Good news once again comes from Indonesia's movie industry, as another talented figure has successfully made a mark in the Hollywood industry. He is Timo Tjahjanto, an acclaimed Indonesian filmmaker, who recently took the helm of the Hollywood action blockbuster "Nobody 2".
"Nobody 2" is an American action thriller starring Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, and other renowned actors. What makes this film even more special for Indonesian audiences is the fact that one of the key creative forces behind it is none other than Timo Tjahjanto, serving as the director.
Who is Timo Tjahjanto?
Timo’s full name is Timothy Tjahjanto. He was born on September 4, 1980, in Wilhelmshaven, West Germany. Although he was born in Germany, he was raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, before pursuing higher education at the School of Visual Arts in Sydney, Australia. Today, he is widely recognized as a director, producer, and writer specializing in action, thriller, and horror films.
His diverse cultural background has shaped his ability to blend different genre elements, appealing to both local and global audiences. This unique perspective allows him to create films that are universally engaging and resonate across various cultural backgrounds.
Career Journey
Before his name appeared on Hollywood marquees, Timo Tjahjanto began his career as a storyboard artist and a photographer. Combined with his academic background, these early experiences in visual storytelling helped him develop his distinct cinematic style.
In the late 2000s, Timo was part of The Mo Brothers with his fellow filmmaker Kimo Stamboel, whom he met during college in Australia. Their debut short film “Dara” (2007) laid the groundwork for their breakthrough feature “Macabre” (2009). The duo continued their creative partnership with critically acclaimed movies such as “Killers” (2014) and “Headshot” (2016), earning a nomination for Best Director at the 2016 Citra Awards.
Building on his growing reputation, Timo directed, produced, and wrote “The Night Comes for Us” (2018), which became the first Indonesian action film on Netflix. That same year, he also released the horror hit “May the Devil Take You” (2018), earning him the Best Director award at the 8th Maya Awards in 2019.
In 2024, he returned with “The Shadow Strays”, a film praised for its hyper-kinetic fight choreography and visceral realism. These elements also further caught Hollywood’s attention to work with him.
Hollywood Breakthrough with "Nobody 2"
His previous works paved the way for his U.S. feature debut with Nobody 2, which premiered on August 15, 2025. The film continues the adrenaline-fueled style that was seen in Timo’s earlier masterpieces and marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his position as an Indonesian filmmaker who has successfully stepped into Hollywood’s big leagues.
Reportedly, Timo received the Nobody 2 script while working on the post-production of “The Shadow Strays.” As a big fan of the original Nobody film, he was immediately drawn to the project when Hollywood sent him this opportunity.
Throughout the production process, Timo found his ideas warmly embraced by the crew. Whenever challenges arose, the team was ready to provide support and collaboration. Universal Pictures and 87North, producing partners of “Nobody 2,” gave him the creative freedom to fully express his vision. This allowed the film to achieve its highest potential while preserving Timo’s signature filmmaking style—resulting in a seamless blend of Hollywood spectacle and his distinctive Indonesian touch.
Timo Tjahjanto’s journey from Indonesia to Hollywood is a testament to his talent, dedication, and relentless passion for filmmaking. His creative vision not only brought pride to Indonesia but also inspired the next generation to dream beyond borders.
