The year 2025 has proven to be a significant one for the Indonesian film industry, particularly outside the usual drama and horror genres.
Following the surprise success of the animated feature Jumbo, which entered the ranks of the ten highest-grossing films in Indonesia, another unexpected milestone was achieved by a domestic action film.
Indonesia Action Movie Genre Gains Momentum in 2025
On Tuesday, 13 May 2025, Pengepungan di Bukit Duri, directed by Joko Anwar, officially became the highest-grossing Indonesian action film of all time.
The film surpassed the record held for over a decade by The Raid (2012), attracting 1,851,315 viewers on its 26th day of release, compared to The Raid‘s long-standing figure of 1.84 million viewers.
The success of Pengepungan di Bukit Duri is a significant moment for Indonesian action and thriller cinema, genres which historically have garnered less attention from local audiences.
It marks a shift in viewer preferences and suggests growing interest in diverse storytelling formats across the country.
A Landmark in Indonesia Action Movie
The film, co-produced by Come and See Pictures and the Hollywood studio Amazon MGM Studios, signals new possibilities for collaboration and production quality in Indonesian cinema.
Joko Anwar not only directed and wrote the film but also took on producing and editing roles, reaffirming his multifaceted contribution to the industry.
The movie reunites Anwar with trusted collaborators, including cinematographer Jaisal Tanjung and composer Aghi Narottama.
The cast features a mix of well-known Indonesian actors such as Morgan Oey, Hana Pritashita Malasan, Kiki Narendra, and Landung Simatupang, alongside emerging talents like Omara Esteghlal, Endy Arfian, Fatih Unru, and Satine Zaneta.
Beyond the box office, Pengepungan di Bukit Duri has spurred public dialogue on social issues, both online and offline.
The themes and narratives explored in the film have encouraged broader conversations that extend beyond entertainment, showing the potential for Indonesian action movies to also act as platforms for reflection and discourse.
11 Recommended Indonesian Action Films Worth Watching
For fans of thrillers, suspense, and fast-paced cinema, here are ten recommended Indonesian action films that showcase the evolution of the genre.
1. The Raid: Redemption (Best Indonesian Action Movies of All Time)
A groundbreaking Indonesia action movie that gained global acclaim, The Raid tells the story of a SWAT team sent to take down a crime boss in a high-rise building.
The mission quickly spirals into chaos as the officers are trapped and must fight their way through waves of armed criminals.
Praised for its relentless pacing and intense pencak silat fight choreography, the film introduced Indonesian martial arts cinema to a global audience and helped launch the careers of director Gareth Evans and actor Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, and Donny Alamsyah.
2. The Raid 2: Berandal (2014)
The sequel to The Raid, this film continues the journey of Rama, the heroic police officer. Tasked with infiltrating a major criminal organisation, Rama dives deeper into the underworld in an attempt to expose corruption within the force.
The sequel expands on the original with more elaborate set pieces, layered storytelling, hand-to-hand combat, and deeper emotional stakes.
3. 13 Bombs in Jakarta
This action thriller follows Captain Arya, a bomb squad leader, as he and his team work against time to neutralise a series of bombs placed across Jakarta.
The film highlights the high-stakes nature of bomb disposal, blending action with emotional and psychological tension as the team grapples with personal conflicts and the pressure of their duty.
4. The Night Comes For Us (2018)
Starring Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim, this violent and gripping thriller explores the story of a Triad enforcer who chooses to protect a young girl rather than follow orders, sparking a brutal internal war.
Premiering at Fantastic Fest and available on Netflix, the film combines dark narrative elements with stylised action sequences.
5. Gundala (2019)
An adaptation of the 1969 comic by Harya ‘Hasmi’ Suraminata, Gundala introduces audiences to Sancaka, a young man with the power to harness lightning, who grows up in the slums after being abandoned by his parents.
The film charts his transformation into a national superhero who battles injustice and corruption, led by the villainous Pengkor. This marks the beginning of a planned Indonesian superhero universe.
6. Wiro Sableng: Pendekar Kapak Maut Naga Geni 212 (2018)
Adapted from the popular novel series by Bastian Tito, this historical action-comedy set in 16th-century Indonesia follows Wiro Sableng, a spirited warrior sent to capture a former student-turned-villain.
Filled with humour, traditional martial arts, and mythical elements, the movie reflects local folklore and literary heritage.
7. The Big 4 (2022)
This Netflix action-comedy involves a disciplined detective who discovers his late father was the leader of a group of assassins.
When he becomes a target himself, he is forced to team up with his father’s former associates, four quirky hitmen, on a tropical island to uncover the truth and survive.
8. Sri Asih (2022)
Following Gundala, this film centres on Alana, a woman born during a volcanic eruption and adopted into wealth, who eventually discovers she is the reincarnation of the powerful superhero Sri Asih. Her journey explores themes of anger, power, and identity as she battles forces threatening national safety.
9. Hit & Run (2019)
A combination of action and comedy, this film follows Tegar, a reality TV police officer, who is paired with a con artist named Lio to capture a recently freed drug lord.
Their unlikely partnership leads to chaotic but entertaining misadventures, joined by characters such as singer Meisa and Jefri.
10. Foxtrot Six (2019)
Set in a dystopian future, Indonesia is suffering from climate collapse and economic breakdown. This film features a former marine named Angga who leads a team of rebels against a corrupt regime. The movie explores political themes through action-packed sequences, showcasing a high-concept vision of resistance.
11. Merantau
This Merantau movie can be said to be the beginning of Iko Uwais’ debut in the Indonesian action film industry. It tells the story of a silat swordsman from Minangkabau named Yuda who decides to migrate to the capital. Yuda inevitably has to leave his family and hometown.
When he arrives in Jakarta, Yuda meets sisters Adit and Astri, who turn out to be victims of human trafficking. As a result, at the headquarters of the illegal organisation, there is a fight between Yuda and the gangsters.
The top brass of the organisation is after Astri and tries to get the girl. Yuda, Astri, and Adit have to escape from the thugs who always terrorise them.
The Evolving Landscape of Indonesian Movie
These films demonstrate how the Indonesia action movie scene has grown more dynamic and diverse over the past decade. With the commercial success of Pengepungan di Bukit Duri, the genre has gained both local credibility and international recognition.
As directors, producers, and actors continue to experiment and collaborate with global studios, the future of Indonesian action and thrillers looks promising. These films are not only shaping entertainment trends in Southeast Asia but also introducing uniquely Indonesian narratives to wider audiences.
