(2026) The Invisible Guest - The Indonesian Remake of Well Received Full of Twist Psychological Drama Movie from Spain

When I got notification email from HBO Max several days ago, I was surprised as it promoted a new Indonesian movie that I never heard or known before. Anyway once I saw its premise and the lead star I was obviously intrigued. So when it was finally released yesterday at 2 PM like advertised, I immediately watched it. Without further ado, here's more on the film.

Brief Story Line

Movie started with the appearance of Reza (Reza Rahadian - Keadilan, Berbalas Kejam etc), a very experienced lawyer in the apartment where Mawar (Mawar de Jongh - Virgo and the Sparklings, The Shadow Strays etc) was staying. She was under house arrest as main suspect in the murder of Yoshi (Arifin Putra - Foxtrot 6, Sang Pengadil etc). As someone who never lost a case, Reza demanded Mawar to tell her every little detail including things related to the missing person case sometime back.

Timur - Directorial Debut of Iko Uwais Which Sadly Underperformed

This week, Netflix got plenty of new movies and series released, including several older shows from other networks that made me pretty busy playing catch up. But this film that was made available yesterday caught my attention so I decided to immediately watch it last night. All right then, why don't I get right to it.

Brief Story Line

A group of researchers that included few Indonesians and foreigners together with local guide Apollo (Aufa Assagaf) and Yoseph (Adhin Abdul Hakim) who went to East Indonesia were captured and taken hostage by terrorist group led by Tobias (Arnold Kobogau) and his right hand man Frans (Macho Hungan).

With negotiations going nowhere, the Indonesian government decided to do a military operation by the Special Forces Corps (Kopassus). Timur (Iko Uwais - Ash, Triple Threat etc) and his best friend Sila (Jimmy Kobogau) were among these elite soldiers who were assigned on this highly dangerous mission. 

Keadilan - An Enjoyable Enough Indonesian Action Thriller Movie

When I saw this movie promoted in the Coming Soon section of Netflix, I already set my eyes on it. But somehow I missed out on the day it was released and only saw the day after. All right then, I'll just get on with the film then.

Brief Story Line

Raka (Rio Dewanto - Ben & Jody, Kamu Tidak Sendiri etc) had been working as security guard in the Court House witnessing various cases tried with the latest controversial one which resulted to injustice ruling. Meanwhile his pregnant wife Nina (Niken Anjani - 13 Bom di Jakarta, 1 Kakak 7 Ponakan etc) was in the final stage of studying to become a lawyer.

Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan - Lovely Romance Drama with Some Sci-Fi Element

After finding out last month on Netflix that this movie would be released on 8th of January 2026, I was very much looking forward to it. So yesterday when it was made available, I immediately watched it despite I was in the middle of another series. Without further ado, here's more on the film.

Brief Story Line

Jonathan (Dion Wiyoko - A Normal Woman, Cek Toko Sebelah 2 etc) was an Indonesian photographer who had been living in Croatia for quite some time and aspiring to have his own exhibition with the help from his manager Karlo (Goran Bogdan - The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, Fargo TV series etc). One day Jonathan woke up with an unknown woman beside his bed who claimed to be his wife from future named Sore (Sheila Dara AIsha - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Teka Teki Tika etc). Obviously Jonathan did not believe her, until she was able to slowly convince him. Sore's intention was to improve Jonathan's health style which was a huge challenge due to his bad habits of smoking, drinking and lack of sleeping.

Agak Laen: Menyala Pantiku! - A Standalone Sequel That Was Still As Enjoyable As The First Movie

After more than a week of release, my wife and I decided to see this movie in the cinema very near to our home at noon today where we can still easily get our favorite seats. Amazingly the film was playing in 3 studios which meant that we could opt to see it every half hour to forty five minutes. All right then, why don't I just get to it now.

Brief Story Line

Four police detectives that consisted of Bene (Bene Dion - The Underdogs, Susah Sinyal etc), Boris (Boris Bokir - Ngeri Ngeri Sedap, Guru Guru Gokil etc), Jegel (Indra Jegel - The Guys, Miracle in Cell No. 7 etc) and Oki (Oki Rengga - Keluarga Super Irit, Cinta Tak Seindah Drama Korea etc) have been under a lot scrutiny due to their repeated failures in the past. They were given final chance to redeem themselves by their superior, Commander Ario (Ariyo Wahab - Ganjil Genap, Sayap Sayap Patah etc) to find the murder suspect from 2 years ago who have fled to a nursing home.

