Have you ever wondered about the origins of our world or the looming threats we might face? Joko Anwar’s ‘Nightmares and Daydreams’ plunges us into the surreal, blending ordinary lives with extraordinary phenomena. Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar crafts a horror anthology where seemingly separate stories connect, revealing a deeper, intertwined universe.
In the opening episode, we meet Panji, a taxi driver, and his mother, Ranti, who faces early dementia. As Panji navigates life and strange occurrences, the series teases a larger, sinister connection. This show promises to keep us on edge with its chilling narratives and thought-provoking twists. Stay tuned for episode-by-episode reviews as we unravel Anwar’s intricate tapestry of nightmares and daydreams.
Episode 1 opens in Jakarta, in 2015. Panji, a taxi driver, drops off a nurse at a shelter home for the elderly. Panji inquires about admitting his mother, Ranti, but is scolded for trying to abandon her. At home, Panji’s wife, Rara, reassures him they can manage Ranti’s care, but an incident with their son Hagi forces Panji to reconsider.
Determined, Panji takes Ranti to the shelter, where he meets Bambang, who warns him of the home’s sinister nature. Ranti mistakenly believes she is there to work, not stay. Her desperate pleas to go home fall on deaf ears as Panji leaves her behind. Haunted by guilt, Panji returns at night, only to uncover a horrifying secret: the shelter residents trade youth with a monstrous entity.
Panji witnesses Bambang’s life force being transferred to his mother, Kemala. Despite Nurse Siti’s warning about The Banished, Panji tries to rescue Ranti, only to face the chilling reality of the ritual. In a final act of defiance, Panji sets the creature ablaze, inadvertently causing Ranti’s death and burning the shelter down. The episode ends with a hand emerging from the ashes.
The first episode expertly weaves a tale of horror and remorse. The story’s strength lies in its ability to blend everyday struggles with supernatural terror, making Panji’s guilt and desperation palpable. The shelter home’s dark secret serves as a powerful metaphor for society’s treatment of the elderly, adding depth to the horror.
Joko Anwar’s direction shines through in the eerie atmosphere and unsettling imagery. The pace is steady, building suspense and dread effectively. Panji’s internal conflict and the sinister shelter home create a gripping narrative that keeps us on edge.
This episode sets a high bar, hinting at an intricate web of interconnected stories. Anwar’s knack for horror promises a series rich in both scares and substance. I’m excited to see how the story unfolds in the upcoming episodes, exploring the haunting themes of abandonment and redemption.
