Mystics in Bali (1981)

• 36% of users liked it
  (100 ratings)

This region-specific horror film from Indonesia is one of the most infamous genre efforts to emerge from that land. The story represents a unique combination of Western horror film structure and Eastern lore: the plot focuses on Cathy (Ilona Agathe Bastian), a young writer who travels to Bali to… More This region-specific horror film from Indonesia is one of the most infamous genre efforts to emerge from that land. The story represents a unique combination of Western horror film structure and Eastern lore: the plot focuses on Cathy (Ilona Agathe Bastian), a young writer who travels to Bali to study the local black magic rites for a book she is writing. Unfortunately, the witch (Sofia W.D.) who trains her transforms Cathy into a vampiric slave who dines on the villagers as a part of a plan for the witch to attain immortality. Mahendra (Yos Santo), a local who has fallen for Cathy, enlists the help of the local holy men to stop the witch, leading to a war between the forces of good and evil magic. Along the way, viewers are treated to a variety of bizarre sights that directly reference Indonesian legends, including a woman transforming into a pig and a severed head that flies around with its body's internal organs attached. Mystics In Bali was not widely distributed outside of Indonesia during its original release but became a favorite in later years with cult film aficionados via video. Director H. Tjut Djalil continued to blend Eastern and Western horror elements in later, even wilder efforts like Lady Terminator and Dangerous Seductress. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi