beliefs. The Bosscha Observatory and Mandara Apartments blend real Indonesian locations with supernatural dread. The historical backdrop of the 1955 Bandung Conference era adds political undertones to the mystery, while 1984 Jakarta reflects societal decline.

• indonesian horror
• culture
• setting
• local traditions
• atmosphere