Overview: She’s known as “an icon” (Hi-Def Digest), “a cult legend” (Gizmodo) and “an inspiration for modern scream queens” (The Final Girls). Nearly two decades after her passing, she remains “Indonesia’s Ultimate Queen of Horror” (Screen Anarchy).

In this 3 disc/6 film collection, discover Suzzanna for the very first time…or as you’ve never experienced her before: In PACT WITH THE FORCES OF DARKNESS, Suzzanna stars as a woman who returns from the dead for violent revenge, complete with knockoff Freddy Krueger glove. Suzzanna portrays a regal reptile empress and her mortal twin sister in the wild WHITE CROCODILE QUEEN. MALAM SATU SURO and KLIWON FRIDAY NIGHT both star Suzzanna in her most famous role as the grisly ghost of feminist vengeance, Sundelbolong.

And in the “fascinating” (Cinapse) Severin Films documentary SUZZANNA: THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC, director David Gregory peels back every startling layer of her controversial life, death and legacy. The 4 Soraya Productions have been scanned in 2K from their original camera negatives in English-friendly versions for the first time ever in America, with over 3 hours of Special Features that include revealing interviews, expert analysis and Suzzanna’s final film, GHOST AMBULANCE.

Blu-ray Verdict: First up is PACT WITH THE FORCES OF DARKNESS (1991) where a greedy businessman wants a promotion so bad he arranges for a work rival and his entire family to be murdered. The wife / mother then returns as a vengeful ghost armed with a steel-clawed gloved.

In what is basically an Indonesian rip-off of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 (and a little part 5) starring Suzzanna, this is no Queen of Black Magic, let me tell you that, but it’s a far more wacky, fun time than Indonesia’s previous ’86 rip Satan’s Bed, as that was just a remake of the first. This has fun unique moments such as Suzzanna being chainsawed in half as not-Freddy and through magical blue screen editing much like that of Japan’s Hausu, wiggled in two pieces. Gang shooting opens the picture and gory one-on-one finishes. Allahu akbar, not-Freddy!

Definitely the goriest of the east Asian Elm Street clones I’ve seen, with a disgusting abomination lift of Freddy’s souls tearing out of his bubbling body, only it’s just a human here. The cockroach barbell lift is stolen too and may be even bloodier than the original. From Dream Child they split up Dan’s death, first with the motorcycle, and then later with the acid in the truck.

Dream Master gets charming love with the meatball heads of those killed before, and beach Freddy-shark explodes with real fiery boom booms before a man is pushed beneath the sand by Suzzanna’s foot. It’s not the second coming of any prophet but it eventually got there. That’s the important part. [B.B.]

Then comes WHITE CROCODILE QUEEN (1988) where Sumarna (Sundjoto Adibroto), a crocodile handler, steals his teacher’s amulet that can make the handler subdue any ferocious crocodile. For his crime he is cursed. 20 years later, two of her children die from the curse only his daughter Murti (Vera Magdalena) remains He seeks help from the young widow in the village, Larsih (Suzanna), who turns out to be the White Crocodile Queen and is possessed by the spirit of his teacher. Slowly through dance numbers, rubber crocodiles and gore the secret of the White Crocodile Queen is known.

A woman gives birth to a magical white crocodile - as you do - followed immediately by a human baby girl, before she and her husband are messily slaughtered by thieves. Years later, the girl has grown into a woman, as has, oddly enough, her reptilian sister, the latter in the form of a croc-goddess who seems to live in a different dimension, but can materialize in the real world and possess her human sister, and get her to avenge their parents’ deaths by making actual crocodiles attack the perpetrators, and whatever else the bizarre screenplay requires her to be able to do.

Bizarre it might be, but it’s mostly pretty turgid stuff, even amateurish at times, with several sex scenes that are unnecessarily lengthy given how coy they are; you’d never guess that the same director would be responsible for the explosive, high-octane Lady Terminator the following year. But there are just about enough random, nutty moments to save this from being a total disaster: some business with a levitating bed, for example, or an unexpected Bollywood-style musical number, or even the world’s most unconvincing man vs croc fight. [C.F.]

Then we get MALAM SATU SURO (1988) where in Javanese culture, Sengkolo is a negative entity that often haunts humans, brings bad luck and brings disaster. On the first night of Suro, Sengkolo moved to target several weton who were his prey.

In Indonesian folklore a Kuntilanak is a ghost, often presented as a woman seeking revenge for being wronged in her life, some sort of injustice that went unpunished. In her new form as an apparition, she can be defeated with a nail in her head - this causes the spirit to become a normal human female who is submissive and controllable. However, the nail can also be removed (in almost an exercise in pleasure for her), and then she is free to enact her revenge again.

It’s the idea that woman have no real control or power, only though the the supernatural or magic that she is able to wield any power to break free of patriarchal constraints or the everyday injustices women are forced to eat - so, yeah, Kuntilanak is a very appropriate way to phrase what gets served. This flick is a variation on that vengeful spirit type tale.

Suzzanna is here in all sorts of pale undertaker makeup, at least she is after a band of scumbags murder her. While her husband seeks justice in the realm of mortals, she delivers it herself as the vengeful Kuntilanak! Even if it means tossing magic roses to pierce the skin of her enemies, or turning into a giant version of her kids favorite stuffy, or letting her family know she’s still around by performing a romantic song as a piano dirge in the middle of a night. [A.H.]

Then comes KLIWON FRIDAY NIGHT Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon is a bold attempt to revive an Indonesian horror legend that has long held a special place in the hearts of local film enthusiasts. This film brings back the iconic character of Suzzanna with a classic atmosphere blended with modern cinematography elements. If I was pushed, I would give this film a 7/10 rating, because although it successfully builds an eerie horror atmosphere, there are several aspects that feel less than optimal.

