Southeast Asia is home to rich cultures and unique stories, and this festive season, Netflix presents a slate of authentically told tales that best represent the region’s vibrant storytelling.
From laugh-out-loud comedies to fantastical sci-fi flicks, here’s a selection for your year-end holiday-viewing pleasure from some of Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines’ top filmmakers.
Thailand
- Peek into the complex world of Thai boxing in ‘Hurts Like Hell’
With origins in Thailand, the popularity of Muay Thai has spread across the globe. Take an up-close-and-personal look at this sport – including its entanglements with the underworld – as told through this part-anthology, part-documentary miniseries.
- Celebrate a national dream with ‘The Lost Lotteries’
Looking for a belly-aching laugh fest this holiday season? This is your winning ticket!
Five unlucky strangers go up against a mafia boss to steal back winning lottery tickets worth millions, in this heist movie that draws on the Thai national dream of hitting the jackpot.
- Dive into the Tham Luang cave saga in ‘The Trapped 13’ and ‘Thai Cave Rescue’
Trapped in a flooded cave, 12 young Thai footballers were watched by the world over 17 nail-biting days in the summer of 2018.
Helmed by award-winning director Pailin Wedel, the documentary “The Trapped 13: How We Survived The Thai Cave” features the perspectives of the survivors, and delves into the intricacies of the dangerous rescue mission.
If documentaries aren’t your thing, tune in to “Thai Cave Rescue”. Told with care, compassion, and a commitment to authenticity, this drama series sheds light on the event, with real-life elements including scenes filmed at some of the boys’ homes.
Indonesia
- Enjoy high-octane action and comedy in ‘The Big 4’
Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Arie Kriting, Lutesha, and Kristo Immanuel star in the first action-comedy film by acclaimed Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto (“May the Devil Take You”).
Four retired assassins joining forces to track down an elusive murderer, but with a straight-arrow cop in their way, will this gang of experts be able to catch the killer?
- Chase wanderlust in Bali with ‘A Perfect Fit’
What if fate came a little too late? A fashion blogger finds herself going down an unexpected path when she takes a life-changing trip to Bali, where she meets a gifted shoemaker.
But the big question in this whirlwind romance is, can she keep her commitment to her fiancé?
Philippines
- Snuggle up for an emotional story on second chances in ‘Doll House’
Everyone needs a good cry sometimes. “Doll House” is here to help with just that, in this tale of a troubled lead singer of a rock band who sets out to rekindle the relationship he never had with his long-lost daughter.
This poignant film will have you holding your loved ones a little closer this year-end.
Bonus: Chinese-language picks
- Experience the heart-pumping action of ‘Warriors of Future’
When a meteor carrying a destructive plant strikes the world, a suicide squad is given mere hours to save their post-apocalyptic city from total collapse. In the face of human extinction, can these heroes emerge victorious?
- Go on an emotional rollercoaster in ‘Shards of Her’
The line between what’s real and what’s not gets blurred in this Taiwanese mystery thriller starring Hsu Wei-Ning, Toby Lee, and Wen Chen-Ling.
After a coma leaves her with amnesia, an accomplished career woman finds herself navigating a warped reality, where she is forced to revisit and confront her painful past.
- Laugh along with your favourite aunty’s dating life in ‘Mom, Don’t Do That!’
Everyone has that one aunty whose love life is constantly on the rocks! In this Taiwanese dramedy, a widow sets out to find new love, much to the joy and annoyance of her two daughters.
Filled with hilarious moments while following the ups and downs of relationships, “Mom, Don’t Do That!” is a heartfelt lesson about the value of family.