REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN INDONESIAN HORROR FILMS: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF GENDER TOWARDS STEREOTYPES AND OBJECTIFICATION

REPRESENTASI PEREMPUAN DALAM FILM HOROR INDONESIA: ANALISIS SOSIOLOGI GENDER TERHADAP STEREOTIPE DAN OBJEKTIFIKASI

Authors

  • Ubaidah Adielah Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
  • Imam Tajus Subki Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
  • Elias Saiba Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
  • Oman Sukmana Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
  • Tri Sulistyaningsih Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i4.6543

Keywords:

Representasi, Horor, Perempuan, Sosiologi Gender, Stereotipe, Objektifikasi

Abstract

The main objective of the research is to present an in-depth analysis of the portrayal of women in Indonesian horror films, with an emphasis on efforts to dismantle stereotypes and objectifications that are commonly found, as well as identify their sociological implications for the construction of gender and power relations. This study adopts the narrative literature review method, a systematic qualitative approach to identify, evaluate, and synthesize findings from previous studies related to the representation of women in Indonesian horror films. The method allows for the compilation of a comprehensive picture of existing scientific discourse, identifying key patterns, and highlighting underexplored areas in the literature. The findings of the study show that the representation of women in Indonesian horror films consistently reflects and reinforces gender stereotypes and objectifications that are deeply rooted in patriarchal societies. This indirectly reflects the socio-cultural values that place women in subordinate positions, as reflected in the patriarchal structure of Indonesian society. While creepy figures, women are often portrayed as having destructive supernatural powers, but they usually appear as a response to injustice or a manifestation of the suffering they experience, rather than as a form of autonomous and positive agency.

References

Adiprasetio, J. (2023). Deconstructing fear in Indonesian cinema: Diachronic analysis of antagonist representations in half a century of Indonesian horror films 1970-2020. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2268396

Afifah, A., & Febriana, P. (2024). Analisis Semiotika Stereotip Gender dalam Film ‘Hanum dan Rangga.’ Indonesian Culture and Religion Issues., 1(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.47134/diksima.v1i1.21

Anggraeni, R., Hasmawati, F., & Duku, S. (2024). Pesan Moral Film IVANNA Dalam Analisis Semiotika. J-KIs Jurnal Komunikasi Islam, 5(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.53429/j-kis.v5i1.675

Anggraini, I. D., & Sarah, N. N. (2025). Melanggengkan Patriarki: Pembingkaian Media terhadap Kasus Perundungan Perempuan dalam Wacana Berita Digital. Pujangga, 11(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.47313/pujangga.v11i1.4106

Angjaya, S. (2021). The Power of Bu Tejo and Dian? The Analysis of Feminist Power Relation in The Film Tilik. Capture Jurnal Seni Media Rekam, 12(2), 132. https://doi.org/10.33153/capture.v12i2.3613

Ardelia, T. N. (2022). Representasi Kesetaraan Gender Pada Iklan Alfamart X GoPay #Kebahagiaankecil Untuk Kita Semua. CITRAWIRA Journal of Advertising and Visual Communication, 3(2), 139. https://doi.org/10.33153/citrawira.v3i2.4636

Balraj, B. M., Kanthan, N. C., & Shah, N. Z. (2021). Understanding Objectification Theory in Horror Movies. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(12). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i12/10755

Bertling, J. (2016). Modern Horror Film and the Evolution of the “Final Girl.” http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/214/

Budiman, R., Puspahaty, N., & Sari, D. P. (2023). Gangster, Ghost, and Tradition: Representation of Market in Three Indonesia Films. Makna Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi Bahasa Dan Budaya, 13(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.33558/makna.v13i2.7148

Cahyani, A. D., & Aprilia, M. P. (2022). Kekerasan terhadap Perempuan dalam Film Indonesia (Analisis Isi Kuantitatif dalam Film Indonesia dengan Latar 1998-2021). Jurnal Mahasiswa Komunikasi Cantrik, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.20885/cantrik.vol2.iss1.art1

Chusna, A., & Mahmudah, S. (2018). Female Monsters: Figuring Female Transgression in Jennifer’s Body (2009) and The Witch (2013). Jurnal Humaniora, 30(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.v30i1.31499

Damsar, D. (2012). Pengantar Sosiologi Pendidikan. Jakarta: Kencana.

