Whether it’s a gripping tale of family curses or familiar ghastly folklore rehashed, horror films have kept and will always keep Indonesian filmgoers on the edge of their seats. But throughout the years, as the American horror landscape churns out different kinds of scares—from serial killer slashers to a phosphorescent green activator—Indonesia’s horrors remain synonymously linked to religion and spirituality. Dominated by antagonists like kuntilanak and sundel bolong, these urban-legends-turned-silver-screen-terrors are rooted in real-life horror stories of violence against women. It begs the question: what does Indonesian horror reveal about our society’s treatment of women?

Sara (2023) not only takes us back to the quiet village of the titular character, but also takes us back to the significance of motherhood and the quiet strength of those forced to live on the margins. The film explores how love endures even in absence, and how the journey of belonging is one that many nomads – estranged by identity, family, or society – carry quietly within them.

While some people are still clutching their pearls over “too much sex in cinema,“ Hollywood’s been busy restocking our screens with lace, longing stares, and tension so thick you need a knife to cut it. The result? A24’s film ”Babygirl,” boasting Harris Dickinson dancing shirtless to “Father Figure,” Nicole Kidman’s incredible range, and an exploration of power dynamics, social performance, and female sexual liberation.

Celebrating Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Black creators, artists, and stories that shape the pop culture zeitgeist—curated by #CRASHCurates. From seminal film studies classics to animated shorts and modern horror, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the rich fabrics that make up Black cinema through explorations of identity, relationships, and resistance.

#CRASHCurates our most anticipated cinematic releases of 2025! From boundary-pushing indies to bold mainstream releases, this year’s cinematic landscape is all about authentic storytelling, stacked with themes on daring social thrillers and nuanced takes on love, grief, and identity. (Let’s not focus on tokenism disguised as progress—looking at a certain Oscar’s nominee.)

Celebrating Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Black creators, artists, and stories that shape the pop culture zeitgeist—curated by #CRASHCurates. Representation can often be seen as an on-screen thing, but it actually begins behind the scenes. Whether it’s a comfort childhood show or a drama-filled romp, we’re highlighting voices and stories from Black women creators: actresses, directors, writers, and producers.