Joni's Promise · reception & legacy
2005 · Joko Anwar
How Joni's Promise has been received, argued over, and remembered.
The arc
A hit rom-com in Indonesia in 2005, it's now watched mostly in reverse — cinephiles who found Joko Anwar through Satan's Slaves and Impetigore go back and discover his career started with a sunny love letter to going to the movies.
What's debated
The fun tension for fans is that Indonesia's master of horror debuted with a feel-good romantic comedy — and some Joko Anwar devotees will tell you it's still his most purely likeable film.
Its footprint
Its hero's job — running film reels between Jakarta cinemas so screenings don't stop — has made the film a nostalgic touchstone for the celluloid era, and it doubles as a time capsule of mid-2000s Jakarta packed with Indonesian celebrity cameos.
Where it stands
A cornerstone of the 2000s Indonesian film revival and a 'you must start here' pick for anyone working through Joko Anwar's filmography.