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Horror film

May the Devil Take You (2018): Cast, Ratings & Ending

May the Devil Take You (2018) movie poster

May the Devil Take You is a 2018 horror film directed by Timo Tjahjanto, starring Ray Sahetapy as Lesmana, Karina Suwandhi and Chelsea Islan. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
Echo Score
63
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May the Devil Take You (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Timo Tjahjanto
Genre
Horror
Original language
Indonesian
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is May the Devil Take You About?

The premise of May the Devil Take You without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young woman investigates her father’s deteriorating health and the history of his long-abandoned villa. She discovers a disturbing past connected to the house, revealing a legacy of dark secrets and a terrifying evil that puts her and her father in grave danger. The investigation uncovers a malevolent force determined to claim them both.

May the Devil Take You Themes & Keywords

· 47 tags
  • hospital
  • witchcraft
  • voodoo doll
  • old house
  • demon
  • curse
  • driving in the rain
  • group of five
  • forest
  • hammer
  • hit with a hammer
  • head bashed in
+35 more
  • evil stepmother
  • rain
  • playing piano
  • demonic undead
  • demonic possession
  • basement
  • survival horror
  • black magic
  • psychotronic film
  • blood
  • hair
  • extreme violence
  • covered in blood
  • gore
  • stepbrother
  • stepmother
  • sister
  • father daughter relationship
  • vomiting blood
  • blood splatter
  • flashback
  • piano
  • fall from height
  • falling to death
  • mother daughter relationship
  • supernatural power
  • screaming
  • paranoia
  • panic
  • tragic past
  • brother sister relationship
  • black eyed
  • possession
  • vomiting
  • death of mother
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Cast & crew

May the Devil Take You Cast & Characters

Ray Sahetapy leads the cast as Lesmana, with Karina Suwandhi as Laksmi and Chelsea Islan as Alfie. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in May the Devil Take You

· 6 more
From the director

More from Timo Tjahjanto

More films directed by Timo Tjahjanto, best-rated first: The Big 4, V/H/S/94, The Night Comes for Us and Nobody 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

May the Devil Take You Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave May the Devil Take You 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (45).

63 /100

May the Devil Take You Echo Score Breakdown

May the Devil Take You delivers a spirited blend of gore-driven horror and playful nods to classic 80s demon films, though it often struggles with narrative coherence and pacing. Several critics highlighted its visceral energy, demonic set pieces, and comedic relief amidst the blood-soaked spectacle, while detractors noted messy direction and clumsy script that distract from the core thrills. Overall, the film’s vivid scares and imaginative visuals offer entertainment, even as structural lapses limit its lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film combines gritty practical effects with dynamic framing, though its direction occasionally feels unfocused. Critics noted moments of striking visuals, particularly during the climactic sequences, while some reviews cited messy staging and inconsistent editing that undercut the momentum. Overall, the movie’s artistic ambition shines through in its bold imagery even as technical unevenness hampers its polish.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character and emotion, performances are generally energetic but lack consistent depth. While several critics praised the cast’s physical commitment during possession scenes and occasional stellar moments, others found the dialogue awkward and some character arcs underdeveloped. Ultimately, the actors inject vitality into the horror, but uneven writing and fleeting emotional beats limit the film’s dramatic resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative struggles with coherence and pacing. Many reviews pointed to clumsy scripting, contradicting flashbacks, and noticeable plot holes that disrupt engagement. A few critics acknowledged a clever haunted-house twist, but most found the structural inconsistencies undermined the thematic impact. In net, the film’s premise intrigues, yet its uneven storyline diminishes overall immersion.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, May the Devil Take You excels in its visceral effects and atmospheric tension. Critics and viewers alike praised the gore-laden set pieces, chilling sound design, and creative practical makeup during possession sequences. A few noted occasional hokey visual effects and jump-scare reliance, but most agreed that the bold soundscape and striking imagery deliver a memorable horror ambiance.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When evaluating rewatch factor, the film offers moments of thrilling excitement but lacks sustained depth for frequent revisits. Enthusiasts of gore-driven horror may return for the inventive possession scenes and comedic frights, yet narrative flaws and tonal unevenness can lessen repeat enjoyment. Overall, the movie provides occasional replay appeal for genre fans while its structural weaknesses may limit broader lasting attraction.

Plot

May the Devil Take You Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in May the Devil Take You from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lesmana Wijaya finds himself ensnared in a dark pact to attain riches, setting off a chain of events that unfurls through newspaper clippings chronicling his ominous ascent to fame. Amidst this, the tragic suicide of his first wife, Intan, and his subsequent marriage to the retired actress Laksmi lead him down a path toward inevitable bankruptcy. His estranged daughter, Alfie, grapples with deep resentment towards her father for marrying Laksmi, despite holding no animosity towards her step-siblings, Ruben, Maya, and Nara.

Full summary

The whole story of May the Devil Take You, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

May the Devil Take You Trailers & Videos

The trailer of May the Devil Take You.

Official Trailer SEBELUM IBLIS MENJEMPUT (2018) Chelsea Islan & Pevita Pearce
Quiz

How Well Do You Know May the Devil Take You?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What dark pact does Lesmana Wijaya make?

Details

May the Devil Take You Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Before Satan Invites” and “Fortuna Maldita”.

Also known as
  • Before Satan Invites
  • Fortuna Maldita
  • Der Teufel soll dich holen
  • Пока Дьявол не позовёт
  • 恶魔的请柬
  • Que el diablo te lleve
  • 악마가 오기 전에
  • 願魔鬼與你同在
  • Az ördög vigyen el, ეშმაკსაც წაუღიხარ
  • Zanim diabeł zaprosi
  • Que Te Trague el Infierno
  • บ้านเฮี้ยน วิญญาณโหด

Seen May the Devil Take You?

FAQ

May the Devil Take You FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of May the Devil Take You, each answered in a sentence.

How long is May the Devil Take You?

May the Devil Take You runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was May the Devil Take You released?

May the Devil Take You was released on November 15, 2018.

Who directed May the Devil Take You?

May the Devil Take You was directed by Timo Tjahjanto.

More films by Timo Tjahjanto

Who is in the cast of May the Devil Take You?

May the Devil Take You stars Ray Sahetapy as Lesmana, Karina Suwandhi as Laksmi and Chelsea Islan as Alfie, among 10 credited actors.

How is May the Devil Take You rated?

May the Devil Take You has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does May the Devil Take You have a post-credit scene?

No. May the Devil Take You has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is May the Devil Take You in?

The original language of May the Devil Take You is Indonesian.

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