20 Best Indonesian Movies Adapted from Novels
Movie ideas can come from various sources, including the best novels written by Indonesian authors. In the film industry, this process is known as "adaptation", which is turning a novel into an audiovisual or movie format.
Many filmmakers and production companies have brought novels to the silver screen, with various genres such as romance, comedy, mystery, thriller, and biography.
However, the process of adapting a novel story into a movie can sometimes cause some changes. Some production houses and directors choose to modify or compact existing storylines, often due to duration limitations or perceived difficulties in realizing them.
Today, the popularity of movie adaptations of novels has reached its peak, with many adaptations achieving tremendous success at the box office and receiving prestigious awards.
So, which Indonesian novel adaptations are must-watch movies? To satisfy your curiosity, you can find the recommended picks exclusively on Showpoiler.
1. Nana
Nana (2022), also known as Before, Now & Then, is a must-watch movie adaptation of a novel. Directed by Kamila Andini, the movie brings to life the first chapter of Ahda Imran's novel Jais Darga Namaku.
Set in the 1960s, the movie revolves around the life of Raden Nana Suhani (Happy Salma), a noblewoman from West Java. Nana had a husband and children in the past, but tragically, they lost their lives during the war in West Java.
Now, Nana is married to a noble and wealthy man named Darga (Arswendy Bening Swara). Despite yearning for a happy life, Nana soon discovers that her husband is nothing more than a nobleman.
Darga often hooked up with many women and even brought them home. One of them is Ino (Laura Basuki), who becomes Nana's close friend. Their friendship grows closer when Nana finds out that Ino also has the same aspirations for freedom.
The suffering that Nana initially experienced now turns into a shared dream. Nana and Ino both yearn for a future where they can break free from constraints and find happiness.
2. Sewu Dino
Sewu Dino (2023) is a gripping horror movie adapted from Simpleman's novel. The movie has generated a lot of excitement due to its chilling storyline. The movie uncovers an ancient and dangerous magical practice known as "Sewu Dino," which translates to "Thousand Days."
The Atmojo family, known for their wealth and influence, owns large assets on the island of Java. However, behind their big name, they are faced with a deadly witchcraft known as Sewu Dino.
This evil magic almost succeeded in wiping out the entire Atmojo family, leaving only Karsa Atmojo (played by Karina Nadila) and Della Atmojo (Gisellma Firmansyah) as survivors.
Karsa begins a quest to save her granddaughter's life before the thousandth day passes. A glimmer of hope appears when Karsa Atmojo meets Sri (Mikha Tambayong), a young woman who is able to cross the soul realm. Sri managed to find the whereabouts of Della who was kept in a mystical hut.
3. Jalan yang Jauh Jangan Lupa Pulang
"Jalan yang Jauh Jangan Lupa Pulang" (2023) is a sequel to the movie "Nanti Kita Cerita tentang Hari Ini" (2020). The movie still adapts the characters from Marcella FP's novel, but the screenplay was written by Angga Dwimas Sasongko and M. Irfan Ramli.
The story centers on Aurora (Sheila Dara Aisha) who is studying in London. However, living away from her parents does not make Aurora happy. She is trapped in an unhealthy romantic relationship with her boyfriend, Jem (Ganindra Bimo). As a result of this toxic relationship, Aurora's education is being affected.
In an attempt to move forward, Aurora decides to stay with her two closest friends, Honey (Lutesha) and Kit (Jerome Kurnia). Together, they begin a journey of self-discovery, learning to live independently and facing problems head-on.
Aurora's life takes a dramatic change when her father sends Angkasa (Rio Dewanto) and Awan (Rachel Amanda) to London. What challenges and struggles will Aurora face in this new chapter of her life?
4. Bismillah Kunikahi Suamimu
"Bismillah Kunikahi Suamimu" (2023) immediately drew attention for its exploration of polygamy. Are you curious about the story? Initially, Hanna (Mikha Tambayong) and Malik (Rizky Nazar) are in the bliss of their married life, especially since Hanna is pregnant with their first child.
