When it comes to food for thought, series like Black Mirror and Love, Death, and Robots served us with a plate of possibilities, melding technology and fiction into thought provoking stories. Who would’ve thought that we would also have a Southeast Asian version with Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams to add to this roster of scifi TV show anthologies?
Known for directing in a wide range of genres from noir to psychological thrillers to action, Joko Anwar has always been at the forefront of Indonesian film, highlighting various stories and elements found uniquely here in Asia.
In this High Five review, we’ll look into Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams to see what makes it unique compared to its contemporaries. Spoilers ahead
Asian Values and Themes
Experiences are subjective, but when it comes to general values and traditions, each community has its own predominant set of beliefs and experiences. The series understands this and tackles it by showing how communities come together to face trials and tribulations.
Episodes tackle serious issues such as the relationship between parents and children, disabilities, religion, morality, grief, and other themes, from an inherently Asian angle, with no easy answers, but only more difficult questions. Deep-seated familial traumas are unearthed, people perpetuate scams without regard for the safety of others, generational divide causes strife among community members—all of these are general conflicts that the series tackles through an Asian, and specifically an Indonesian lens, and it makes it all the more interesting to watch these themes in a more local context, showing just how different and the same people are all over the world.
Effective Use of Chekov’s Gun
If you don’t know what Chekov’s gun is, it’s the storytelling principle where a seemingly unimportant element is introduced to a story that will later become significant. In Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams, Chekov’s gun is used to show that the whole anthology is actually connected. This is exactly what sets it apart from the likes of Black Mirror and Love, Death, and Robots. All three shows tackle various problems and myths society has that are exacerbated by technology, but Nightmares and Daydreams makes sure to add a narrative throughline that ties all the episodes together, showing that all of society’s mores and conflicts are connected.
From the crumbs of the creature in episode one, to the mystical element of episode three—all of these mysterious elements introduced seemed random at first, but by episode seven, we find out the reason behind them: that there are creatures from down below wanting to rise to the surface and enslave humanity. This twist is executed so well that it feels natural to the story, and by that point, you can’t wait to see how it all ends.
Superb Practical and Special Effects
Nightmares and Daydreams is a science fiction piece after all, hence why the visuals matter more than other genres. By using a mixture of practical and special effects, the series was able to achieve memorable shots that stay with the audience long after the episode ends.
The crew also shot on location in Jakarta and Cirebon, Indonesia, to add to the authenticity of crowd and public scenes. In one inspired and extreme instance of using practical effects, the crew burned down a mansion for episode one, while adding special effects through the use of compositing to show the clock tower breaking down and characters almost falling off the ledge. Through the episodes, you see an incredible mix of effects that keeps pulling you in.
The Benefit of Anthology Formats
Making full use of the anthology format, each episode has no connection with one another aside from the overarching plot, which allows the series to explore multiple stories and themes, making for a varied viewing experience.
The point of view character for the first episode is a taxi driver with an ailing mother, the second episode focuses on a grieving couple who wish to adopt a new child, the third episode follows a writer who has an odd experience writing what is to become her most famous piece, and so on.
Each episode felt unique and human, following well-rounded characters with their own motivations, values, needs and wants, which makes the stand-alone stories stand out while leaving you with breadcrumbs to connect the dots of the mystery left behind in each episode.
A Star-Studded Indonesian Cast
We can’t forget to mention the hard working actors that starred in this sci-fi anthology. Anwar himself is already a hard hitter, but with household names like Asmara Abigail, Ario Bayu, Fachri Albar, Lukman Sardi, Marissa Anita, Nirina Zubir and more, the series really came to life within their capable hands.
Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams will take you on an unforgettable ride, exploring futuristic and dystopian landscapes, while encountering strange phenomena along the way. The series foregrounds Asian values, while making sure each episode is enjoyable and the overarching plot will keep viewers hooked.
SEA Wave gives the series a 3.5/5. Catch Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams on Netflix and let us know what you think!