Abadi Nan Jaya - Intense Indonesian Horror Movie with Some High Quality Zombie Effects

I was really interested in this Indonesian movie when I saw it was promoted in the Coming Soon section in Netflix. So when it was finally released yesterday, I immediately gave it a try. Without further ado, here's more on the movie. 

Brief Story Line

Story was set in a small town in Central Java, where a traditional company that specialized in making herbs was tasked to create a medicine that could make person younger by its owner Mr. Sadimin (Donny Damara - Kembang Api, Perwira dan Ksatria etc). When the experiment seemed to be successful, Sadimin decided not to sell the company which gravely upset his family that consisted of his new younger wife Karina (Eva Celia - Andai Ibu Tidak Menikah dengan Ayah, Pendekar Tongkat Emas etc), his jobless son Bambang (Marthino Lio - Seperti Dendam. Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas, Glenn Fredly the Movie etc), his younger sister Kenes (Mikha Tambayong - Bismillah Kunikahi Suamimu, Induk Gajah TV series etc) with her husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara - Sri Asih, Lafran etc) who came together with their young son Raihan (Varren Arianda Calief) just to sign the sale paper.

A Normal Woman - Interesting Idea but Execution Wise not Exactly to My Liking

This new original movie from Netflix that was released last Friday seemed intriguing for me with its brief yet mysterious synopsis. As I went to see a blockbuster film on that night, I only got the chance to watch it yesterday. OK, I'll just get right to it.

Brief Story Line

The Gunawan family that consisted of housewife Milla (Marissa Anita - Perempuan Tanah Jahanam, Air Mata Buaya etc), her successful husband Jonathan (Dion Wiyoko - Imperfect, Falling in Love Like in Movies etc), their teenaged child Angel (Mima Shafa) and Jon's mother Liliana (Widyawati - Sabar Ini Ujian, Sweet 20 etc) were living together in their large & beautiful house. From the outside they looked like a harmonious family, but Milla was actually having a bit of stress. 

Pengepungan Di Bukit Duri - Highly Intense Action Thriller with Strong Social Theme

On Thursday, there was this Indonesian movie released in the cinemas which intrigued me due to its genre and director's name. Since yesterday was public holiday, my wife and I decided to see this together with another new film on our movie marathon day. OK, let's just get on with it then.

Brief Story Line

Set in the year 2027, 18 years after a racial riot in Indonesia, the racism towards Chinese minority was at all time high as they became object of racially motivated violence. Edwin (Morgan Oey - My Stupid Boss 2, Assalamualaikum Beijing etc) was a substitute teacher who had just transferred to Bukit Duri High School with many troubled students. 

The Shadow Strays - An Ultra Violent Martial Arts Movie from Indonesia's Experienced Action Filmmaker

When I saw this movie in the coming soon section on Netflix, I was immediately intrigued especially since it was directed by one of the Indonesian prominent film maker. So I have put a reminder to watch it as soon as it's available, which was yesterday. All right, let's get on to the movie now, shall we?

Brief Story Line

A group of assassins known as Shadows of Death existed in the crime world and could be hired for the right price. One of the newest recruit with code name 13 (Aurora Ribero - Susah Sinyal, Like & Share etc) who had been personally trained by senior instructor Umbra (Hana Malasan - Ben & Jody, Kereta Berdarah etc), was told to lay low and wait for next assignment in Jakarta by their Handler (Chew Kin Wah - Cek Toko Sebelah 2, My Stupid Boss 2 etc).

Kabut Berduri - A Decent Netflix Original Indonesian Crime Thriller Movie

After reading one sentence of this Indonesian movie promoted in Netflix under the coming soon section, I was heavily intrigued. So when it was finally released yesterday, I immediately gave it a try. Without further ado, here's more on the film.

Brief Story Line

When a corpse was found at the border of Indonesia and Malaysia in Borneo island, Inspector Sanja (Putri Marino - The Big 4, Layangan Putus the Movie etc) was sent from Jakarta to investigate. However, the local police chief Panca (Lukman Sardi - Nightmares and Daydreams TV series, Gundala etc) was not so receptive as he thought she was too green. Panca later assigned one of his subordinate Thomas (Yoga Pratama - Berbalas Kejam, Buya Hamka etc) to accompany Sanja during the investigation.

Despite being an outsider, Sanja still managed to find a lot of information. Things would become more complicated when it was found out that there was more than 1 victim. 

