Dukun Magang Review: A Thesis, a Shaman and Shaky Laughs

This Dukun Magang review starts with a simple question: can a horror-comedy about a stalled thesis keep you laughing for 100 minutes? Chiska Doppert's film leans heavily on comedy, with spooky touches kept in the background. It is a light, local crowd-pleaser, though not an especially sharp one.

Dukun Magang Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Dukun Magang plot begins with Raka, a final-year student whose lecturers keep rejecting his thesis. His friend Sekar suggests he write about the world of shamanism, and the idea sets his unusual path in motion.

That path leads to Kalimati, a remote village known for its supernatural traditions. There he meets Mbah Djambrong, a legendary and eccentric shaman, and takes on a kind of internship. Sekar, who comes from a family with its own traditions, goes along.

One trailer description pitches the film as roughly 80% comedy and 20% horror. That split is a fair guide to what you will see on screen.

What Works in Dukun Magang

The premise is the film's best asset. A student desperate to finish his degree, thrown into a village full of mystical customs, gives the story an easy comic engine that anyone who has struggled with coursework can understand.

• A relatable hook: thesis stress is a universal joke, and the film uses it as its starting point.

• A light tone: the horror stays gentle, so it suits viewers who dislike heavy scares.

• Village atmosphere: Kalimati offers a ready-made playground for folklore and superstition.

One Letterboxd viewer noted that the director seems to want to revive the comedy era of the 2010s, with Jefan Nathanio as the current muse. That nostalgic, broad style will appeal to fans of old-school Indonesian comedy. If you like this kind of humour, browse more comedy movie reviews on our site.

Dukun Magang Cast and Performances

The Dukun Magang cast is led by Jefan Nathanio as Raka, who carries the film as the harried student. His role calls for a mix of panic and bewilderment, which fits the film's comic rhythm.

Hana Saraswati plays Sekar, the smart friend who inherits her family's traditions. She gives the story a steadier counterweight to Raka's chaos.

Adi Sudirja plays Mbah Djambrong, the eccentric shaman at the centre of the premise. Fajar Nugra appears as Boiman, while Wira Nagara and Mamang Osa play Shaman Tejo and Shaman Karno. The supporting players broaden the film's picture of village mysticism.

Where Dukun Magang Stumbles

Critical reception is thin so far. The only audience score I found is a 3/10 on TMDB from a single vote, which tells us almost nothing. One Letterboxd reviewer called the plot nonsensical and forced to be funny, though that is a single opinion.

Still, that complaint points to a real risk. When a film chases laughs this hard, jokes can feel pushed and the story can lose its shape. Viewers who want genuine dread will find little here, as the horror is clearly secondary.

If you prefer scarier fare, our horror movie reviews cover stronger options. For a similar local blend of laughs and light chills, see our take on Siti Si Vampir.

Is Dukun Magang Worth Watching?

It is worth watching if you want a casual, comedy-first night out and you are not expecting a tight script. Think of it as a holiday-season crowd-pleaser rather than a standout.

The film opened in Indonesia on 18 June 2026 and runs 100 minutes. It is rated 13+ by the Indonesian film censorship board, according to Lembaga Sensor Film. Its Dukun Magang release date places it squarely in the school-holiday period.

Going in with modest expectations will help. If you want to check how it compares with other recent local releases, read our review of Ketok Mejik.

Who Will Enjoy Dukun Magang

• Fans of Indonesian comedy who enjoy broad, slapstick-leaning humour.

• Viewers who like folklore and village mysticism without heavy scares.

• Groups looking for a light, social cinema outing with friends.