Thailand’s second-highest-grossing film of 2026 arrives in Malaysia: ‘The Confessions of a Shaman’ asks who the real monsters are

Teeradetch Metawarayut stars as Tor in The Confessions of a Shaman. — Picture courtesy of Barnstorm Entertainment

By Ian Jeremiah Patrick

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:51 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Ghosts and spirits have long been staples of horror films, but sometimes the most unsettling horrors come not from the supernatural, but from the cruelty people inflict on one another.

This is the central idea behind The Confessions of a Shaman.

This Thai horror-thriller directed by Natthanon Cholumpi explores grief, injustice and desperation through a story involving black magic while examining how personal suffering can drive people toward disturbing choices.

Thai horror cinema has long drawn inspiration from folklore, spiritual beliefs and occult traditions.

The Confessions of a Shaman uses these familiar elements as a backdrop to explore human suffering and the increasingly blurred boundaries between victim and perpetrator.

At the centre of the story is Tor, played by Teeradetch Metawarayut, whose life takes a devastating turn following a series of injustices.

Overwhelmed by grief, Tor turns to black magic in search of retribution, setting him on a path shaped by anger and increasingly disturbing choices.

Rather than relying solely on supernatural encounters to create fear, the film examines what drives Tor’s transformation, showing how personal tragedy can push someone toward darkness.

A box-office hit with a chilling Malaysian debut

The film arrives in Malaysian cinemas with an impressive commercial performance in Thailand behind it.

Following its Thai theatrical release on August 12, 2026, The Confessions of a Shaman reportedly collected THB120 million (approximately RM14.47 million) within its first five days, making it the country’s second-highest-grossing Thai film of 2026 at the time.

The film is produced with the involvement of M Studio, the company associated with Thailand’s successful Death Whisperer franchise, which has established a strong following among fans of Thai supernatural horror.

Adding to its appeal, Thai K-pop star BamBam, best known as a member of internationally recognised boy group GOT7, makes his feature-film debut with the production, offering another point of interest for audiences familiar with his music career.

The Confessions of a Shaman is also adapted from a popular spooky story featured on The Ghost Radio, one of Thailand’s best-known horror storytelling channels on YouTube, which boasts millions of subscribers.

Final thoughts

While The Confessions of a Shaman draws on familiar Thai horror elements, its exploration of grief, injustice and human cruelty gives the story a darker dimension beyond its supernatural premise.

Rather than presenting evil as something that exists only in the spirit world, the film suggests that the suffering people inflict on one another can be equally, if not more, terrifying.

Sometimes, the greatest horrors are not found among the dead, but created by the living.

The Confessions of a Shaman opens in Malaysian cinemas today, distributed by Barnstorm Entertainment, and also stars Shahkrit Yamnarm and Jelilcha Kapaun.