It’s a good year for the Malaysian film industry, with two films recording strong box office earnings nationwide.
Action flick Tarung: Unforgivenrecorded RM20.3 million in box office earnings since its release on 7 May, while supernatural folklore horror-thriller Polongbrought in a remarkable RM14.2 million since its theatrical debut on 28 May.
Tarung: Unforgiven — written, directed, and executive produced by Razaisyam Rashid — tells the story of Hatta (Mierul Aiman), a former silat champion haunted by the shadows of a tragic past. When his sister’s health is on the line, he’s forced back into the ring, fighting in a brutal underground arena to save her. Audiences praised the film as a gripping drama with an emotional core, touching on themes of family and hardship, and applauded its action-packed, realistically choreographed fight sequences.
Razaisyam was moved by the support for the film and hoped Tarung could become a catalyst for local action films to grow bigger and bolder.
Meanwhile, Polong, directed by Zulkarnain Azhar, follows ambitious journalist Fatima (Mimi Lana) as she digs into the dark past of Maria Hadi (Jun Lojong), a notorious shaman known for practicing black magic. Her investigation takes a perilous turn when she accidentally unleashes malevolent spirits, known as polong, from a sealed bottle — pulling both her and Maria’s estranged daughter into a curse of vengeance. The horror-thriller has drawn praise for its atmospheric tension, tight storytelling, and strong performances from its ensemble cast.
