Pakistani horror film “Deemak” is expanding internationally following its record-breaking local performance, with the supernatural thriller set to reach global audiences starting next month.
The film will open in the U.K., U.S., EU countries and Canada on Oct. 17, followed by a Gulf Cooperation Council release on Oct. 23. The international rollout involves multiple distributors: Bollywood Films & Cinema Specialist handles U.K. distribution, World Cinema Partners and Cinema Specialist cover the U.S. and Canada, Multivoice Pictures Limited takes the EU, and FunAsia manages GCC territories.
“Deemak” has earned PKR17.5 crore ($620,000) at the Pakistani box office, marking an unprecedented achievement for the horror genre in the region. The film claimed the title of Pakistan’s highest-grossing horror film of all time while continuing to play in select local cinemas.
Directed by Rafay Rashdi (“Badshah Begum,” “The Java Plum Tree”) and written by Ayesha Muzaffar (author of “Abus Jinns” and “Jinnistan”), “Deemak” explores the volatile relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law against a backdrop of escalating paranormal disturbances in a family home. The film is produced under Wah Wah Productions with Syed Murad Ali serving as executive producer.
The film assembles a cast of Pakistani talent including Faysal Quraishi (“Money Back Guarantee”), Sonya Hussyn (“Tich Button”), Samina Peerzada (“Balaa”), Javed Sheikh (“Chand Nagar”) and Bushra Ansari (“Tere Bin”).
The project also earned recognition on the festival circuit, taking home the best editing award at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival earlier this year.
“This is a defining moment for Pakistani cinema,” Rashdi said. “‘Deemak’ has not only broken records at home but also proven that local stories have the power to surpass Hollywood and Bollywood titles in our market. We are excited to now bring this story to international audiences who, we believe, will connect with its emotional and cultural depth as much as its scares.”
Executive producer Murad Ali added: “‘Deemak’ is more than a horror film, it is a cultural export. Its reception in Pakistan and recognition on the global festival stage are proof of its universal resonance. We look forward to audiences around the world experiencing what has become a landmark achievement for our industry.”
Pakistan‘s horror cinema has seen sporadic but significant milestones, beginning with the cult classic “Zinda Laash” (1967), widely regarded as the country’s first horror feature and a South Asian take on Dracula. After decades of low-budget productions and TV serials, the genre experienced a modern revival with “Zibahkhana” (2007), an English-Urdu zombie slasher that became Pakistan’s first horror film to screen at several international festivals. This paved the way for titles like “Maya” (2015) and “Aksbandh” (2016), both of which explored supernatural horror with local folklore elements. More recently, “In Flames” (2023), a psychological horror debuting at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, signaled a shift toward arthouse sensibilities. Though still niche and operating under conservative content constraints, Pakistan’s horror genre continues to find footing through hybrid narratives, festival exposure, and indie experimentation.