Maslow Entertainment has released the trailer for the Australian psychological horror film The Moogai. Watch it above.
The narrative intertwines First Nations storytelling with psychological horror, delving into the haunting legacy of the Stolen Generations. In Indigenous Australian culture, “Moogai” refers to a malevolent spirit or “boogeyman,” setting a chilling tone for the film’s exploration of fear rooted in cultural lore.
The story centers on Sarah and Fergus, a young Aboriginal couple celebrating the birth of their second child. Their joy turns to anxiety when Sarah begins seeing a sinister entity she believes is intent on taking their baby. Fergus, unable to see the apparition but concerned for his partner, grapples with the possibility that Sarah’s perceptions may be endangering their family. The film poses a tense question: Is the threat supernatural, or is it stemming from within?
The cast features prominent Australian actors, including Shari Sebbens—known for The Sapphires and Thor: Love and Thunder—and Meyne Wyatt from We Are Still Here and ABC TV’s Mystery Road. Supporting roles are filled by Tessa Rose (Top End Wedding), Clarence Ryan (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Toby Leonard Moore (Mank), and Bella Heathcote (Relic, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).
This is the feature-length debut for director Jon Bell, who’s building upon his acclaimed short of the same name. The film is produced by Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Causeway Films—who previously worked on Aussie horror hits like The Babadook and Talk To Me—alongside Mitchell Stanley of No Coincidence Media.
Earlier this year, The Moogai made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, garnering international attention. It later premiered in Australia at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival, where it won the GIO Audience Award for Best Australian Feature. The film also featured at the Melbourne International Film Festival and received the $100,000 Film Prize at the CinefestOZ Film Festival in Western Australia.
The Moogai is scheduled for a wide release across Australian cinemas on October 31, 2024, coinciding with Halloween.
