15/05/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAY 15, 2026

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Sarimah embraces horror, pushes acting boundaries

“During the shoot, there were many scenes where we had to stay in the water for long periods, crawl through physically demanding sequences and work with special effects that are not fully shown to the audience. But for me, the biggest challenge lies in the emotional aspect – acting alongside others while simultaneously concealing both the dark and the good sides of the character, all while expressing layers of mystery that require very fine emotional control,” she said. Pewaris Susuk, which t e – s y rk he le ry ol,”

A FTER a long absence from the silver screen since her last appearance in Gerak Khas The Movie 3 in 2005, actress Sarimah Ibrahim is making a striking return with the horror film Pewaris Susuk . The 48-year-old actress admitted her role as Seroja demanded a high level of emotional commitment, requiring her to delve deeply into a character layered with mystery. She said the main challenge was not merely physical acting but sustaining subtle emotional layers to ensure the character remained consistent and unpredictable throughout the film. “This role requires very delicate emotional control. Many things cannot be expressed overtly, but instead must be conveyed implicitly,” she told Bernama at a recent gala screening. For the Malay-Irish actress, the filming process offered an opportunity to explore new acting approaches, particularly in bringing to life tense scenes that are central to the horror genre. She added among the challenges on set were many scenes involving extensive special effects, as well as situations requiring her to confront realistic horror visuals, testing her emotional resilience and focus throughout filming. o Star returns to silver screen after two-decade hiatus

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PLAYING in cinemas since early May, Tarung: Unforgiven promises a different experience for action movie fans, with the film offering more than just fight sequences. Instead, actor and producer Aedy Ashraf said the film centres on inner conflict, ego and the struggle to forgive as the core of its storyline. “The hardest battle is actually the battle within ourselves, our own emotions. Physically, anyone can fight, but what happens inside us is far heavier and more meaningful. Everyone has made mistakes. Some may see them as small but when they involve the people we love, apologising is never easy,” he said when met after Bernama Radio’s Fokus 30 programme. The 33-year-old actor, whose real name is Mohammad Addy Ashraf Rosmadi, also admitted feeling anxious ahead of the film’s release, saying audience reception would be the true measure of his debut effort as also stars Alya Iman and Rosyam Nor, tells the story of Maya, played by Alya, who tries to rebuild her life with her child after the trauma of witnessing her mother Juriah’s (Sherie Merlis) death, caused by an unresolved dark pact. However, her new life takes a sinister turn when she begins working at a secluded bungalow that harbours a dark family history and is plagued by mystical disturbances, leading to the revelation of a bloodline secret that demands deadly sacrifice. Meanwhile, Sarimah said she remains open to challenging herself with more complex roles in the future, including characters that ory lya, r life

Pewaris Susuk is currently playing in cinemas nationwide.

differ

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from her previous image. “I enjoy trying something new. As long as there is room to learn and grow, I will continue to seize those opportunities,” she said.

Sarimah returns to the silver screen after a long hiatus. – PICS FROM IMDB Sarimah, who is also a singer, described the re-release of her song Kini Kau Tiada in a new version as carrying a sense of nostalgia that resonates with fans, particularly millennials. Sometimes things such as cartoons, food or songs become memories. That song, first released in 2001, is also part of people’s nostalgia, she added. Tarung: Unforgiven explores inner conflict beyond action-packed scenes

a producer. Sharing the challenges behind the production, Aedy said taking on dual roles as both producer and lead actor gave him a unique experience, as he had to balance responsibilities behind the scenes while fully committing to his character. He added the film was funded through the Creative Content Fund by the National Film Development Corp Malaysia, alongside support from industry partners and his own investment, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, director Razaisyam Rashid said the film adopts a simpler and more accessible storytelling approach, allowing audiences to better connect with the emotions and journeys of each character, in line with its central message on inner conflict and emotional struggle. “In the end, we are actually fighting ourselves and learning to make peace with the traumas we have experienced.

The film is Aedy’s first project as a producer. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

“Everyone faces struggles of their own, and that is what we are trying to highlight in this film,” he said.

Besides Aedy, the film also stars Zul Ariffin, Bront Palarae, Azira Shafinaz, Sharifah Sakinah and Amir Ahnaf.

(From left) Aedy, Razaisyam and Amir.