‘Grave Torture’ Cast And Character Guide

Grave Torture is a brand-new Indonesian Netflix Original that is a psychological horror film that explores the themes of death, sin, the afterlife, radicalism, mental health, and abuse. All of these aspects are found in the stories of the characters of the film, which is extensively covered by the writer and director Joko Anwar. 

Sita

Faradina Mufti and Widuri Puteri, both actors, portray the roles of older and younger Sita, respectively, in Grave Torture. Sita was the one who was most deeply affected by the death of her parents, as she witnessed them being killed by a suicide bomber. The young girl is disturbed to learn of grave torture, the reason behind the suicide bomber’s radicalization. Sita never processed the pain of losing her parents, and quickly jumped into debunking grave torture theories. As she refuses to get radicalized in the Islamic boarding school, she finds a way out for herself and her brother Adil. Even though Sita is the younger sibling, she is the stronger one and a quick decision-maker, unlike Adil, who is the exact opposite of her. Sita grows into a steadfast woman who is still on the mission to find out what happens during a grave torture as it will help her find answers about religious radicalization. Sita essentially wants closure for her parents death, and she refuses to stop at any given point.

Adil

Reza Rahadian and Muzakki Ramdhan portray the older and younger versions of Adil, Sita’s older brother. Adil is the one who speaks to the suicide bomber moments before his parents being killed by the same man. Unlike Sita, Adil is devastated and is vocal about the pain of losing his parents in a horrifying manner. Adil wants to cry and grieve for his parents, while Sita’s reaction, her desire to find answers, surprises him. Unlike his younger sister, Adil is sensitive and works as per the instructions of Sita, who wants to find a way out of the Islamic Boarding School. 

As Adil and Sita grow up, both work in a similar field. Adil’s pain has only increased, but he refuses to deal with it the right way. He is emotionless, even as his wife decides to leave him, which could be a result of the trauma he faced when he became an orphan and was subjected to sexual harassment in the boarding school. Sita is his biggest support, and without her, he would crumble like a damp wall. Adil is not keen on finding answers like Sita, but he joins her in every expedition to find out more about grave torture. 

Nani

Christine Hakim, as Nani in Grave Torture, is one of the patrons living in the old age home where Sita is working as a nurse. It is an intimate space where many old people of their age live. A few of them are friendly with each other, while Sita, along with her colleagues, seems to be happy with the job given to them. Nani and her husband Pandi live in the same old age home, and they come across as the oldest yet the happiest couple in the establishment. Sita is happy to help them, as it is a small community inside the home for the elderly. Nani, however, is in for a rude shock on learning her husband of fifty years is cheating on her with one of the nurses, and it makes her wonder if he may have done it in the past. Nani is devastated and, rightly so, chooses to sleep in another room despite him profusely apologizing to her. 

Wahyu

Slamet Rahardjo, as Wahyu, is the rich businessman living in the same old-age home where Sita works as a nurse. Wahyu comes across as a man with many regrets, and he keeps a small revolver with him, indicating that he is suicidal. He talks about not wanting to go back to his family, as he is aware no one in the family likes him other than for his wealth. Wahyu’s words suggest he has a lot of regrets from the past. Sita, who happens to do a thorough background check of every patron that is admitted in the home for the elderly, comes to know that Wahyu in his younger days went by another name. He owned several schools, and one of them was the boarding school Adil and Sita attended. She learns he is the one who sexually molested her brother. She feels he will be the perfect candidate for testing the existence of grave torture because of his reckless past and is eager to watch him die. 

Wahyu, however, is confronting his past and is regretful. He is aware he might not have a wonderful afterlife because of the sins he committed, which makes him want to stay in the old age home rather than with his family. Wahyu’s regrets do not erase the sins he committed, and he will have to face the consequences of them. 

Pandi

Arswendy Bening Swara is Pandi in Grave Torture, Nani’s husband, who she caught cheating on her. Pandi and Nani have been married for fifty years, and they seemed like the happiest being together, spending the last few years in a home for the elderly. Pandi himself is devastated when he is caught cheating. His apologies do not have any effect on Nani and others watching as their marriage unceremoniously breaks down. Nani also had to convince himself to take part in a séance conducted by one of the patrons to find a solution that would help them live a peaceful life. Pandi is regretful for his actions, but his inability to find closure haunts him. 

Lani

Runny Rudiyanti is Lani, one of the nurses working with Sita in the old age home. Lani is the one who is caught in a compromising position with Pandi by Nani and Sita. This devastates her as well, as she feels guilty for breaking up a long marriage. Lani probably did not have any plans to be with Pandi in the long term. All the nurses live in a place where there is no access to affectionate physical touch. Lani may have fallen for Pandi’s charm and hoped to have a good time with him. Lani, just like Pandi did not realize, the chain of reactions and events post they are caught would become distressing, and she hopes she is not attacked for her sins.