Is Harusnya Horror Worth Watching? Our Shy-Ghost Comedy Review

This Harusnya Horror review looks at an Indonesian horror comedy that flips the usual ghost story on its head. The scared one here is the ghost, not the living. Reza Oktovian directs and also stars in this 2026 release.

Critics have barely weighed in so far, and audience scores are low, so this one needs a careful look.

Harusnya Horror Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Harusnya Horror plot starts with a sudden death. A shy young man, obsessed with anime, dies right before the last episode of his favorite series. The afterlife offers him a deal: haunt 100,000 humans, and he can finish the show.

There is one big problem. He is more terrified of people than they are of him. Scaring a crowd is not exactly his natural talent.

His path crosses with a crew of broke content creators who fake horror videos for a living. They see a real ghost as the ultimate gimmick and make him their "star talent." Over time, the film hints, he must weigh his own goal against the only family he has ever known.

What Works in Harusnya Horror

The premise is the film's best asset. A ghost with social anxiety is a funny, slightly sweet idea, and it gives the story a clear goal and a ticking counter. The 100,000 target makes the stakes easy to grasp.

It also fits neatly into the horror comedy tradition, mixing horror movie reviews staples with comedy and a touch of fantasy. The afterlife-contract angle gives the fantasy side a simple hook.

An Indonesian review from Popmama scored it 3.5 out of 5 and praised how it turns the usual image of ghosts upside down. That fits the film's central joke.

• A fresh, character-driven spin on the haunting formula

• A clear goal that keeps the plot moving

• A found-family theme with some warmth

Harusnya Horror Cast and Performances

The Harusnya Horror cast is led by Reza Oktovian as Mas, the timid ghost. Lula Lahfah plays Gea, and Tierison, Garry Ang and Yuka Theo play Kevin, Kenzo and Cipuy. Mister Aloy appears as King Aloy.

The ensemble format suits the premise, since the fake-horror crew needs distinct personalities to bounce off a nervous ghost. Oktovian's double duty as director and lead puts the film's comic tone squarely on his shoulders.

There is little professional commentary on individual performances yet, so audience reaction will be the real test of how well the jokes land.

Where Harusnya Horror Stumbles

The audience response is the main warning sign. Letterboxd shows a weighted average of 2.59 out of 5 from 923 ratings, and Ratingraph lists 3.1 out of 10 from 374 votes. Those are weak numbers, even if they come from a small, early pool.

I found no Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic score, so there is no critic consensus to balance them. A premise this simple can run thin over 106 minutes, and comedy that depends on a single joke often does.

The film also leans on anime fandom and Indonesian online-creator humor. Viewers outside that world may find some of it less accessible. If you want real scares, the horror side looks like the lighter half of the mix.

Is Harusnya Horror Worth Watching?

It is worth a look if you love silly, light horror comedies, but temper your expectations. The idea is charming and the heart seems to be in the right place. Public ratings suggest the execution does not satisfy everyone.

The Harusnya Horror release date in Indonesia is August 20, 2026. I could not confirm a US release or distributor, so check local listings. Anyone curious about streaming options will need to look up current availability themselves.

If you prefer your laughs with a bit of spookiness, the comedy movie reviews section has other options. For a similar tone from the same country, see our take on Is Tiba Tiba Setan Worth Watching? style horror picks, such as Cerita Lila.

The film is also listed on Indonesian Wikipedia, if you want more background.

Who Will Enjoy Harusnya Horror

• Fans of Indonesian horror comedy who want laughs more than screams

• Anime lovers who will enjoy the otaku ghost hero

• Viewers who like found-family stories wrapped in a supernatural gimmick