Dhusiya, M. (2014). Let The Ghost Speak: A Study Of Contemporary Indian Horror Cinema. 5(1). https://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/article/download/77/121

Dirgantaradewa, S. A., & Pithaloka, D. (2021). Representasi Perempuan fi Film Persepolis Dalam Perspektif Islam. MEDIUM, 8(2), 12. https://doi.org/10.25299/medium.2020.vol8(2).5260

Dreyer, C. (2018). Crafting Fear: The Horror Film Trailer. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3943&context=honors_theses

Eed, M. K. S. apos. (2019). The Representation of Women in the Horror Movies: A Study in Selected Horror Movies. Communication and Linguistics Studies, 5(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cls.20190501.13

Fadilah, J., Widarti, W., & Andriana, D. (2021). Representasi Maskulinitas Tokoh Lelaki Dalam Film Susah Sinyal. Jurnal Komunikasi, 12(2), 137. https://doi.org/10.31294/jkom.v12i2.11441

Giswandhani, M. (2022). Yuni: Stereotype Representation Of Women. Journal of Business Social and Technology, 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.46799/jbt.v3i1.63

Gransden, E. M. (2024). Empowerment and Objectification: Dual Perspectives on Female Superheroes in Contemporary Cinema. Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities, 3(12), 16. https://doi.org/10.56397/jrssh.2024.12.03

Gregorio, E. D., Mongai, C., & Tiberio, L. (2022). Media representations of crimes in close relationships: Qualitative analysis of narratives in a television broadcast. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1002262

Hamdy, M. K., & Hudri, M. (2022). Gender Based Violence: The Relationship of Law and Patriarchy in Indonesia. EMPATI Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial, 11(2), 73. https://doi.org/10.15408/empati.v11i2.29751

Haryanto, S. (2016). Sosiologi Agama dari Klasik hingga Postmodern. Yogyakarta: Ar-Ruzz Media.

Haryanto, S., Sandra, M., & Rina. (2012). SPEKTRUM TEORI SOSIAL: Dari Klasik Hingga Postmodern. Yogyakarta: Ar-Ruzz Media.

Hernández‐Santaolalla, V., & Bravo, I. R. (2021). Male Monsters Still Stalk, Yet More Violent: A Comparative Analysis of Original Slasher Films and Their Remakes. Sexuality & Culture, 26(3), 1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09937-3

Hua, J., & Zhao, T. (2024). Gender Inequality: Issues, Challenges and New Perspectives. Gender Place & Culture, 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369x.2024.2433449

Ihwanny, R., & Qeis, M. I. (2022). Representasi Femininitas dan Maskulinitas dalam Film “27 Steps of May.” DEIKSIS, 14(2), 115. https://doi.org/10.30998/deiksis.v14i2.12900

Izharuddin, A. (2015). Pain and pleasures of the look: The female gaze in Malaysian horror film. Asian Cinema, 26(2), 135. https://doi.org/10.1386/ac.26.2.135_1

Joy, S. (2013). The Patriarchal Construction of Hysteria: Examining the Possessed Woman in the Paranormal Activity Franchise. 3(1), 1.

Kania, D., & Hamdani, A. U. (2023). Representasi Wanita Dibalik Kosakata Berita (Analisis Wacana Kritis Sara Mills Kekerasan Seksual pada Media Indonesia). Deleted Journal, 10(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.30595/mtf.v10i1.17674

Khairah, H., & Tambunan, S. M. G. (2019). Teknologi Digital Sebagai Media Objektifikasi Perempuan: Kajian Kritis Media Sosial. Jurnal Muara Ilmu Sosial Humaniora Dan Seni, 3(2), 503. https://doi.org/10.24912/jmishumsen.v3i2.3507.2019

Khan, M. N., & Akhtar, R. (2024). Disembodied Icons: Analysing Headless Female Representations in Hollywood Thriller Posters. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8). https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i8.6508

Kusumaningrum, S., Tieken, S., Adhi, A. A., Nisa, S. A., Sari, W. L., & Beta, A. R. (2024). Bringing rigor in contextual objectivity: lessons from applying feminist lens in scoping the evidence on girlhood studies in Indonesia. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2024.1339651

Larasati, V. V., & Wahid, A. (2020). Representation and Commodification of Female Body in the Indonesian Post Reform Horror Movies. Asian Journal of Media and Communication, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.20885/asjmc.vol4.iss1.art4

Li, W. (2023). Gender Stereotyping in Media - Bias and Discrimination. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 29(1), 237. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/29/20231518

Luniar, S. S., & Febriana, P. (2022). The Kuntilanak Image in Mangkujiwo Movie: Roland Barthes Semiotics Analysis. Indonesian Journal of Cultural and Community Development, 11. https://doi.org/10.21070/ijccd2022774

Martono, N., Tri Utami, S. P., Plummer, K., & Samuel, H. (2012). KEKERASAN SIMBOLIK DI SEKOLAH (Sebuah Ide Sosiologi Pendidikan Pierre Bourdieu) Dominasi Kelas dan Kapitalisasi Gaya Baru Melalui Buku Pelajaran. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers.

