Horror Movie 'OMA: THE DEMONIC' Linked to Hollywood Film 'UMMA', Here's the Director's Response

Kapanlagi.com - Joel Fadly's film OMA: THE DEMONIC is set to release on Thursday this week (21/4/2022). However, before its release in cinemas throughout Indonesia, netizens have linked it to the Hollywood horror production titled UMMA, which was released earlier.

The connection is related to the title and theme of the story, where both films deal with a mysterious grandmother. However, Joel quickly denied this as an unintentional coincidence.

"In the end, it is really about luck for who gets to release first. Because we were hindered by the pandemic, the originality of our story was questioned. However, honestly, this is the result of brainstorming with the producer and creative team that we chose this story. I also don't know if the journey is similar and it's from the outside too. Once again, I emphasize that we have an original story," said Joel Fadly in a press conference at Blok M Square, Melawai area, South Jakarta, on Monday (18/4/2022).

1. Proof of Non-Imitation

Joel Fadly's denial was reaffirmed by the producer of OMA: THE DEMONIC named Retno Sekar Daty. The horror film starring Jajang C Noer and Karina Nadila was shot earlier than UMMA and had already received a censorship certificate in 2020.

"We didn't expect this similarity and if we were asked who was first, we were the first because we got the censorship certificate in 2020. Then UMMA was only shot in October 2020. We didn't imitate anything," Retno emphasized in the same occasion.

"We were the ones who produced this film in 2018. UMMA was only produced in 2020," added Joel.

2. Insecure Acting Alongside a Senior

In the movie OMA: THE DEMONIC, Karina Nadila acted alongside senior actress Jajang C Noer. The 2017 Indonesian Tourism Princess admitted feeling insecure and afraid that she couldn't match her co-star's performance.

"Here, because I knew I was going to face Bu Jajang directly, I was insecure. If my acting was bad, Bu Jajang would suffer. Because Bu Jajang has helped us a lot to reach our highest potential, but as a young person, there are moments when we feel inferior to senior artists. Naturally, we want to deliver our best. So that I won't fall too far behind Bu Jajang's quality," Karina said.

3. Mysterious Call

OMA: THE DEMONIC tells the story of a college student named Fiona (played by Karina Nadila) who one day receives mysterious calls that lead her to Oma (played by Jajang C Noer) who lives in the village. She then takes a journey with two of her friends to visit Oma.

Upon arriving at Oma's house, Fiona and her two friends experience mystical events. Not only that, but Oma's strange behavior makes them even more scared. What really happened? Find out only in theaters.

(kpl/abs/tmd)