Halfworlds (2015– ) User Reviews

Solid Start for Halfworlds

[nakamura-renaldo · 7/10 · 29 November 2015]

I don't have a lot of knowledge about HBO Asia, but if this is the first TV show from Indonesia, I'm a really proud Jakartan. Although without this, I'm still a proud Jakartan for many other reasons. Anyway... Let's talk about Halfworlds.

Regardless of the pictures, it's good. It has a unique quality of Jakarta. The background story about the Demit and everything else is really interesting. I was quite fascinated when I heard the stories because from what I know, the story about these Demits are altered.

The length of the pilot is only 30 minutes, which kind of disappointing for me. I expected 15 minutes longer. But in only 30 minutes, it's packed well. A solid start, I must say.

Again, applause for Joko Anwar, my favorite director in Indonesia. Hoping the next episode would be better. I'm excited to see where the story goes, because after watching the pilot I still have no idea what's going on.

Great Story Bad Execution

[melissaprado1 · 5/10 · 6 May 2020]

Really liked the story and the concept. Watched the entire first season but spent the entire time trying to figure out if the main character was a different person because her hair went from bangs to no bangs. I found this confusing cause when her hair is up she looks completely different. Story made no sense and how do these people have super powers but fight like average joes? There was a lot of of random people with no explanation and the story would randomly throw stuff in and then completely abandon the plot or explain what was going on. Overall, I enjoyed it but remained confused. I tired to watch the second season but it got way to confusing and I liked the first season charters more.

What Happens In Halfworlds?

[Jaymz13 · 5/10 · 3 January 2022]

Let me start with what I liked about Halfworlds.

I was excited to watch a show that dealt with mysterious, supernatural beings who have secretly lived alongside humanity since ancient times. The setting (Jakarta, Indonesia) was unique for me, and added to the intrigue. The scenery seemed authentic, and the photography and directing gave the scenes a feel of authenticity. The backstory of these demit as a whole was interesting and made me want to research the mythology. Sadly, there is a lack of historical writings on this subject in English, but that isn't this show's fault. The anime-style introductions were superb, and serve as an example to future film/TV creators. So far it's all about drama, atmosphere, and drawing the audience in to an exotic adventure.

Now to what about Halfworlds didn't work for me.

The characters are all very contrived and two-dimensional. The only thing that separates one from another and lets you distinguish them individually is their style of dress and haircut. They don't seem like people, just stereotypes. Any line of dialogue could have been delivered by anyone. There is no difference in personality. And that brings me to the dialogue. It's more like a list of random sentences designed to sound cool and edgy than to convey ideas and move the story along. The characters say some words, a fight breaks out, bodies hit the pavement, some more random words, rinse, repeat. What is happening? Who is this person? What is he trying to accomplish? What allies him or sets him at odds with the other characters? What is the point of ANY of this? What is The Gift? Why is it so dreadful? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call it "The Curse"? You never get any clear idea of any of these things. There is no structure here, either internally or externally. It's just...atmosphere and setting. If anyone asked me "What happens in Halfworlds?" I wouldn't have any idea how to answer them.

In the end, it put me in mind of Wesley Snipe's Blade movies, but with no plot, no sense of who he's supported by or fighting against or why. Just a room full of really cool, really beautiful, stylishly dressed bad asses trying to look cooler, more beautiful, more stylish, and more bad ass than everyone else in the room. In Blade, I learned about the differences between the average vampire (how they live, what they do, what they want) and daywalkers. With Halfworls, I learned that demit are ancient creatures that once coexisted with mankind, but are now enemies of humanity. I think. I'm not really sure. Are they? It's never completely clear. And why? What happened? I waited for the answers to all of these questions and many more, but they never came.

Everything I know about demit, I learned in the first 10 minutes of episode 1.

