The thriller “The Shadow Frontiers” from Indonesia is in eighth place in Netflix's top movies. A story of mystery and police tension.
It's the surprise hit of the weekend. Indonesian film The Shadow Frontier has climbed into the top 10 most-watched films on Netflix in France, reaching 8th place shortly after its release on August 1st. This performance is all the more remarkable as it is rare for a film from Indonesia.
What is The Shadow Frontier about?
Shadow Frontier is a thriller starring Putri Marino, Yoga Pratama and Lukman Sardi. The plot is set on the island of Borneo, on the border between Malaysia and Indonesia. A policewoman from Jakarta, Sanja (Putri Marino) is sent to investigate a heinous crime: two men have been decapitated.
Upon her arrival, she is poorly received, but her investigations lead her to the legend of Ambong, a spirit that inhabits the mist of the jungle. Little by little, the detective discovers an even more macabre and frightening reality.
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An atmospheric film
The film, directed by Edwin – Golden Leopard at Locarno in 2021 for Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash – is above all a thriller with a script that respects the codes of the genre, while taking the viewer on a journey to meet the indigenous Dayak community. It addresses heavy subjects such as human trafficking, without seeking to make a political denunciation.
What sets The Shadow Frontier apart is its ability to integrate elements of superstition and borderline reality, creating a fantastic atmosphere. With an immersion in the darkness and mysteries of the island of Borneo.
This is the recipe that was enough for The Shadow Frontier, a thriller that, without being revolutionary, manages to entertain and immerse the spectators in an oppressive and intriguing atmosphere. It is also a film that shows that Indonesian cinema can arouse the curiosity of an international audience.
The Shadow Frontier is currently available on Netflix.