Home Sweet Loan

This is the best Indonesian movie I've watched in early 2025 since its release on Netflix.

The storyline is simple yet unpredictable and strong. The actors' performances bring the movie to life, making it feel incredibly real.

A seemingly ordinary story, yet filled with deep meaning. Who doesn't dream of owning their own home? How many other Kaluna exist in the real world-forced to step aside for their married siblings? And how many children become the backbone of their families, sometimes even exploited to earn a living?

Indonesia needs more movies like this. More movies about reality, dreams, and family issue.

This movie will be liked by family audiences and also by the not so well off younger generation who have dreams of buying their own home and a clear obstacle in their path is low finance. Thought set in Indonesia in the suburbs of Jakarta the family problems shown could be true anywhere in the world. Hence a strong point in favour of the movie is the clear appeal of the universal storyline. Many in the audience will find the happenings shown in the movie resonating with their everyday life in a joint family with cramped claustrophobic dwellings, leaking roofs, lack of privacy and peace etc etc.

Our protagonist is Kaluna a young lady working in a 9 to 5 job who lives with her parents and siblings in a small house and dreams of buying her own house but her savings are not enough. Finally when she does get a home loan a, financial emergency at home upsets all her plans. She now is in a dilemma of sorts and torn between fulfilling desires or loyalty towards family. It is an emotional, authentic, relatable narrative with which the audience will easily connect and accept as reality. Much of the warmth and poignancy of the movie is due to competent direction of Sabrina Rochelle Kalangie . None of the scenes appear loud or melodramatic. Yunita Siregar has acted superbly as the young lady yearning for a space of her own. Her love for family comes out very effectively in all the scenes specially with father.

Home Sweet Loan is a touching and relatable Indonesian romantic/family drama that captures the spirit of Almira Bastari's bestselling novel. Director Sabrina Rochelle Kalangie expertly brings the story to life on screen, preserving its emotional richness in a refreshingly genuine manner.

The film centers on Kaluna, a young woman who becomes the pillar of her family as she faces various challenges and works towards a brighter future. Viewers are drawn into Kaluna's journey, feeling her struggles and cheering for her achievements. Widya Arifianti showed us that she's a real star in this role... she used to be a second unit crew member, a writer and an assistant director, but after this role she can be only a star that shines brightly!

Kalangie's direction shines, too - creating an authentic atmosphere that resonates with the audience. The film honestly depicts the challenges many young Indonesians encounter, such as the longing for a stable home and the pressure to set aside personal dreams.

The true strength of Home Sweet Loan lies in its ability to tackle complex themes through a straightforward yet impactful narrative. The film's pacing and structure keep viewers engaged, while the cast delivers strong performances that bring the characters to life.

In summary, Home Sweet Loan is a must-see for fans of the novel and anyone who enjoys heartfelt family dramas. Its exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for happiness will leave a lasting impact, making it a remarkable addition to Indonesian cinema in 2024. Highly recommended!

Hi guys, I just finished watching it on Netflix. And this is quite an interesting film for an Indonesian film.

Raising the issue of the sandwich generation. And I think this film successfully gives a picture or POV of people who are affected by the sandwich generation. But the story is very cliché in my opinion. But I don't like the pacing here, at the beginning it feels really long, then suddenly it's about to end.

The acting is really cool here, the audience can get the emotional delivery. But there are too many soundtracks here, it would be nice if they used orchestral scoring for example.

Well, it's enough for an Indonesian family drama film, I do feel that this film is really looking for its market. Oh and I think there are many potential shots that could be better.

One thing i regretted after finishing this movie on Netflix is why i didnt go see it in cinema.

Its really reflecting what we see everywhere in Indonesia. Sandwich gen, online loan shark victims, workers who only make above minimum pay but has a dream to live prosperly in very hectic and sometimes cruel Jakarta. This movie tells it as it is, as we all live it.

I didnt read the book but somehow i believe the director translated it to the movie well. Yunita as a lead actor deliver very well. She has become a regular 'mbak GA (General Affair)' we see in our office. The conflicts built well, again the same conflicts we see everyday. The mother and father might do better, but overall its a well-done movie about Jakarta everyday life. Heartwarming and one of the finest Indonesian movie 2024.