Film is one of the most popular entertainment mediums available. From fantasy epics like Lord of the Rings to science-fiction masterpieces like 2001: A Space Odyssey, movies have permeated our lives and become deeply ingrained in our culture.
In recent years, Indonesian movies have seen a surge in popularity, finding recognition not just in Indonesia but also worldwide. The following is a list of five popular Indonesian films.
1. The Raid (2011)
Starring Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, and Donny Alamsyah, this 2011 action thriller was written and directed by Gareth Evans. The story follows an Indonesian National Police tactical squad as they find themselves trapped in an apartment complex and forced to fight a drug lord's vicious thugs.
The film's success cannot be overstated; significant praise was given by critics, with Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian calling it an "uncompromisingly intense and simply brilliant martial arts action movie" that "puts western action movies to shame." In addition to a 2015 sequel, a remake is currently in the works, with Patrick Hughes of The Expendables 3 fame at the wheel.
2. Pengabdi Setan (2017)
Also known as Satan's Slaves, this was the highest-grossing Indonesian movie of 2017. The film centers on a poor family that receives a visit from their deceased mother.
It is a somewhat loose reimagining of Sisworo Gautama Putra's 1980 film of the same name. Starring Tara Basro and Bront Palarae, this horror flick was directed by Joko Anwar.
The movie grossed over $11 million in Indonesia alone and was well-regarded by international critics. In addition, it won 12 awards at the Indonesian Film Festival and Maya Awards.
It was released in 42 countries, including Malaysia, Japan, and the United States. A sequel, titled Satan's Slaves: Communion, was released in 2022.
3. Lovely Man (2011)
A controversial pick, perhaps; nonetheless, this tale of a reunion between a girl and her long-lost transgender father was released in 2011 to positive reception from both local and international critics as well as 9 wins and 16 nominations from various film awards.
Donny Damara's performance as the starring role was subjected to acclaim, with Elizabeth Kerr, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, calling the movie "Damara’s show" and praising his performance as a "sensitive, nuanced performance" that remained "compelling throughout."
4. The Big 4 (2022)
This action comedy film tells the story of a detective bent on solving her father's death who teams up with four former assassins. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto and featuring Abimana Aryasatya and Putri Marino, this Netflix exclusive saw massive success upon release, becoming the second most watched non-English film as well as Indonesia's top-ranked title on the platform during its first weekend.
5. Gundala (2019)
While it's certainly an attempt at imitating its immensely successful Marvel counterpart, Bumilangit Studio's shared universe is an intriguing project, and it starts off strongly with this first installment.
This 2019 adaptation of Harya Suraminata's comics is yet another of Joko Anwar's filmography, and it follows Abimana Aryasatya as Sancaka, a security guard endowed with lightning powers and his efforts to stop the crime boss Pengkor. Praise was given to the action sequences and visual effects, with Richard Kuipers of Variety calling it "an action-packed and emotionally satisfying adaptation."