McDavid, J. (2020). Impetigore. Journal of Religion & Film, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.32873/uno.dc.jrf.24.01.24

McGillvray, M. (2019). ‘It’s So Easy to Create a Victim’: Subverting Gender Stereotypes in the New French Extremity. In Emerald Publishing Limited eBooks (p. 7). https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78769-897-020191002

Myrlinda, F. R. (2020). SITI: Javanese’s Beliefs as the Representation of Gender Roles and Inequalities towards Women’s Position. JENTERA Jurnal Kajian Sastra, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.26499/jentera.v9i2.1358

Parastuti, P., Suparji, S., Rijanto, T., Suyami, S., Hidayat, R. A., Refisrul, R., Ajisman, A., & Basori, B. (2024). Monstrous Reflections: The Babadook as a Metaphor for Psychological Turmoil. World Journal of English Language, 15(3), 194. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v15n3p194

Prasetyo, M. E., Arpan, D., & Casande, S. (2024). Visual Semiotics of Javanese Cultural Signs in Indonesia’s Popular Horror Film Titled “KKN Di Desa Penari.” The Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture Official Conference Proceedings, 609. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2436-0503.2024.52

Rachman, S., & Febriana, P. (2024). Kerangka Feminisme: Menganalisis Representasi Pembebasan Perempuan dalam Film. Indonesian Culture and Religion Issues., 1(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.47134/diksima.v1i1.29

Rahmi, L. (2025). Gender, Islam, and Sexuality in Contemporary Indonesia. Politics Religion & Ideology, 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2025.2449822

Romacho, M. O. (2023). Body Horror. Políticas del cine de terror más allá del cuerpo y el relato normados. Brumal Revista de Investigación Sobre Lo Fantástico, 11(2), 57. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/brumal.895

Salsabila, V., Awaludin, L., & Assiddiqi, H. (2022). Refutation of Laura Mulvey’s “Male Gaze” Theory in Film Little Women (2019). Saksama, 1(2), 100. https://doi.org/10.15575/sksm.v1i2.23899

Santoniccolo, F., Trombetta, T., Paradiso, M. N., & Rollè, L. (2023). Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization [Review of Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), 5770. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105770

Sugiarti, S., & Lestari, F. A. (2023). Representation of Femininity in Indonesian Folklore. KEMBARA Journal of Scientific Language Literature and Teaching, 9(2), 387. https://doi.org/10.22219/kembara.v9i2.25220

Sukmana, O. (2016). Konsep dan Teori Gerakan Sosial. Malang: Insist Press.

Susanti, R. H., Sardila, V., Aramudin, A., & Syarif, M. I. (2023). Modesty & Rape Culture: Indonesian Media’s Gender-Sensitive Exploration. Sexuality and Gender Studies Journal, 1(2), 24. https://doi.org/10.33422/sgsj.v1i2.492

Tiwahyupriadi, D., & Ayuningtyas, Y. (2020). Indonesian Horror Film: Deconstruction of Repetitive Elements of Indonesian Urban Legend for Cultural Revitalization, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v4i12.7589

Wardhani, S. (2025). Simbolisme Agama sebagai Protagonis dalam Film Horor. Profilm Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Perfilman Dan Pertelevisian, 3(1), 146. https://doi.org/10.56849/jpf.v3i1.53

Wijaya, F. R., Puspita, V., Kenny, K., & Sedharta, B. O. (2025). Haunting Narratives: Female Entities and Gender Inequality in Indonesian Horror Films. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04815-x

Wilhelm, C. (2020). Gendered (in)visibility in Digital Media Contexts. Studies in Communication Sciences. https://doi.org/10.24434/j.scoms.2021.01.007

Downloads

Published

2025-11-24

How to Cite

Adielah, U., Subki, I. T., Saiba, E., Sukmana, O., & Sulistyaningsih, T. (2025). REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN INDONESIAN HORROR FILMS: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF GENDER TOWARDS STEREOTYPES AND OBJECTIFICATION: REPRESENTASI PEREMPUAN DALAM FILM HOROR INDONESIA: ANALISIS SOSIOLOGI GENDER TERHADAP STEREOTIPE DAN OBJEKTIFIKASI. SOSIOEDUKASI : JURNAL ILMIAH ILMU PENDIDIKAN DAN SOSIAL, 14(4), 2814–2824. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i4.6543