Eko Sulistyo
Jakarta, September 21, 2026 – Renowned Indonesian actress Titi Kamal has provided a rare glimpse into her psychological preparation for her latest cinematic venture, the horror film The Doll Ghawiah. During a press engagement in Jakarta on Monday, the actress disclosed that her involvement in the project was underscored by a lifelong personal fascination with the occult, which significantly influenced her portrayal of the character Evi. While the production team meticulously crafted an unsettling atmosphere to heighten the film’s narrative tension, Kamal’s own sensitivity to the supernatural added an authentic layer of apprehension to her performance.
A Lifelong Fascination with the Supernatural
Titi Kamal’s affinity for the macabre is not a recent development stemming from her acting career but rather a deeply ingrained interest dating back to her teenage years. In a candid admission during the press conference, the actress reflected on her high school period, a time when she actively sought out paranormal experiences.
"I have always believed in the supernatural. I am someone who is very sensitive to those energies. Back when I was in high school, I actually enjoyed visiting cemeteries with my friends, looking for stories and experiences. Furthermore, I have been a devoted consumer of horror cinema for years, consuming titles from Thailand and various other international markets," Kamal stated.
This background suggests that her role in The Doll Ghawiah is not merely a professional assignment but an intersection of her personal interests and her craft. However, the actress emphasized that there is a stark difference between enjoying horror as a passive viewer and living within a manufactured horror environment for weeks at a time during principal photography.
The Psychology of Fear on Set
The production of The Doll Ghawiah employed immersive set design and lighting techniques specifically intended to elicit visceral reactions from the cast. For an actress who acknowledges her own sensitivity to environmental energy, the set became a challenge of psychological regulation.
Kamal explained that the ability to sense "auras" or shifts in energy is a double-edged sword for an actor. While it can enhance the performance, it can also lead to mental fatigue. To mitigate the potentially overwhelming atmosphere of the set, she adopted a specific coping mechanism.
"If you remain silent and stationary for too long, you become susceptible to the energy of the environment. I consciously choose to reject that feeling. I remind myself that my energy cannot be depleted by fear. To keep my spirits up, I make a point of being lighthearted—joking around, singing, and maintaining a positive vibration," she explained. This professional tactic of compartmentalization is a common, yet essential, tool used by actors in the horror genre to maintain emotional stability while transitioning between the "real world" and the "scripted nightmare."
The Ghawiah Phenomenon: Fear of the Humanoid
While the actress displayed resilience in the face of the film’s overall atmosphere, she noted a specific phobia that proved difficult to overcome: the presence of the film’s titular prop, the Ghawiah doll. In horror cinema, the use of dolls—or "automatonophobia"—is a classic trope that exploits the uncanny valley, where a non-human object mimics human features closely enough to create a sense of unease.
Kamal’s aversion to the prop is rooted in her childhood experiences. Unlike many children who grow up with humanoid dolls, her early exposure was limited to animal-shaped plush toys.
"I am terrified that there is something ‘in’ them. Because I didn’t grow up with human-like dolls, I am not desensitized to them. If I have a teddy bear or a plush pig, it is comforting. But if a doll with human features is placed by my bedside, I immediately begin to overthink. I fear that it might suddenly blink or look at me. It is a paradox: I am brave enough to take the role, but I am genuinely afraid of the prop," she shared.
Contextualizing the Horror Genre in Indonesia
The Indonesian horror industry has seen a massive resurgence over the last decade, with films like The Doll franchise, Pengabdi Setan, and KKN di Desa Penari breaking domestic box office records. According to data from the Indonesian Film Producers Association (APFI), horror films consistently account for more than 40% of the total ticket sales for local productions annually.
The success of these films is largely attributed to the cultural intersection of folklore, religious belief, and high-production-value cinematography. By tapping into the local audience’s collective consciousness—where the belief in the supernatural is widespread—filmmakers can generate deep psychological engagement that transcends simple jump scares.
In the case of The Doll Ghawiah, the marketing strategy relies heavily on the "cursed object" trope. This sub-genre, which has been popularized by international hits like Annabelle or Chucky, functions by turning a symbol of innocence—a doll—into a vessel for malevolence. The industry’s continued reliance on this trope reflects a market demand for "tangible" horror, where the threat is an physical object that can be tracked, held, and feared.
Implications for the Production
The production of a horror film requires a delicate balance between artistic vision and the psychological safety of the crew. When lead actors are highly sensitive to their environment, as Titi Kamal has described herself, the production often employs counselors or spiritual advisors—a common, albeit often unspoken, practice in the Southeast Asian film industry.
From an analytical standpoint, the casting of an actress who holds a genuine, personal belief in the supernatural adds a layer of authenticity that is difficult to replicate with method acting alone. When the audience perceives that the actor’s fear is not entirely simulated, the immersion is strengthened. This "authentic terror" is often what elevates a film from a standard commercial product to a cult classic.
However, the industry also faces the challenge of maintaining safety protocols. There have been numerous reports in the past of actors experiencing high levels of stress or even health issues during horror shoots, leading to an increasing emphasis on "mental health on set." Production companies are now more frequently providing support systems to ensure that actors can disengage from their dark roles once the cameras stop rolling.
Looking Ahead
The release of The Doll Ghawiah is highly anticipated, with industry analysts predicting strong performance during its upcoming theatrical run. The film’s success will likely hinge on the chemistry between the cast and the effective utilization of its props, specifically the Ghawiah doll.
For Titi Kamal, the role represents a maturation of her career. Having transitioned from various genres, her willingness to delve into the psychological complexities of the horror genre demonstrates her versatility as an actress. While she continues to navigate her personal fear of dolls, her commitment to the project remains steadfast.
As the industry continues to evolve, the discourse surrounding the psychological impact of horror acting is likely to grow. The transparency offered by actors like Titi Kamal provides the public with a better understanding of the rigors of the industry, demystifying the "magic" of cinema while highlighting the genuine emotional labor required to bring these terrifying stories to life.
As of September 2026, the film is in the final stages of post-production, with promotional tours scheduled to commence next month. The public remains keen to see how the combination of atmospheric storytelling and the cast’s authentic reactions will translate to the silver screen, further cementing Indonesia’s position as a powerhouse in the global horror market.
