Thrown into Sharp Relief: The Functional Representation of the Qur’an in the Indonesian Religious Horror Film Qodrat 2

Abstract

This article examines the functional representation of Qur’anic verses in the Indonesian religious horror film Qodrat 2, focusing on how the sacred text is recontextualized within a contemporary cinematic narrative. Rather than treating the Qur’an as a purely liturgical or textual authority, the film rearticulates it as a performative and visual agent embedded within the narrative conflict. This study examines how verses are selected, visualized, and how their meaning is produced within the film’s structure. Using Stuart Hall’s theory of representation, this study analyzes the construction of meaning through visual imagery, dialogue, and embodied performances. The findings indicate that Qodrat 2 reconstructs the Qur’an as an active symbolic force that mediates the struggle between human and supernatural entities. A total of 17 Qur’anic verses were identified as integral components of narrative development and character formation. More importantly, the film views the recitation of the Qur’an not merely as a ritual practice, but as a form of symbolic agency operating within a semi-heroic narrative logic. This study argues that such representations reflect a broader shift in the mediation of sacred texts within popular culture. The Qur’an is increasingly being reinterpreted through visual-performative modes. This transformation signifies an epistemological shift in religious meaning, particularly within the context of contemporary Islamic media and religious horror cinema in Indonesia.