The main attraction of this film certainly lies in its strong Javanese mystical aura. The art direction, the old house props, and the nighttime setting with thin fog and the sound of crickets effectively transport the audience back to the horror film atmosphere of the 1980s. The background music is also effective in creating tension without relying too heavily on jump scares.

Luna Maya’s performance as Suzzanna deserves appreciation. She manages to portray this character with fitting gestures and expressions, without appearing to forcibly imitate her predecessor. Some of Suzzanna’s iconic scenes are also brought back, evoking nostalgia for longtime viewers while still being enjoyable for new audiences.

Unfortunately, in terms of story, this film plays it safe with an old formula. The plot is predictable and some conflicts are resolved too quickly. The horror scenes, while quite effective, fail to offer anything truly fresh.

However, overall, Suzzanna: Malam Jumat Kliwon remains worth watching as an effort to preserve Indonesia’s classic horror in the midst of the modern horror wave. This film can be a fittingly eerie entertainment option for fans of local horror or for a new generation curious about the Suzzanna legend.[A.F.]

Along next is GHOST AMBULANCE (2008) where Gina, Rano’s mother, made a pact with the devil to have more wealth for her family, on condition that she has to sacrifice lives. When she fails to meet the condition on one occasion, the devil kills her family, leaving just her son, Rano. Years after, Rano and his friends, Dicky, Ocha, and Popi, decide to study in a university in Bandung.

They agree to live together in a rented house that was actually Rano’s old family home. At the house, an ambulance is parked that is rumored to be haunted. Then they start to experience strange and horrifying incidents, especially since the ambulance keeps claiming victims. Finally, the secret of Rano’s family is revealed by Widya, his grandmother. Rano is sad and disappointed, especially as his friends also became victims. Rano intends to break the curse but then unexpectedly, Fiona, his ex-girlfriend, comes to visit. Rano, who loves Popi, now has to decide which of the two girls, he must sacrifice.

Lastly we get SUZZANNA: THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC (2024) which dutifully explores genre star Suzzanna’s reign as the Queen of Indonesian Horror, tracing her lasting legacy in the country’s film industry.

The film follows the life of Suzanna Martha Frederika van Osch, who spent most of her life in entertainment-from child singer to member of a musical family. After her husband leaves her with their children, she pivots careers just as grindhouse and horror cinema begin to surge in the 1970s. She quickly becomes known across Indonesia as the Horror Queen, and her career skyrockets... but that doesn’t stop those around her from exploiting her and contributing to the hardships that would eventually shape her demise.

Directed by David Gregory (Django: The One and Only), this documentary presents a tragic yet resilient portrait of an icon, a mother, and a national Indonesian treasure. Her upbringing, which helped her make the right connections and establish herself in the industry, is well illustrated. The separation from her husband, the pressures of religion, and the pope’s involvement are all explored with surprising depth. Suzanna’s fame and fortune opened doors that helped her navigate those religious barriers-lessons that others can still learn from today.

Her film roles, charisma, mannerisms, and screen presence remain captivating. I appreciated how she separated work, family, and her personal life-yet it’s also heartbreaking how the non-career aspects of her life weighed her down and may have prevented her from creating even more cinematic magic.

I loved the focus on Indonesian monster folklore, how deeply it’s woven into the country’s culture, and how Suzanna brought those legends to life on screen. I added at least ten films to my watch list after watching this documentary. Amusingly, I realized that some characters I’d previously watched were played by her husband without me knowing. The final years of her life were astonishing, especially the shooting incident. Much of it feels almost unbelievable-someone of her stature enduring such chaos-yet the documentary underscores how money and success don’t shield anyone from personal turmoil.

In conclusion, Suzanna: The Queen of Black Magic is a triumphant and tragic portrait of a true horror legend. [K.R.]

Bonus Features:
Disc 1: Pact with the Forces of Darkness / White Crocodile Queen
Pact with the Forces of Darkness Disc Specs:
Runtime: 85 mins
Audio: Indonesian Mono
Subtitles: English
Region A
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
White Crocodile Queen Disc Specs:
Runtime: 98 mins
Audio: Indonesian Mono
Subtitles: English
Region A
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Disc 2: Malam Satu Suro / Kliwon Friday Night
Malam Satu Suro / Kliwon Friday Night Special Feature:
Hantu Retribution: Female Ghosts Of The Malay Archipelago – Interview With Filmmaker Katrina Irawati Graham And Dr. Rosalind Galt, Author Of Alluring Monsters: The Pontianak And Cinemas Of Decolonization
Malam Satu Suro Disc Specs:
Runtime: 84 mins
Audio: Indonesian Mono
Subtitles: English
Region A
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Kliwon Friday Night Disc Specs:
Runtime: 89 mins
Audio: Indonesian Mono
Subtitles: English
Region A
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Disc 3: Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic / Ghost Ambulance Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic Special Features:
A Conversation With Director/Co-Producer David Gregory And Co-Producer Ekky Imanjaya
David Gregory Introduction At Jakarta Film Week Screening, October 2024
Trailer
Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic Disc Specs:
Runtime: 88 mins
Audio: Indonesian Stereo
Subtitles: English
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Ghost Ambulance Special Features:
The Making Of GHOST AMBULANCE
ShowBiz On Location Interviews With Cast And Crew
GHOST AMBULANCE Silet Interview With Actors Suzzanna And Clift Sangra
Promo Clips
Trailer
Ghost Ambulance Disc Specs:
Runtime: 88 mins
Audio: Indonesian Mono
Subtitles: English
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1