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  • The Tale Continues in Wicked: For Good

    After the huge success of last year’s prequel, Glinda and Elphaba are back, bringing all the fun, drama, tears, and the friendship we love in ‘Wicked: For Good’, now playing in theaters. So what kind of magic are they stirring up this time?

    Wicked: For Good official poster (instagram.com/wickedmovie)

    Elphaba’s tragic fate?

    In the first movie, we watched the lovely bond between Glinda (Ariana Grande) a gorgeous, wildly popular witch with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) a witch with a dark past and a look that set her apart from everyone else. Elphaba had spent her whole life feeling like an outcast and useless. However, Glinda showed her that the world could actually be full of joy.

    ”Their friendship then became something warm and genuine… right up until Elphaba was possessed and turned into the Wicked Witch.”

    By the end of the prequel, we were all left wondering what would happen to Elphaba, now seen as the story’s main villain. Would she end up fighting Glinda and terrorizing the city? Or would she somehow return to the Elphaba everyone once knew? 

    ‘Wicked: For Good’ finally gives us the answers, laying out their story with real depth, magic, and emotion.

    Huge enthusiasm from all over the world

    The arrival of ‘Wicked: For Good’ has been eagerly anticipated by fans all around the world. And it’s easy to see why: the prequel pulled in more than $758.7 million (around Rp11.8 trillion) globally. Beyond its massive box-office success, Wicked franchise also became the highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical in history.

    Now, we finally get to follow Glinda and Elphaba’s adventure back on the big screen. ‘Wicked: For Good’ officially hits Indonesian theaters starting November 21, 2025.

    Ready to hear Ariana Grande’s magical vocals again?

    Read more: Why ‘The Elixir'(Abadi Nan Jaya) Feels Like a Fresh Apocalypse

  • Why ‘The Elixir'(Abadi Nan Jaya) Feels Like a Fresh Apocalypse

    Zombie-apocalypse theme films often feel very predictable. From the outbreak, the scientists’ warnings, to the inevitable spread that brings about the end of the world. But does The Elixir offer something different?

    ‘The Elixir’ (Abadi Nan Jaya) first look (YouTube.com/Netflix)

    Finally, not a metropolitan sights

    Cities with tall buildings and advanced technology are often the backdrop of zombie films. In The Elixir, we won’t see that (at least for most of the time), because the film is set in a village called Wanirejo. This village still appears lush, with stretching rice fields and friendly, close-knit residents.

    Yet beneath this peaceful setting lurks an ambition that could threaten the world. Sadimin, a middle-aged owner of a failing herbal-medicine factory, clings to his old-fashioned ways and refuses to let the place go. One day, he drinks one of his own concoctions, and suddenly looks younger!

    ”In fact, the liquid turns out to have side effects that make its users instantly lose control, become feral creatures, and take the life of anyone in front of their eyes.”

    Huge step for Indonesia?

    Netflix announced this project in 2024 and entrusted Indonesian director Kimo Stamboel to lead the production. Most of the main cast are well-known Indonesian actors, such as Dimas Anggara, Mikha Tambayong, Donny Damara, Marthinus Lio, etc. This combination of Indonesian talent with international-style production has earned much appreciation.

    After its global release on October 23, 2025, on Netflix, The Elixir reached the number 1 spot in the top movies. This reflects a significant rise in Indonesian cinema, through competition with abroad blockbuster films. It will be interesting to see whether another zombie-apocalypse masterpiece will emerge from the country in the future.

    ”In addition, ‘The Elixir’ also serves as a window for the international audience to see the beauty of Java, such as the landscape, social culture, and the way their people view the world.”

    Read more: No More Haunted House in Agak Laen 2: Menyala Pantiku

  • No More Haunted House in Agak Laen 2: Menyala Pantiku

    We will see Indra Jegel, Oki Rengga, Boris Bokir, and Bene Dion return in this sequel of ‘Agak Laen’. The quartet is ready to make a splash after the huge success of the first movie. But are they stepping into a haunted house once again?

    Agak Laen 2 first look (YouTube.com/Imajinari)

    Different plot and characters

    After reached 9 million viewers for the prequel, ‘Agak Laen’ franchise will return to theaters soon. However, director Muhadkly Acho has prepared plenty of new things. Of course, the original quartet will still be part of the story, but they’ll be playing new characters.

    In this sequel, they are no longer working as nighttime ride attendants. Bene, Boris, Jegel, and Oki are now detectives involved in a mission. The catch? they keep failing at their job.

    ”Until one day, the four detectives are finally given one more chance. Surely, there will be a lot of laughter from these detectives who are supposed to be extremely serious, right?”

