From Fantasy to Supernatural Sci-Fi, Netflix Expands Indonesian Films and Series

Rusli Eddy

Head of Content, Indonesia

When I first sat down with the creators of Cigarette Girl, most of whom are women, I knew it was a story worth telling. The period drama went on to capture hearts both locally and internationally. Similarly, Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso sparked millions of online conversations, a level of engagement we hadn't seen with documentaries in a while.

At Netflix, we don't shy away from daring storytelling that feels authentic to the Indonesian experience. Our goal has always been to seek out unique, bold stories and tell them with unrivaled quality.

This year, we're broadening our storytelling with a range of genres including comedy, fantasy, and sci-fi thrillers. We continue to partner with the finest talents in the local industry, both in front of and behind the camera, while providing opportunities for up-and-coming young talents.

Our inaugural collaboration with the brilliant Joko Anwar in Nightmares and Daydreams also marks his first foray into supernatural science fiction. This highly anticipated series boasts an impressive cast, including Ario Bayu, Lukman Sardi, Marissa Anita, Nirina Zubir, Sita Nursanti, Fachri Albar, and Asmara Abigail.

After the success of his Netflix debut with The Big 4, Timo Tjahjanto returns with the action-packed film The Shadow Strays, featuring Indonesia's rising young actors such as Aurora Ribero in her first action film outing, Kristo Immanuel, and Ali Fikry.

Putri Marino takes on the role of a strong heroine in Borderless Fog, a crime thriller set in Borneo, from award-winning director Edwin.

Making films that resonate

From classic cinematic masterpieces to contemporary works, Indonesia films hold a special place in the hearts of our local audiences, and our lineup this year reflects that sentiment.

Building on the success of Cigarette Girl, we're adapting another bestseller for the screen, Titik Nol, starring Denny Sumargo and Marissa Anita. Adding to our repertoire is the intriguing no-dialogue suspense thriller, Monster, starring Marsha Timothy, Alex Abbad, and Anantya Kirana.

We are also thrilled that the long-awaited and critically acclaimed 24 Hours with Gaspar will start streaming on Netflix next month, bringing the dystopian crime drama to viewers across Indonesia and an even larger global audience.

Our global platform enables Indonesian talents to shine on an international stage, and an increasing number of local creators and talents are now being seen and appreciated by audiences and critics around the world. Together, we're crafting Indonesian stories that can be loved anywhere and resonate with anyone - stories that you will not find anywhere else.