(2024) Monster - A Supposedly Smart Thriller but Sadly Failed to Make a Great Impression

When this movie was released few days ago, I did not seem to be noticing it. Not until it showed up when I was looking for new movies to watch and I was immediately intrigued by the premise and the promotion from Netflix. Without further ado, I'll just get right on it.

Brief Story Line

Two primary students Alana (Anantya Kirana - Pamali: Dukun Pocong etc) and her friend Rabin (Sultan Hamonangan) were just playing around after school. Unfortunately, they were kidnapped by a stranger later on revealed to be Jack (Alex Abbad - My Stupid Boss, Jatuh Cinta Seperti di Film-film etc).

Alana had to use all her wits and kept her voice down to escape the house where they were placed in before Rabin was taken away by Jack's partner (Marsha Timothy - Kembang Api, Qodrat etc).

24 Jam Bersama Gaspar - Not the Kind of Gritty Entertaining Movie for Casual Audience

Once again another new Indonesian movie was shown on Netflix which was never released in the cinemas. With a famous actor as the lead cast, I was obviously interested in watching it. So when it was available yesterday, I immediately gave it a try. OK, I will get on the movie now.

Brief Story Line (warning possible spoiler)

Story was set few decades in the future with a large gap between rich and poor and the impoverished had to live for scraps. Gaspar (Reza Rahadian - Berbalas Kejam, Benyamin Biang Kerok etc) was a detective who had been trying to locate his missing childhood friend for years. His investigation led him to Mrs. Yati (Dewi Irawan - Tabula Rasa, Sang Penari etc) and later a gold store owner named Wan Ali (Iswadi Pratama). Gaspar was also obsessed in a mysterious black box which happened to be inside Wan Ali's store. 

Sleep Call - Not Bad for a Psychological Thriller Even Though it Might be a bit Predictable

When this movie was released a week ago on Prime Video, I was still continuing other series and also busy with other matters. Last night I finally made up my mind to watch it as I was intrigued with the premise. So here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Dina (Laura Basuki - Berbalas Kejam, The Returning etc) was a young woman caught in the debt trap after having to finance the medication of her mother (Jenny Zhang - Sri Asih, Bidadari Mencari Sayap etc). She had no choice but to work with the online loan company where she owed to, under the supervision of Bayu (Kristo Immanuel - The Big 4 etc) and their boss Tommy (Bront Palarae - Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion, My Stupid Boss etc). Dina also work with other colleagues including her best friend Bella (Della Dartyan - The Day Before the Wedding etc).

13 Bom di Jakarta - An Indonesian Film with Some High Quality Action Sadly Downgraded by Poor Acting of Majority of the Cast

With so many publicity about this Indonesian movie in the past few weeks, I was obviously intrigued to see if it lived up to the hype. It was released yesterday in all cinema chains with the studio near my home as one of them, so it was convenient for me and my wife to go. All right then, I'll just get right on it.

Brief Story Line

When Jakarta was rocked by a terror attack in the middle of the day by a group led by the mysterious Arok (Rio Dewanto - Foxtrot Six etc), the Indonesian intelligence agency (ICTA) was in disarray as they were caught off guard. Arok later sent video threatening to blow 13 bombs they have planted in Jakarta. The ICTA head Damaskus (Rukman Rosadi - Srimulat: Hil yang Mustahal - Babak Pertama etc) instructed his team leader Karin (Putri Ayudya - Mudik etc) to investigate immediately, although she was heavily doubted by the tactical team leader Emil (Ganindra Bimo - Kamu Tidak Sendiri etc). 

Virgo and the Sparklings - A Very Light Drama of Teenage with Powers & Fresh Addition to the BCU

When this movie was released last March, my wife and I did not got the chance to see it since it did not play in many theaters including the one near our home. In just few days time, there were even fewer studios that showed the movie. So I decided to just wait till it's available via online streaming. Few days ago, the film was finally released on Disney+ which gave me the chance to watch it easily. OK, I'll get right to it then.

Brief Story Line

Riani (Adhisty Zara - Dua Garis Biru, Keluarga Cemara etc) was a high school girl who had unique power of creating fire which always got her into trouble. After the latest incident, Riani had to move to a new school in Bandung where she easily hit it off with Monica (Ashira Zamita - Cinta Fitri TV series etc), Ussy (Satine Zaneta) and Sasmi (Rebecca Klopper - Pelukis Hantu etc). They later formed a group band called Virgo and the Sparklings and wanted to join a National competition to become famous like their idol, Scorpion Sisters led by Carmine (Mawar de Jongh - Para Betina Pengikut Iblis etc).

