Warga Rusun 609: A Thai Horror Adaptation, Morgan Oey and Ranty Maria Unite on the Big Screen

Indonesia's horror film industry has a new challenger. Rapi Films has announced the release of Warga Rusun 609, an adaptation of the Thai film Buppah Rahtree (2003), which will begin screening in cinemas on 1 October 2026. Director Herwin Novianto has been entrusted with reworking the story of a vengeful spirit with a local touch, while Morgan Oey and Ranty Maria have been cast as the leads.

The decision to adapt an old Thai title is not without reason. Buppah Rahtree is known as one of the most iconic horror films in Southeast Asia, with a story that blends terror and tragedy. In the hands of Herwin, who previously worked on Warkop DKI Reborn and Yowis Ben, the film is expected to reach young audiences hungry for quality horror. Rapi Films itself has a long track record in horror production, such as Pengabdi Setan and Sebelum Iblis Menjemput.

At a press conference at XXI Epicentrum, South Jakarta, on Thursday (24/9/2026), Ranty Maria said she did not feel burdened by the role. She instead called the project a pleasant first experience. "God was so good because my first project was with people who made me feel no pressure," she said. Ranty also said she had long idolized Morgan Oey, so their chemistry developed naturally. "Kak Morgan is very humble and helped a lot," she added.

Meanwhile, Morgan Oey gave a hint about the character Arka that he plays. According to him, Arka is depicted as someone who deeply loves Bunga, his girlfriend. "After watching, you will surely love Bunga too," Morgan said. The film tells the story of Bunga, a woman who dies in room 609 of a low-cost apartment block after waiting for news from Arka, who is studying abroad. Pregnant with Arka's child, Bunga then terrorizes the residents who try to evict her.

Besides Morgan and Ranty, the film also involves a number of well-known names such as Keanu Agl, Pampam, Yono Bakrie, Aming, Sarah Sechan, Indy Barends, Tanta Ginting, Galabby, Dimas Danang, Dustin Tiffany, Dian Sidik, Gita Bhebhita, Ashel, and Riyuka Bunga. This combination of senior and young actors is expected to draw various audience segments.

"As it happens for me, God was so good, because my first project was really with people who made me feel no pressure and the shoot just felt like it suddenly finished," said Ranty Maria.

For Indonesian readers, especially investors and professionals in the creative industry, the release of Warga Rusun 609 is an indicator of the appeal of the national horror film market. Throughout 2025, several Indonesian horror films recorded significant revenue, such as KKN di Desa Penari and Pengabdi Setan 2. Adaptations of foreign titles are indeed nothing new, but the success of Buppah Rahtree in Thailand can serve as a benchmark for its potential reception in the domestic market. If it succeeds, it is not impossible that Rapi Films will look at other Southeast Asian titles to remake.

On the other hand, the film's arrival also opens opportunities for performers and production crew. A vibrant film industry means broader employment, from actors and screenwriters to visual effects teams. The government, through the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), continues to encourage the growth of this sector, including tax incentives for film production. Thus, Warga Rusun 609 is not merely entertainment, but also part of a larger creative economy chain.

The question is, can this film repeat the success of the original and become a phenomenon in Indonesia? Or will it instead drown amid the flood of local horror films? What is clear is that competition at the box office will only get tighter, and Indonesian audiences hold full power to determine its fate. We wait for 1 October 2026.