Back to Show
Monstrum
Pontianak: The Vampiric Ghost of Southeast Asia
Season 2
Episode 14
The pontianak, or kuntilanak, has long been a staple of Malay horror. In addition to serving as an allegory for the tension between traditional and modern cultural and spiritual practices, these monsters gave name to a real city. In this episode, you’ll learn how Islamic trade routes, animism, and the role of women in Southeast Asia contribute to stories of this notorious ghost.
Support Provided By
20:27
Borley Rectory has been called the most haunted house in England, and for good reason.
11:52
The Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter is one of America’s most famous alleged alien encounters.
11:49
In 1803, London’s Hammersmith Ghost sparked terror—and a deadly case of mistaken identity.
13:09
In 1973, a strange creature reportedly terrorized the small town of Enfield, Illinois.
8:49
Why is the Kitsune Japan's most enduring yokai?
14:48
For years, residents of Fouke, Arkansas have sighted a Bigfoot-like creature lurking in the woods.
8:30
In Greek mythology, Typhon wasn’t just another beast, he was a creature capable of defeating Zeus.
14:48
A haunting Dominican legend comes alive: La Ciguapa.
13:29
The Bell Witch may be the most chilling and best-documented hauntings in American history.
10:53
The Cold War-era UFO Mystery of The Lubbock Lights remains captivating to this day.
9:01
Let's look at how mascot horror twists cheerful childhood icons into unsettling threats.