However, their happiness was shattered when Hanna received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. The couple was devastated, as what should have been a happy time was now overshadowed by sadness.
One day, Hanna's obstetrician is replaced by a young doctor named Cathy (Syifa Hadju). It is revealed that Cathy used to be Malik's girlfriend, but their relationship ended due to differences in beliefs.
Witnessing the closeness between Cathy and Malik, Hanna hopes that Cathy will be willing to replace her if her surgery is unsuccessful. Will Cathy and Malik fulfill Hanna's last request after hearing it?
5. Gita Cinta dari SMA
Set in the 1980s, "Gita Cinta dari SMA" (2023) tells the story of Galih (Yesaya Abraham) and Ratna (Prilly Latuconsina), who meet in high school. Galih, a diligent student at his school, has a modest appearance and a shy personality. However, he has an extraordinary talent in literature, especially poetry.
One of Galih's poems captivated Ratna's heart, making her fall in love at first sight. Every day, Ratna loved to observe Galih from a distance. Eventually, Galih and Ratna decided to pursue a romantic relationship. However, their journey is far from smooth as they are opposed by Ratna's father (Dwi Sasono).
In Ratna's father's eyes, Galih, who comes from a modest family, is not suitable for his daughter. Therefore, Ratna's father constantly intimidates the young couple in various ways. Even worse, Ratna's father takes her to Jogja with the excuse of continuing her education at a prestigious university. The question is: Will Galih and Ratna really be separated by these circumstances?
6. KKN di Desa Penari
Undoubtedly, "KKN di Desa Penari" (2020) deserves recognition as an outstanding novel adaptation, achieving the prestigious achievement of being the most-watched movie of all time. Adapted from Simpleman's novel, the movie managed to captivate the audience with its thrilling narrative.
The film is about five students who take part in the KKN ("Kuliah Kerja Nyata") program in a remote village in Central Java, on the advice of Ayu's sister. Since they arrived in the village, Nur (Tissa Biani) and Widya (Adinda Thomas) felt some strange events. They hear the enchanting sound of gamelan and catch a glimpse of a beautiful dancer in the middle of the forest.
The supernatural disturbances become more frequent for Nur and Widya day by day. Widya has attracted the attention of the village ruler, who wants to make her a dawuh, a sacred entertainer for the lelembut (spirits). Meanwhile, Nur, who tries to protect Widya, becomes the target of a genie named Badarawuhi.
The situation gets out of control when Nur finds Ayu (Aghniny Haque) and Bima (Achmad Megantara) committing forbidden acts on the sacred stage. Even worse, it is revealed that Ayu and Bima are secretly in league with Badarawuhi.
7. The Twelve Stories of Glen Anggara
The Twelve Stories of Glen Anggara or "12 Cerita Glen Anggara" (2023) presents a heartfelt and moving storyline. This movie is a sequel to "Mariposa" (2020) and is an adaptation of a novel by Luluk HF with the same title.
This movie tells the story of the life of a young man named Glen Anggara (Junior Robert). Despite having graduated from high school, Glen is still in a state of confusion, unsure of his future path in life.
On one fateful day, Glen unexpectedly met Shena (Prilly Latuconsina), his senior in high school. Suddenly, Shena asked Glen to be her boyfriend, which made Glen surprised.
After learning that Shena suffers from kidney failure and her life is short, Glen decides to become Shena's boyfriend. He sees this as an opportunity to fulfill Shena's last wish, and considers it an act of charity.
One by one, Glen strives to fulfill Shena's wishes, and in the process, he gains valuable experiences and life lessons. Through this journey, Glen discovered his true aspirations for the future. Glen finally knows what he wants to do in the future and it's all thanks to Shena.
