Between Faith and Film: A Comparative Reception Analysis of Mentega Terbang among Malaysian and Indonesian Students

Abstract

The Malaysian film Mentega Terbang has generated significant debate due to its portrayal of religious questioning, interfaith exploration, and sensitive theological themes. While previous discussions have largely focused on doctrinal critiques and institutional responses, limited attention has been given to how audiences themselves interpret the film. This study employs a reception analysis to examine how university students from Malaysia and Indonesia interpret and respond to the religious narratives presented in Mentega Terbang. Using purposive sampling, participants were first asked to watch the full film before participating in in-depth interviews that explored their interpretations, emotional reactions, and perceived implications for faith and religious identity. Guided by Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding framework, the study identifies dominant, negotiated, and oppositional readings among participants from both countries. The findings reveal that while many students expressed concern over themes perceived as challenging Islamic orthodoxy, responses varied according to socio-religious context, religious education, and cultural background. Malaysian participants tended to emphasise institutional and doctrinal boundaries surrounding aqidah, whereas Indonesian participants displayed relatively more varied interpretations influenced by Indonesia’s diverse Islamic traditions and pluralistic environment. Despite these differences, participants from both contexts largely interpreted the film through a moral and religious lens, reflecting the continuing significance of faith-based frameworks in shaping audience reception. The study contributes to scholarship on religion and media by demonstrating how socio-religious environments influence the interpretation of controversial media texts in Southeast Asia.