    High expectations

    Any successful movie is likely to generate high expectations for its sequel. Like Warkop DKI Reborn, Dilan, and others. Since the main reason is emotional attachment and also opens up new possibilities for “what happens next.”

    However, few sequels didn’t live up to its expectations, as tend to experience drop in viewership. Not sure if there’s any thing such ‘viewers fatigue’ for movies though.

    Meanwhile, the ‘Agak Laen’ production team does not seem burdened by that risk. Under the guidance of experienced like Ernest Prakasa and Muhadkly Acho, the teams move forward with high confidence.

    ‘Agak Laen 2’ release date

    ‘Agak Laen 2’ will be released on November 27, 2025, in theaters across Indonesia. Are you ready to catch up with Jegel, Oki, Boris, and Bene’s new adventure?”

    Read more: One Last Time: Stranger Things 5 Release Details Revealed

  • One Last Time: Stranger Things 5 Release Details Revealed

    Three years after the release of season four, Stranger Things has finally reignited fans’ excitement. Netflix has officially announced season five, along with more details about Eleven and her friends’ adventures. Are you ready to return and see the fate of Hawkins?

    Stranger Things 5 first look (YouTube.com/Netflix and Stranger Things)

    Same familiar names

    The upcoming American science fiction horror series will consist of eight episodes. Intriguingly, the fifth season will be released in three parts. It is bringing the same vibes like season 4 episodes launch format.

    We will see the legendary casts back in action such as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) and more. Besides that, the strength of the plot is predicted to remain high with The Ruffo Brothers continuing as producers. We can smell the hype already.

    One last time for Hawkins

    Stranger Things 5 premise will center on Mike and company’s struggle to solve the mystery behind Hawkins and the Upside Down. Because everything was still left unsaid at the end of season 4 when Vecna opened the portal. Vecna actually was the series main villain and a monster with similar abilities as Eleven.

    In the previous season, the Hawkins gang tried to uncover Vecna’s identity. Meanwhile, Eleven worked with Dr. Owens (Paul Reiser) and Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine) to try to find answers about her powers, which were influenced by her past. Now, in season five, every answer and final battle against Vecna will be very much up for grabs.

    ”As described on Netflix’s official website: The fifth season is all about kill-and-demolish-Vecna kind of mission.”

    Release date

    Stranger Things 5 teaser trailer was released to the internet on July 16, 2025. Three months later, Netflix announced the official trailer that dropped on October 30, 2025. You can see how excited fans are from the 2 minute and 35-second trailer, which has been watched 14 million times on YouTube so far.

    ”Stranger Things 5 is set to release in three parts: Vol. 1 on November 26, 2025, Vol. 2 on December 25, 2025 and the series finale on December 31, 2025.”

    Read more: Reza Rahadian’s Feature Directoral Debut ‘Pangku’

  • ‘Keluarga Super Irit’ Teaches Us the Meaning of Frugal Living

    Another movie for your late October pleasure is Keluarga Super Irit (The Super Thrifty Family). This movie shares the ups and downs of living a frugal life. You wouldn’t believe how frugal this family is!

    Keluarga Super Irit (YouTube.com/Falcon)

    Different person, different level of thrifty

    The plot centered on a family known for being extremely thrifty in all things. The father, who is a manager, had a thriftiness level of 75%. His salary was decent, but we could see his funny antics such taking used coffee from the trash can.

    Or we can just look at the mom, who’s at maximum level of thrifty. She’s really hated by the market vendors because her offers are quite unreasonable. Besides the market vendors, she is also hated by the subdistrict employees!

    Both have three children who are still young and in school. However, their children are not as frugal as their parents. They just simply follow the values of their mother and father.

    ”Sometimes, they even protest their parents actions for being too frugal. Sounds funny, but it really happened throughout the movie.”

    Real-life families, not just a cast

    Problems then came when the father’s salary was cut. On top of that, there was another issue that forced them to leave their current home-sweet-home. This eventually leads the family to find a way to survive with the principles they hold dear.

    Beyond comedy, several scenes in the movie also show the depressing parts. It seems that the connection between the main cast whose also a real-life families connected perfectly. They carried the storyline well, transitioning smoothly between comedy and drama.

    ”The moral of this story is , there is a special value and blessing in their frugality. And, the only ones who can understand a family are the family members themselves.”

    This Korean-adapted Yim Chang-Ho comic movie can be watched via Netflix. Currently, ‘Keluarga Super Irit’ is ranked number 1 movies in Indonesia. So, are you curious to see their silly frugal actions?

    Read more: Upcoming Korean Movie ”Good News” Premieres on Netflix October 17