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Netflix is doubling down on Southeast Asian genre content with two zombie horror films that promise to reinvent the subgenre with distinctive local flavors, the company revealed during the ongoing Apac film showcase in Tokyo.

Malobika Banerji, senior director of content for Southeast Asia at Netflix, unveiled first looks at “The Elixir” from Indonesia and “Ziam” from Thailand, both slated for 2025 releases.

“The Elixir,” directed by acclaimed Indonesian horror auteur Kimo Stamboel, centers on a fractured family fighting to escape a zombie outbreak triggered by a traditional Javanese herbal elixir. The film stars Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, and Donny Damara, with Stamboel bringing his signature immaculate visual style and penchant for gore to the project.

Stamboel comes with horror credentials, including his work as part of The Mo Brothers directing duo and his recent box office success “Dancing Village: The Curse Begins,” which attracted over four million theatrical viewers.

For “Ziam,...

Netflix has revealed its slate of original series and films from Thailand and Indonesia set to premiere throughout 2025, as the streaming service continues to invest in Southeast Asian content at a time when “the competition is pulling back,” according to Minyoung Kim, VP of Netflix Content.

The Thai slate features nine titles, following what Kim describes as “eight groundbreaking local productions that captivated audiences across Thailand and beyond” in 2024. The Thai lineup kicks off with “Dalah: Death and the Flowers” on Feb. 27, a high-society murder mystery starring Urassaya Sperbund. The series, helmed by directors Thanika Jenjesda and Alisa Pien, follows a mysterious floral designer who becomes entangled in the suspicious murder of a prime minister candidate on the eve of his wedding, with executive producer Prabda Yoon overseeing the production.

Genre offerings feature prominently in the Thai slate, including “Ziam,” a zombie action thriller directed by Kulp Kaljareuk, starring Prin Suparat...

Continuing its run of slate launches globally, Netflix unveiled new Indonesian originals premiering on its platform this year.

The streamer is working on its first collaboration with director and comedian Ernest Prakasa, titled The Actor (Lupa Daratan). The comedy-drama film is about an egocentric actor who is on the cusp of landing the lead role in a prestige biopic, but suddenly finds himself stripped of his acting abilities. The film stars Vino G. Bastian, Agus Kuncoro and Dea Panendra.

Netflix will also launch its first zombie film from Indonesia, The Elixir, from accomplished horror director Kimo Stamboel. Previously announced with the working title of Abadi Nan Jaya, the film tells the story of a potion that ends up triggering a zombie outbreak due to the ambition of a herbal medicine company’s owner. The Elixir stars Donny Damara, Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Dimas Anggara, Kiki Narendra and Marthino Lio.

The...

Despite heavy drizzle since the afternoon, it did not lessen the enthusiasm of thousands of people gathered at Empire Xxi Jogja for the opening night of the 19th Jogja-netpac Asian Film Festival (Jaff) on November 30, 2024. Among the attendees were filmmakers Yandy Laurens, Sidharta Tata, Tumpal Tampubolon, Timo Tjahjanto, also Dian Sastrowardoyo, Sheila Dara, Hannah Al Rashid, and Eva Celia. All appeared excited to kick off the festive Jaff, Indonesia’s biggest and longest-running international film festival.

This year, Jaff carries the theme “Metanoia” signifying the ongoing transformation of Asian cinema in achieving excellence amidst various global challenges. Aligning with the theme, Garin Nugroho, Founder of Jaff, shared in his opening remarks, “Tonight is a special night, not just for us at Jaff, but also for the entire community of Jogja,” he stated. “Your presence and togetherness are the biggest form of support for festivals like Jaff. Trust, togetherness and collaboration...

The 19th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (Jaff) kicked off over the weekend at Empire Xxi Jogja, drawing thousands of attendees despite persistent rain.

The event, which stands as Indonesia’s longest-running international film festival, gathered notable Indonesian film figures including directors Yandy Laurens, Sidharta Tata, Tumpal Tampubolon, and Timo Tjahjanto, alongside actors Dian Sastrowardoyo, Sheila Dara, Hannah Al Rashid, and Eva Celia.

Operating under the theme “Metanoia,” this year’s edition focuses on Asian cinema’s transformation amid global challenges. Jaff founder, filmmaker Garin Nugroho, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of community support. “Trust, togetherness and collaboration are the key elements to building a thriving film ecosystem, whether in Indonesia, Asia and even the world,” he said.

Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Dr. Fadli Zon, highlighted Indonesian filmmakers’ global achievements and pledged support for the industry’s growth, particularly in international distribution. The minister called for collaborative efforts to...

Two new zombie films – Kimo Stamboel’s Abadi Nan Jaya from Indonesia and Carlo Ledesma’s Outside from the Philippines – were among the new titles spotlighted at Netflix’s first showcase dedicated to Southeast Asia.

Abadi Nan Jaya is Netflix’s first Indonesian zombie title and the latest film directed by Indonesia’s horror master Kimo (Dancing Village: The Curse Begins) and produced by Edwin Nazir, marking their first collaboration with the streamer. It is currently in production near Yogyakarta in Central Java, with a global premiere due in 2025.

Abadi Nan Jaya is a working title that can be translated...

In less than a decade, Netflix has become a production powerhouse in South East Asia, and that fact was reinforced at a showcase the streamer held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta last week, where it showed off its latest batch of original local films and series.

Through aggressive and consistent investment in producing originals, Netflix has gained a market leading position in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, and these three countries were the focus of the showcase on June 13. Among the slew of announcements, trailers, first-look stills and clips, Netflix unfurled news on not one, but two zombie projects, a period sex comedy, Thai sci-fi, more horror and action from Indonesia, and a serial killer thriller that could find a global audience.

Read on for details on the biggest Sea titles that Netflix showcased.

Kimo Stamboel on the set of ‘Abadi Nan Jaya’

Abadi Nan Jaya (working title) (Indonesia)

Perhaps...