8. Seperti Balas Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Lunas
Did you know that the movie "Seperti Balas Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Lunas" (2021) was adapted from a novel? This highly popular movie takes its narrative from Eka Kurniawan's 2014 novel of the same name. Although the story is complicated, this movie contains many moral messages that we can get.
The movie revolves around the life of Ajo Kawir (Marthino Lio), a tough and respected figure in a village. However, Ajo carries the burden of impotence, which he is deeply ashamed of. This problem stems from a traumatic past, as Ajo was a victim of sexual abuse in his childhood.
Ajo Kawir's world is shattered when he discovers that his wife, Iteung (Ladya Cheryl), is unfaithful and even has a child with another man. Unfortunately, Ajo gets entangled in a big problem that puts him in jail.
Meanwhile, Iteung carried an overwhelming sense of guilt over her husband's misery. She vows to take revenge on those who have hurt Ajo in the past. Can Iteung fulfill her promise? And will Iteung and Ajo find a way to reconcile and reunite in the end?
9. Dilan 1990
Classic love stories from the 90s are always fascinating, and "Dilan 1990" (2018) is definitely one of them. Adapted from Pidi Baiq's novel of the same name, this movie will touch your heart and make you smile.
The movie follows the journey of Dilan (Iqbaal Ramadhan), a student and leader of a motorcycle gang in Bandung. One day, Dilan falls in love at first sight when he meets Milea (played by Vanesha Prescilla).
Initially, Milea is not interested in Dilan's flirting and clumsiness. However, over time, love blossoms in her heart. Dilan can be described as the perfect man for Milea, except for one flaw - his habit of fighting.
Milea urges Dilan to cut down on his involvement in fights, as she fears for his safety. However, this request unintentionally causes trouble. One of Dilan's gang members develops hatred towards Milea, blaming her for causing Dilan to lose his fighting spirit.
10. Dilan 1991
"Dilan 1991" (2019), the sequel to "Dilan 1990" (2018), continues the captivating story adapted from Pidi Baiq's bestselling novel. The movie shows the twists and turns of Dilan and Milea's relationship that eventually lead to their decision to separate.
Previously, Milea had pleaded with Dilan to stop his involvement in fighting, especially since Dilan faced the risk of being expelled from school due to a fight with Anhar (Giulio Parengkuan). However, instead of regretting it, Dilan continues to get involved in fights and invites new opponents. This makes Milea angry and worried about Dilan's future.
Reaching the breaking point, Milea gave Dilan an ultimatum: quit the motorcycle gang or end their relationship. Dilan's position in Milea's heart is increasingly threatened when he sees Milea getting closer to a young man named Yugi (Jerome Kurnia).
11. Milea: Suara dari Dilan
As the final chapter of Dilan and Milea's love story, the movie "Milea: Suara dari Dilan" (2020) is a must watch. This time, the story is presented from Milea's perspective, exploring her meeting with Dilan and the struggles she faces.
Having a heavy heart moving to Bandung, Milea never expected to fall in love with a rebellious young man like Dilan. Together, they experience many moments of joy and sorrow. However, Milea's patience has its limits, until finally she makes a desperate move by threatening to end their relationship.
Initially, Milea's intention was to scare Dilan, but Dilan chose his motorcycle gang over Milea. As a result, Milea made the difficult decision to break up with Dilan.
Years later, fate reunites Milea and Dilan at a high school reunion. However, the situation has changed significantly as Dilan and Milea have started a new love story with different people. This meeting marks a new chapter in their lives, which contrasts with their past experiences.
12. Dua Garis Biru
"Dua Garis Biru" (2019) is a cautionary tale for teenagers, emphasizing the consequences of premarital sexual activity that can jeopardize their future. The movie is an adaptation of Lucia Priandarini's novel and revolves around two teenagers named Bima (Angga Yunanda) and Dara (Adhisty Zara).
The story begins with Bima and Dara becoming a beloved couple in their school, despite their contrasting academic and financial backgrounds. However, their love leads them astray, and they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage. Tragically, their relationship resulted in Dara becoming pregnant.
