After wowing Matt Donato and many more attendees of the film’s recent Fantastic Fest screening, Joko Anwar’s Ghost in the Cell will be released in the US theaters on October 2nd. This week, I had a chance to catch up with Joko Anwar to discuss the origin of the story, the practical effects behind the movie’s “ghost,” and balancing the film’s humor, horror, and heart:
“Director Joko Anwar plunges viewers into a high-security prison ruled by feuding gangs and a tyrannical warden. The arrival of a new inmate kicks off a series of mysterious gruesome murders that leave its victims on morbid display. The hapless inmates trapped in the prison must overcome their rivalries to unmask an invisible, otherworldly enemy. No one is safe as the cells cage in the horrors and a ghost roams the prison with murderous intent.”
- Written & Directed by: Joko Anwar
- Produced by: Tia Hasibuan
- Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Almanzo Konoralma, Aming Sugandhi, Arswendy Bening Swara, Bront Palarae, Dimas Danang Suryonegoro
- Genre: Action / Comedy / Horror / Thriller
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- U.S. Release Date: October 2, 2026
For more information on the film and local screening options, visit: https://wellgousa.com/films/ghost-cell
*Note: While we do encounter some connection quality issues during the interview, I felt it was more important to hear directly from Joko Anwar so that you could see Anwar’s passion and excitement for filmmaking and this movie.
