Highlighting our commitment to Southeast Asia and announcing new local titles, Netflix hosted the latest APAC Showcase on June 13 at the Fairmont Jakarta. The event spotlighted local creators from Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand, along with the Netflix content team sharing our investment in diverse storytelling from the region.

“We want to make sure that we bring locally authentic stories to our members in each of these countries. That’s why we have our teams on the ground, communicating with local creators on a day-to-day basis,” said Minyoung Kim, VP of Content (APAC ex-India). The event emphasized the variety, quality, and our authentically local slate in Southeast Asia, highlighting how great stories — whether by established or emerging creators — have the power to resonate deeply and reach millions of members worldwide.

Indonesia: A hub of creativity

In Indonesia, we’re broadening the variety of original storytelling with a range of genres, including Netflix’s first local foray into undead territory. We proudly announced the upcoming film Abadi Nan Jaya (WT), set to premiere in 2025, following a dysfunctional family navigating a zombie apocalypse within their traditional herbal medicine business.

We also highlighted our first supernatural science fiction series, Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams, with Joko Anwar in attendance at the APAC Showcase. “Netflix was the perfect partner to bring this story to life. They were supportive of our creative vision and provided valuable input to enhance the show,” series creator Joko Anwar said. “We led with local, relatable storylines but put a unique spin on it with the genre. I think everyone will have a different favorite episode — we’re excited to hear from the viewers which ones they’ll relate with the most.”

Rusli Eddy, Manager of Netflix Local Originals in Indonesia, shared an exclusive clip of Borderless Fog, a crime thriller set along the Indonesia-Malaysia border, directed by Edwin. In a fireside chat, Edwin discussed the intricate narrative and the unique challenges of filming along the actual border in challenging weather conditions. “I wanted to dispel misconceptions about life along the border and the people living there. With the investigative nature of this film, I believe the audience will be hooked and eager to find out what happens next,” he noted.

And when local talent goes global, it’s truly something to celebrate. Acclaimed Indonesian director Mouly Surya joined the APAC Showcase from Hollywood to discuss Trigger Warning, her upcoming action film starring Jessica Alba as a former Special Forces operative. Fresh off filming Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, Mouly embraced the opportunity to bring a thematically similar story to life in Hollywood. She hopes that her experience making an American film can transfer valuable learnings to the local film scene. “My dream is for the Indonesian government to invest more in film education so we can nurture more talent in the country,” Mouly added.

Thailand: Building up the slate

The spotlight shifted to Thailand with Sin Thongkongtoon, Director of Netflix Thailand Originals, introducing the country’s biggest titles including the recently released Doctor Climax, which tackles sometimes taboo topics.

Doctor Climax writer and director Kongdej Jaturanrasmee took the stage to share his hopes for what the story will achieve. “Although the series is set in the ‘70s, the themes remain relevant today,” he explained. “I hope this series sparks meaningful discussions and helps normalize sensitive topics.”

With ten original titles this year (up from six in 2023), Thailand shows no signs of slowing down and the audience was treated to an exclusive look at two upcoming Thai series: Terror Tuesday: Extreme, a collection of horror stories, and Tomorrow & I, a sci-fi anthology series exploring the future intersection of technology within Thai culture.

To uphold the high caliber of local content and nurture emerging voices, Netflix Thailand launched the Reel Life Film Camp in 2023. Designed for aspiring filmmakers, this program offers opportunities to underrepresented youth and creates jobs within the industry, which will continue with its second run this year.

Philippines: Rising powerhouse

Turning to the Philippines, we announced the upcoming film Outside, written and directed by local creator Carlo Ledesma. Set to premiere on October 11, this psychological thriller follows a family seeking shelter during a zombie outbreak. This marks a significant step as the Philippines continues expanding its slate to go beyond local licensed titles and ramp up investments in originals.

In a moderated discussion with Vitto Lazatin, Manager of Content Acquisition in the Philippines, Carlo was asked what he felt the scariest part of the movie was. “More than anything, Outside is a story about family,” he said, revealing that this film was his most personal project yet. “It explores how a family could fall apart, and it played out my worst fears as a father.”

From spine-chilling horror and crime thrillers, to sci-fi anthologies and complex family dynamics, Netflix’s wide variety of upcoming titles from SEA continue to champion local stories and deliver local perspectives to audiences around the world.

“Our creators can prioritize delivering the stories they’re best equipped to tell and are most passionate about,” said Kim. “But it is on Netflix to make sure that those stories reach audiences not only within their home countries but also beyond domestic markets, enabling audiences around the world to discover the stories that they will love.”

Stay tuned for these exciting releases and the best of Southeast Asian storytelling, only on Netflix.