(2023) Kembang Api - A Drama Movie with Heavy Topic Combined with Interesting Time-Loop Element

When this movie was released in Indonesian theaters few months ago, I was quite intrigued but did not really put my mind to see it. And it did not help when there were only few studios showing the movie and was taken down after just few days. Anyway it's a good thing that Netflix pick it up and I am able to watch it easily from the comfort of my home. OK, let's get to it then.

Brief Story Line

Four people who met online gathered in one place to do group suicide by using a large bomb made out of fireworks. They consisted of the man who created the bomb and used pseudonym of Langit Mendung/Cloudy Sky (Donny Damara - The Big 4, Rentang Kisah etc), another man who called himself Anggrek Hitam/Black Orchid (Ringgo Agus Rachman - Jomblo, Keluarga Cemara etc), a woman who used pseudonym Tengkorak Putih/White Skull (Marsha Timothy - Marlina Si Pembunuh dalam 4 Babak, Noktah Merah Perkawinan etc) and a high school student named Anggun (Hanggini - Geez & Ann, Para Betina Pengikut Iblis etc).

Berbalas Kejam - A Dark Thriller Drama with Quality Performance from Reza Rahadian

I have been meaning to watch this movie after it was released on Prime Video last week, but due to various reasons, I only managed to do so last night. I was intrigued by the premise, even though it might have been a bit too detailed explained in the synopsis. Anyway, I will get right to it now.

Brief Story Line

Adam (Reza Rahadian - Sri Asih, Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas etc) was a successful architect who suffered traumatic event when he witnessed his own family murdered two years earlier. As he was still caught up in the incident and unable to perform his work, Adam was suggested to see the psychiatrist Dr. Amanda (Laura Basuki - Cek Toko Sebelah 2, Susi Susanti: Love All etc).

Kamu Tidak Sendiri - Only Adinia Wirasti Performance that was the Highlight in this Drama Thriller

I remember seeing this movie's poster in Indonesian cinemas some time ago but I think it failed to make real impact back then, which resulted to lack of hype surrounding it and only played for little while. However, as it is now available on Netflix (I think released 2 days ago), I got the chance to watch it easily. So I decided to give it a try last night as the premise seemed interesting enough.

Brief Story Line

Mira (Adinia Wirasti - Susah Sinyal, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? etc) was an ambitious woman who always worked late hours to achieve her target. One night as Mira was leaving the office building, a man later on revealed to be Mika (Ganindra Bimo - Keluarga tak Kasat Mata, Jakarta vs Everybody etc) who also worked at the same floor, went inside the elevator with her. Mira was feeling really uncomfortable in the same tight place with Mika who tried to make conversations. 

Cek Toko Sebelah 2 - A Drama Heavy Sequel on One of the Most Entertaining Drama Comedy Movie from Ernest Prakasa

When my wife and I were aware there would be a sequel to one of our favorite drama comedy movie Cek Toko Sebelah, we decided that we would see this movie in the cinemas. As we were busy on its release day and the following day, we only got the chance to see it yesterday afternoon. OK, here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Erwin (Ernest Prakasa - Susah Sinyal, Teka Teki Tika etc) and Natalie (Laura Basuki - The Returning, Susi Susanti: Love All etc) who had been in relationship for 2 years, decided to bring it to the next level. Unfortunately, Natalie's mom Agnes (Maya Hasan - Dear Nathan: Thank You Salma etc) who was very protective of her and very authoritative, was against Erwin's plan to work in Singapore. The vast wealth and social gap between Natalie and his own family certainly did not help Erwin with his confidence.

The Big 4 - An Action Comedy with Some Good Enough Action though its Humor Might be More of an Acquired Taste

I was not aware about this movie till few days ago when I looked at the Coming This Week section in Netflix and when I saw the brief info, I was quite intrigued. So once it was released yesterday, I watched it last night at the first chance. Well here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Topan (Abimana Aryasatya - Gundala, Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss Part 1 etc), Jenggo (Arie Kriting - Susah Sinyal, Stip dan Pensil etc), Alpha (Lutesha - Penyalin Cahaya etc) and Pelor (Kristo Immanuel) were part of assassins crew infamously known as The Big 4. They were led by Petrus (Budi Ros) who had brought them together since their childhood.