Netflix has unveiled the trailer for what looks like one action-packed, bloody offering from Indonesia, The Shadow Strays. Take a look above.
Set against a dark and suspenseful backdrop, the film follows 13 (Aurora Ribero), a determined young woman who embarks on a perilous mission to rescue Monji (Ali Fikry), a boy held captive by a dangerous crime syndicate. The trailer teases the high stakes and gripping fight scenes that await viewers, highlighting the complexity of the characters and the challenges they face.
Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, whose credits include The Night Comes for Us (our review of that one – a must-see for action lovers – is HERE), The Big 4, Headshot, and upcoming Bob Odenkirk action sequel Nobody 2, the film appears to stay true to his signature style — a brutal blend of action and gore. Lead star Ribero, stepping into the world of action for the first time, underwent four months of intense training to prepare for her physically demanding role. Reflecting on her experience, she shared with Netflix, “I think this is one of the bravest things I have done in my life. The first two months were hard, and I felt so lost in the beginning. We all knew this would be a long and difficult journey, but we helped one another and worked hard. The energy on set was always amazing.”
The fight choreography, overseen by The Raid and Star Wars: The Force Awakens alums Muhammad Irfan and Trisna Irawan, combines elements of Indonesian martial arts silat with other combat styles like kickboxing and Japanese katana sword fighting. The duo were tasked with creating action sequences that are both visually striking and brutally intense. “We wanted to show the beauty of the choreography but also its violence,” they remarked.
At its core, The Shadow Strays explores more than just physical confrontation. Timo explained that the film touches on emotional vulnerability and the power of love, noting, “The Shadow Strays talks about having this feeling of love and having to express it. That’s the heart of the story.”
The Shadow Strays is set to premiere on Netflix on 17 October.
