Symbolism in Malaysian Horror Films: A Netflix Case Study

Abstract

Malaysian horror films on Netflix have become an increasingly popular medium through which local fears, beliefs, and politics are visualized, yet the symbolism embedded in these films is underexplored. This study investigated how symbolism operated in Malaysian horror films streaming on the global platform, Netflix, with a focus on the types of symbolism used and audience interpretations of gender, religion, and culture. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with 10 Netflix subscribers aged between 20 and 50 who had experience watching Malaysian horror films on the platform. The findings revealed that most of the symbolisms are represented through female ghosts, such as the pontianak, religious figures like the ustaz, objects, and colour palettes to represent themes of morality and spirituality. This research is conducted in the hope that a deeper understanding of symbolism in Malaysian horror films would encourage more critical appreciation of the genre, positioning it as intellectually significant rather than merely entertaining.