International Premiere | In Competition
Indonesia, 2025, 94’, Indonesian
Directed by: Teddy Soeria Atmadja
Screenplay: Teddy Soeria Atmadja
Cinematography (color): Vera Lestafa, ICS
Editing: Aline Jusria
Art Direction: Eros Eflin
Music: Ricky Lionardi
Producers: Chand Parwez Servia, Riza, Mithu Nisar
Cast: Angga Yunanda (Malik), Shenina Cinnamon (Alya)
Date of First Release in Territory: October 26th, 2025
Malik (Angga Yunanda) is jobless, drowning in debt, and has just learned that his wife, Alya (Shenina Cinnamon), is pregnant. When it seems things couldn’t get any worse, he suffers a flat tire in the pouring rain following a failed interview. The appearance of a stranger named Arief hints at a glimmer of hope, but inviting him home as a gesture of gratitude for the car ride proves to be a fateful mistake. The next morning, Arief is found dead, next to a pile of mysterious cash. What could trigger dopamine more? Both fear and excitement rush through the veins of the couple who find themselves in a complicated mess. Their morality is soon put to the test as they must juggle a corpse, billions of rupiah, aggressive debt collectors, and someone claiming ownership of the money. Is this their impending doomsday, or have they won the lottery?
It’s not a surprise that
Dopamine’s plot sounds familiar. Films like
No Country for Old Men (2007),
Dope (2015), and many others have also explored protagonists stumbling upon a fortune, oftentimes getting them entangled in a thread of danger and crimes. However,
Dopamine remains fresh and engaging despite the exhausted story due to its distinctive social commentary through the Indonesian lens. The premise is a realistic portrayal of current-day youths in Indonesia who are struggling against the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia. Financial struggles have led to the increasing popularity of “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services among the young. Malik struggles just to land an interview, and the couple is drowning in debt from borrowing too much money. Their situation and burdens feel authentic and relatable long before it all begins.
Once the story takes off, the film wastes no time spiraling into chaos. The rollercoaster turn of events and condensed runtime ensure viewers remain gripped, despite the familiarity of the plot. Visually and phonetically creating a claustrophobic and uneasy atmosphere,
Dopamine traps the characters – and the audience – in what is mostly a single space – the couple’s small house. It’s here where the couple finds the dead body and money, but it is also where they comfort each other, enjoy the newly found wealth, and get their lives threatened. The soundtrack especially plays a vital role in heightening or loosening the tension of their rapidly shifting circumstances.
Further grounding the film in realism is the lead cast. Acclaimed actors Angga Yunanda and Shenina Cinnamon, a real-life married couple, bring a palpable chemistry to the screen. While Malik and Alya’s relationship seems to be on the brink of shattering at first, they become closer than ever by overcoming endless ordeals. Both Yunanda and Cinnamon boast excellent performances that are emotionally charged and physically demanding. What makes us root for the couple despite some unethical choices the characters make is that their actions stem from their desperation to survive and their love for each other. Though the worlds we each find ourselves in may or may not be as dramatic as Malik and Alya’s, it’s hard not to root for characters in such a desperate situation. Yunanda and Cinnamon’s convincing performances make it easier to imagine ourselves in their shoes. In the end, we’re all struggling to survive, aren’t we?
Teddy Soeria Atmadja
Teddy Soeria Atmadja is an acclaimed Indonesian film director known for his minimalist, intimate storytelling and realistic portrayals of social issues. Born in Tokyo and educated in London, Soeriaatmadja debuted with the short film Culik (2001). He is most known for Lovely Man (2011), which travelled to multiple international festivals and garnered several awards. His work often explores deeply personal struggles and moral tensions, drawing inspiration from legendary directors like Ozu Yasujiro and Ingmar Bergman.
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
2005 – Banyu Biru
2006 – Ruang
2009 – Ruma Maida
2011 – Lovely Man
2013 – Something in the Way
2023 – Innocent Vengeance
2025 – Dopamine