This shocking news triggered a storm within Bima and Dara's family. To avoid further embarrassment, both families agreed that Bima and Dara should get married. However, the marriage turned out to be more challenging than expected, as the young couple faced many problems.
Dara had long dreamed of continuing her education in South Korea. But Bima rejected this idea because he did not want his daughter to live without the love of her own mother. Thus, they faced the dilemma of balancing the responsibilities of married life with their youthful dreams.
13. Imperfect
"Imperfect" (2019) is a movie adaptation of a novel that is very popular and loved by teenagers. Based on the novel "Imperfect: A Journey to Self-Acceptance" by Meira Anastasia, the movie explores themes of body shaming and self-positivity.
The story revolves around Rara (Jessica Mila), a young girl who has a plump body, fair skin, and thick hair. Her appearance contrasts with her sister, Lulu (Yasmin Napper), who shares the same beauty standards as their mother.
Despite the physical differences, Rara never felt inferior. But her confidence is shaken when she fails to get a promotion because her appearance is not suitable for a manager position in a cosmetics company.
Faced with a choice, Rara's boss presents her with a dilemma: change her appearance to match the company's expectations or resign from her position.
14. Mariposa
Mariposa (2020) had dominated the Indonesian box office and became a favorite of teenagers. Fajar Bustomi's movie is adapted from a novel by Luluk HF that tells a teenage love story.
It all starts when Acha (Adhisty Zara) falls in love at first sight when she meets Iqbal (Angga Yunanda). The handsome and smartest boy in her school who is very popular. Unfortunately, Iqbal has a cold and arrogant personality.
Although Iqbal openly rejected Acha, this did not stop her. Acha continued to approach Iqbal in various ways, including trying to become one of the school representatives in the quiz competition.
Slowly but surely, Acha began to find out why Iqbal hated her so much. It turned out that Iqbal was pressured by his father's demands to be class champion and get a scholarship to study abroad. In fact, Iqbal's father considers Acha as a person who makes Iqbal not focus on learning.
15. Panduan Mempersiapkan Perpisahan
As a Bioskop Online original movie, "Panduan Mempersiapkan Perpisahan" (2023) is a movie that you should not miss. Directed by Adriyanto Dewo, the movie adapts an interesting story from the best-selling novel "Eminus Dolere" by Arman Dhani.
The movie explores the complex relationship without official status, known as "HTS" (Hanya Teman Selamanya), between Demi (Lutesha) and Bara (Daffa Wardhana). Although they have known each other for years, their relationship has never been clear.
The ambiguous nature of their relationship stems from Demi's tendency to come and go from Bara's life. Even though she has feelings for Demi, Bara wants clarity and hopes for a clearer relationship.
Bara grew tired of Demi's unpredictable behavior, as she often disappeared suddenly. However, no matter how tired he was, Bara found that he could not end his statusless relationship with Demi. The dream of taking their relationship to the next level, even marriage, seemed to be in reach. However, fate intervenes and forces them to part ways once again.
16. Sabtu Bersama Bapak
"Sabtu Bersama Bapak" (2016) is a heartwarming family movie that brings out a sense of nostalgia and longing for the warmth of family ties. Directed by Monty Tiwa, the movie is an adaptation of Adhitya Mulyana's novel of the same name.
The story is about Itje (Ira Wibowo) and her struggle to raise her two sons after the death of her husband, Gunawan (Abimana Aryasatya). Before he died, Gunawan prepared a series of recorded messages for his two sons.
Every Saturday, Itje gathers her two sons, Satya (Arifin Putra) and Cakta (Deva Mahenra), to watch the videos their father had prepared. The messages have a huge impact on the character development of both boys.
Satya became a quiet and emotionally introverted individual, which resulted in a weak relationship with his wife. Although their household looked harmonious on the surface, communication between them became distant.
On the other hand, Cakra became extremely focused on gaining knowledge and striving for perfection. As a result, he forgot how to enjoy life and struggled to find a suitable partner.
17. Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck
The movie "Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck" (2013) is based on the legendary novel written by Hamka and published in 1938. This romantic movie is sure to awaken strong emotions in the audience, as the storyline and chemistry between the main couple are captivating.
The movie tells the story of a young man named Zainuddin (Herjunot Ali). After the departure of his parents, Zainuddin decides to return to his hometown in Batipuh, Padang Panjang.
Upon his arrival in Padang Panjang, Zainuddin falls in love at first sight when he meets a girl named Hayati (Pevita Pearce). However, their love story faces many obstacles due to traditional customs.
Zainuddin, who has no Minang blood and comes from a humble background, is considered unfit to marry Hayati. Therefore, Hayati's family set her up with Aziz (Reza Rahadian), a man of equal social status.
Later on, Hayati and Aziz's married life experienced difficulties, and Aziz even went bankrupt. That's when Zainuddin, who was already a successful writer, came to help them. But due to his illness, Aziz passed away.
Zainuddin and Hayati were supposed to be together, but a misunderstanding drove them apart. This time, however, it is not custom or social status that separates them, but the tragedy of death.
18. One Day We'll Talk About Today
Toxicity does not only occur in romantic relationships; it can also run in families. For example, the case of Mr. Narendra's (Donny Damara) family that looks happy, but hides deep depression and secrets.
As a father, Mr. Narendra is very protective of his youngest child, Awan (Rachel Amanda). Due to an accident in the past, he is always worried about Awan's health.
The responsibility of taking care of Awan falls to her older siblings, Angkasa (Rio Dewanto) and Aurora (Sheila Dara Aisha). However, as Awan grew older, he grew tired of his father's actions. This leads her to become rebellious, which results in Mr. Narendra scolding both of her siblings.
Feeling frustrated, Angkasa and Aurora finally reveal the secrets they've been hiding. This fight not only uncovered their long-held secrets, but also revealed a truth that Mr. Narendra had been hiding.
By the way, One Day We'll Talk About Today ("Nanti Kita Cerita tentang Hari" (2020)), commonly known as NKCTHI, is a movie adaptation of the novel of the same name by Marcella FP.
19. Dear Nathan: Thank You Salma
Another novel adaptation, "Dear Nathan: Thank You Salma" (2022) tells the story of the romantic relationship between Nathan (Jefri Nichol) and Salma (Amanda Rawles), who are now in college. Both emotionally mature, they face a constant challenge in their relationship: trust.
While studying at different universities, Salma begins to suspect Nathan of being unfaithful. Upon investigation, she discovers that Nathan is actually helping a female friend of his who is a victim of sexual harassment.
In his effort to seek justice for Zanna (Indah Permatasari), Nathan is willing to risk his own future. However, the enemy they face is no ordinary person. The person involved is the son of the foundation's leader and a major donor to their university, making the situation even more complicated.
20. Bumi Manusia
"Bumi Manusia" is a movie adaptation of one of Indonesia's best literary novels of the same name, written by legendary author Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The movie is set during the Dutch colonial era, a time when the local people were subjected to arbitrary treatment by the Dutch government.
The main character, Minke (Iqbal Ramadhan), is the son of a well-known figure in Central Java. During a visit to Surabaya, Minke falls in love with a young woman named Annelies Mellema (Mawar Eva de Jongh). However, their love story must end in tragedy.
After the death of Annelies' father, the Dutch Crown took away all of their wealth. Annelies' mother, Nyai Ontosoroh (Sha Ine Febriyanti), lost custody of her daughter because her marriage to Herman Mellema (Peter Sterk) was not legal.
The court ruled that Annelies should be taken back to the Netherlands, even though Minke was her legal husband. Helpless, Minke cannot prevent this separation.
Those are the 20 best movies based on novels that can be recommended for you to watch. Which of these films have you watched and become your favorite? Feel free to share your opinion in the comment section!