<![CDATA[The film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap 2022 is an Indonesian family drama that portrays Batak society through its cultural values, traditions, and family dynamics between parents and children. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach within a constructivist paradigm and uses Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis, which examines meaning through three levels: denotation, connotation, and myth. The research data consisted of scenes, dialogues, expressions, gestures, and visual symbols related to the character Mak Domu. Data were collected through repeated film observation, scene documentation, and literature review. The findings show that Mak Domu is represented as a mediator of family conflicts, guardian of customs and traditions, symbol of family authority, maintainer of family harmony, agent of family reconciliation, and a woman who has the courage to express her opinions. At the denotative level, these representations are shown through Mak Domu’s actions and interactions. At the connotative level, she is portrayed as a loving, patient, wise mother who balances relationships between her husband and children. At the myth level, the film represents the Batak cultural view of mothers as symbols of sacrifice, family harmony, cultural preservation, and emotional support within a patriarchal structure. Thus, Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap not only portrays the mother as a caregiver but also as an important figure in maintaining family unity, cultural values, communication, and reconciliation.]]>