New title information

Abadi Nan Jaya (WT), (Indonesia)
Premiere Date: Coming in 2025
Synopsis: A dysfunctional family find themselves at the epicenter of a horrifying zombie outbreak in a village in Indonesia.
Format: Film
Cast: Eva Celia, Mikha Tambayong, Donny Damara, Marthino Lio, Dimas Anggara
Directed by: Kimo Stamboel
Written by: Agasyah Karim, Khalid Kashogi, Kimo Stamboel

Outside (Philippines)
Premiere Date: October 11, 2024
Synopsis: Set in a remote Philippine farm, Outside is the story of a family that takes refuge in their ancestral home to escape an outbreak that turns the infected into “The Dead Ones”. Despite being haunted by traumatic childhood memories in the house he grew up in, Francis manages to fortify the house and keep his wife Iris and two sons safe inside. As the outside threats from the Dead Ones increase, it is Francis’ increasingly unhinged behavior that proves to be the real danger. Suddenly, their refuge becomes a prison and Iris will be forced to make a horrific choice that will change their lives forever.
Format: Film
Cast: Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez, Joel Torre
Directed by: Carlo Ledesma

Titles highlighted at APAC Showcase
Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams (Indonesia)
Premiere Date: June 14, 2024
Synopsis: Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams chronicles the journey of a group of ordinary people trying to save humanity from those who wish to take over the world. The story is told across seven episodes, each spotlighting a key character dealing with extraordinary events that span from 1985 to 2022. While seemingly random, these peculiar incidents are interconnected, offering insights into the origins of our world and the looming threats to humanity.
Format: Series (7 episodes)
Cast: Ario Bayu, Fachri Albar, Asmara Abigail, Marissa Anita, Lukman Sardi, Nirina Zubir, Yoga Pratama, Sita Nursanti, Sal Priadi, Faradina Mufti, Ayu Laksmi
Directed by: Joko Anwar, Ray Pakpahan, Randolph Zaini, Tommy Dewo

Borderless Fog (Indonesia)
Premiere Date: Coming in 2024
Synopsis: Detective Sanja has been assigned to investigate serial murder cases along the Indonesia – Malaysia border. But to solve the case, she must confront the ghosts of her past and open a Pandora’s box that will expose society’s deeply buried secrets.
Format: Film
Cast: Putri Marino, Yoga Pratama, Lukman Sardi
Directed by: Edwin
Written by: Ifan Ismail & Edwin

The Shadow Strays (Indonesia)
Premiere Date: Coming in 2024
Synopsis: Codenamed 13, a 17-year-old trained assassin is currently suspended due to a sloppy mission in Japan. Meeting Monji, an 11-year-old boy who lost his mother to a crime syndicate, awakened her conscience. When Monji is captured, 13 is hell-bent on rescuing him, setting off a path of destruction and defying her mentor and the organization that hires her, known as the Shadow.
Format: Film
Cast: Aurora Ribero, Hanna Malasan, Kristo Immanuel, Adipati Dolken
Directed by: Timo Tjahjanto
Written by: Timo Tjahjanto

Doctor Climax (Thailand)
Premiere Date: June 13, 2024
Synopsis: In the late ‘70s when sex talk is still taboo, the life of a straitlaced skin doctor and specialist is turned upside down when he starts moonlighting as a sex columnist under the pseudonym “Doctor Climax.”
Format: Series (8 Episodes)
Cast: Chantavit Dhanasevi, Arachaporn Pokinpakorn, Chermawee Suwanpanuchoke, Tonhon Tantivejakul, Chaiwat Thongsang
Written and directed by: Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and Pairach Khumwan
Creator: Ekachai Uekrongtham

Tomorrow and I (Thailand)
Premiere Date: Coming in 2024
Synopsis: This anthology series explores the intersection of futuristic technologies and Thai culture, and the unimaginable tensions and moral dilemmas that arise out of their inevitable conflict.
Format: Series (4 episodes)
Cast: Ray Macdonald, Aelm Thavornsiri, Pongsatorn Jongwilas, Pakorn Chatborirak, Waruntorn Paonil, Treechada Hongsyok, Violette Wautier, Chananticha Chaipa, Wanichaya Pornpanarittichai
Directed by: Paween Purijitpanya
Written by: Paween Purijitpanya, Pat Pataranutaporn, Jirawat Watthanakiatpanya, Abhichoke Chandrasen, Tossaphon Riantong Panuwat Inthawat Eakasit Thairaat

Trigger Warning (US)
Premiere Date: June 21, 2024
Synopsis: A skilled Special Forces commando takes ownership of her father’s bar after he suddenly dies, and soon finds herself at odds with a violent gang running rampant in her hometown.
Format: Film
Cast: Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Tone Bell, Jake Weary, Gabriel Basso and Anthony Michael Hall. Also starring Kaiwi Lyman, Hari Dhillon
Directed by: Mouly Surya
Written by: John Brancato & Josh Olson and Halley Gross