Parents' Guide to

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

By Marty Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Visually, gory enticing horror series has positive messages.

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Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams TV show poster: six people fall into a deep, dreamlike hole

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

compassion, bravery, and <a href=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/"/articles/how-can-i-use-media-to-teach-my-kid-self-control">self-control.

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  • Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams TV show screenshot 1: a man pauses before entering a room in a dimly lit rest home
  • Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams TV show screenshot 2: a young boy sits on the edge of a bed while his mother sleeps
  • Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams TV show screenshot 3: a man stares at a wall full of TV screens showing spiral images

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What's the Story?

JOKO ANWAR'S NIGHTMARES AND DAYDREAMS is a horror anthology that focuses on bizarre events in the everyday lives of Indonesians. In early episodes, a man regrets putting his mother in a rest home when he discovers what actually goes on there; a couple's adopted son puts them in grave danger.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Director-creator Joko Anwar doesn't have a big American following yet, and this show appears to function as a broad introduction to Anwar's unique take on horror. Like many horror series, Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams suffers from a lack of truly original stories (tough to find a whole season of those at one time), but Anwar has a strong visual style. Unfortunately, the series is also let down by its American voice cast; the acting acting seems more appropriate for, say, anime than horror. It takes whatever nuance might have been in the original series' writing and acting and tips it toward general, stereotypical horror tropes. Better to watch this one with subtitles if that's an option.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Indonesian culture. Does this show appear to be made for American audiences? What are some differences and similarities between everyday life in Indonesia and America? How do those differences affect your perspective?

  • What type of stories does this show tell in order to produce its horror? What response do you think it wants from its audience? Did you find the scary moments particularly scary? Why or why not?

TV Details

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