In every country, there are myths, true stories, and community tales that, mixed with elements of mystery, occur within society. This is called urban legend, and it also often serves as an inspiration for the horror film industry
Films inspired by urban legend are scarier compared to other films because the atmosphere they create feels more realistic, as if we are part of that society.
This article will present several horror films inspired by urban legends from Asia, Africa and South America. Basically, these country preserve mysterious stories and urban legends that have passed down through generations, yet remain terrifying to this day.
Here are 6 scariest horror films based on urban legends that you shouldn’t miss, starting with urban legends from Asia, then Latin America, and Africa.
Asian
Thailand is a country well known for its majestic temples and unique cuisine. However, in his article, i won’t discuss tourism or food; instead, I will discuss urban legends that have been adapted to films
Today, the horror film industry is growing rapidly because many horror films are adapted from ancient folklore and combine it with elements of comedy, the supernatural, and deep fear, making them engaging to watch.
Nang nak
This film is adapted from an urban legend that is famous in Thai society, the legend of Mae Nak Phra Knanong. The synopsis tells the story of true love between two different worlds, Nak and Mak.
This couple comes from the Bang Phra Knanong region. Nak and Mak are like lovers who can’t be separated by death.
This story begins when Nak, who lived in the Phra Khanong canal, had a husband named Mak. At that time, Thailand had mandatory military service, and Mak was sent to the battlefield, leaving Nak, who was pregnant.
When Mak went to the battlefield, Nak died while trying to give birth to her child. On the other hand, Mak also had to be hospitalized because he was severely injured.
Mak finally returned home, Nak and their baby were already waiting for him in front of their house. Mak didn’t realize his wife and baby had died. They had already become ghosts before Mak returned home.
Nak’s death became famous among the people of Phra Khanong, and the community tried to banish him, but every attempt failed
Japan
Japan has many mysterious stories, supernatural stories deeply rooted in its society. There is one urban legend, the most famous one, caused by a supernatural curse
This film has a terrifying storyline based on an urban legend and supernatural curse that feels extremely realistic and has left an impact on Japanese culture. Ju-On, directed by Takashi Shimizu.
Ju-On: The Cursed
This film is adapted from an urban legend. Kayako Saeki, a wife who was murdered by her husband, causing her spirit to wander restlessly. Created a curse of rage and seeking revenge against her husband.
The house where the murder took place today became the center of a curse, and no one dares to enter it. Anyone who tries to step inside will be haunted by Kayako. Besides that, this curse spreads like a virus that attacks its victim toward death.
This film has a terrifying visual depiction of the ghost. She has long black hair, covering her face, while the background enhances it, making it scarier.
In addition, the film contains elements of Japanese culture. The character of Kayako is a part of a traditional symbol as a female ghost in Japanese folklore.
Indonesia
Rooted in folk tales that have been embedded in society and passed down to generations, they have become the main source of inspiration for the Indonesian horror film industry. Not only that, horror films in Indonesia contain elements of social values, collective fears, and issues of gender inequality.
Here is one of the urban legends adapted to cinema and connecting to cultural heritage while carrying horror in every storyline, Sundel Bolong.
Sundel Bolong
This film was made in 1980 and directed by Sisworo Guatama Putra. The story begins with a vengeful female ghost intertwined with Indonesian local culture.
Sundel Bolong tells a woman named Alisa, who had gotten married and was a sex worker. Alisa was forced by her boss to return to her job when her husband was working abroad, but she refused.
When she refused, a horrifying incident happened. Alisa was raped by several men and abandoned in despair. When she tried to give birth to her baby, Alisa died and later returned as Sundel Bolong, filled with vengeance
This death was truly unnatural, as the childbirth was so tragic that the baby came out through her back, leaving a large hole in her back. In addition to being considered an unnatural death. It is also said to have been caused by a shaman’s involvement.
The signature of Sundel Bolong’s ghost is a large, rotten hole in her back, filled with maggots and decay. Alisa will seek and hunt her rapist until they die. Eventually, the rapist was found dead at the hands of Sundel Bolong
Thus, in this legend that is connected to the story of a woman who suffered social inequality, her spirit returned to seek revenge.
South America
As we know, South America is filled with local mystery stories. Many stories are rooted in its history. Mythology, rich in supernatural elements, is an important source of inspiration for horror films and urban legends.
In addition, urban legends that have developed within society have become part of the historical heritage and a source of fear for the community. One of the most famous in South America is La Llorona.
The curse of La Llorona
The meaning of La Llorona is the crying woman. This ghost originated from the story of a mother who committed a tragic murder of her family as a result of her husband’s betrayal. She killed her husband and her two children
Because the woman’s life was haunted by guilt. She did suicide and began haunting and looking for innocent children as replacements.
On the other hand, there is a family named Anna Garcia who becomes haunted by La Llorona after accidentally releasing a supernatural entity while investigating Patricia Alvarez’s case. Anna must protect her children from La Llorona with the help of a local shaman.
This film has elements of a chilling supernatural horror and the ghost of La Llorona creating constant tension, also maintains South American culture through mythology and rituals woven into the storyline.
Africa
Urban legend di Afrika seringkali memiliki unsur-unsur mitologi, budaya nilai setempat, dan. kepercayaan supernatural yang masih dipegang kuat di kalangan masyarakat.
Urban legends in Africa often contain elements of mythology, local cultural values, and supernatural beliefs that are still deeply held within society.
Several horror films in Africa tell stories of spirits rooted in folklore, yet remain linked to a creepy atmosphere like The Tokoloshe film from South Africa.
The Tokoloshe
This film tells the story of a woman’s struggle against a creature from Zulu mythology in the South African area. It is depicted as a terrifying, tiny being, invisible to the eye, that terrorizes its victims while they sleep and strangles them.
It started with the story of a woman named Busi, a night shift cleaner at an ancient hospital. The hospital is filled with abandoned children. She has a purpose; one day, she can bring her younger sister to live together in the city.
Busi found a younger child named Gracie in the hospital who feels she is being tormented by a creature called the Tokoloshe, originating from Zulu mythology.
Busi attempted to banish Tokoloshe from Gracie, but the creature instead follows them, forcing Busi to confront her own fears, especially her fear of falling asleep.
This film has good visuals through the character of Tokoloshe, which also addresses real social issues such as violence against women.
If you love watching horror films based on urban legends, it might be perfect for you. This article talked about how urban legend horror films are a must-watch to experience fear that feels real, raw, and deeply connected to cultural heritage. So, which one of these terrifying tales will you dare to watch, and let me know in the comments section?