I expect more

[ifsyar · 7/10 · 20 January 2016]

To be honest, compared to another International TV series, this series doesn't make me want to watch the next episode. I miss the curious feeling when I watched it. However, the mind blowing ideas in the finale episode is quite nice. If you want to watch some unusual series. Then this series is for you. I want to see the next season, hopefully they show us how powerful every creature is. I don't know, they just seems to be too weak for me. Some scary effects to show the strength of each character is okay. The sexual scene is really annoying, why they are doing that too often? The fighting scene is somehow feel strange, but nice. I like the Tara Basro fighting style. Remind me of some game in the past, epic. Great job Joko Anwar.

Looked Promising At First but Then A Big No

[guusebumps · 3/10 · 13 December 2015]

I am Indonesian and I live in Jakarta. When I first saw the trailer I said to myself at last a good series made by Indonesian. It featured Indonesian supernatural myths and it looked different from other Indonesian made. After all, it was picked up by HBO, so it should be good, yes? No! I didn't see the first episode, but I saw the second, and it didn't take me 30 minutes to change the channel.

To me it was a big no. The story was actually promising but the execution was not. The dialog were somewhat scarce, short, and not really interconnected to one another. The acting was worse. They were not actually acting but only tried to look cool. Trying to be cool was not the same as acting.

In short, the overall look was not really different from other Indonesian horror film.

Promising concept with not so good execution

[ardie-13995 · 3/10 · 22 December 2015]

I knew for the first time about the series from social media then from the HBO advertise. I said to my self, "Wow an Indonesian series, directed by Indonesian top director, broadcast by HBO. Its going to be awesome!". Until I actually watched the first episode. There were so many "wait what?", "why?", "who are you" moments. The flow of the story was confusing, the transitions from one scene to another was odd. There were many flashing scenes jumping from one situation to another situation then back to the previous situation then jump again and so on. The acting were below HBO series bar. The episode was also ended awkwardly leaving me confused. I watched the second and the third eps and the conditions above still occurs. I am hoping so much there will be so much improvements and this series could have second season. I am very proud with this series and the director, cast and crews. Come on Joko Anwar!

a good portrayal of Indonesian's demons told in a whole new perspective

[niesshanissa · 9/10 · 2 January 2016]

the western world may not be familiar with the demons that are told in Indonesia's folklore. Indonesians don't grow up with the tale of Vampires and Orbs, but rather with Kuntilanak and Genderuwo.

this series has an interesting twist to what those demons do and how they live among us humans.

The casts are considered the A-List of Indonesian actors and actresses, who have won several awards for roles in various movies.

an overall great series and a must watch for those looking who wants to know about Indonesian demons and for those who wants a twist in the most told folklore

This is not it

[aji_gps · 4/10 · 10 January 2016]

If you think this is Indonesia's TV Show wake up call, then you're wrong. This is not it! I wrote this review just so people would not hope so much from the series.

I watched most of the first season just because I hoped things will get better the next second, but it never happened, well it was sometimes "it's gonna happen", but it did not. The development was so slow, when the finale came it was like the story was still trying to start and then it was end time. Probably my cruel judgment was because Halfworlds had the same schedule as Game of Thrones so I'm unconsciously comparing this serial to one of the greatest serial ever made.

In my opinion the acting (of some of the characters) were bad. This goes to Coki, Sarah, and Pinun. Acting is not the same as being a snobbish socialite. You can't blame Ario Bayu for all the experience he has, but his acting was too theatrical. One sentence per minute will not bring us anywhere. It is the time of fast development stories. If the audience can't catch up they can re-watch. I give extra credit to Adinia Wirasti and Arifin Putra for outstanding acts.

The fighting choreography were sub-pare. They weren't bad but if you want a movie to be half mostly about fighting you should make the fighting scenes something to wait for, right?

The kissing and nudity are out of place. If you want to put nudity in art it must mean something. All the kissing and swearing were like they are telling the audience "Hey, we're Indonesians but we're kissing and swearing, ain't that cool?". No it's not cool, it's a pity, and it's ironic.

At the end, this serial just looked like a rude mess. Please comeback with a full cooked plot and casts with serious intentions.

It's Pretty Good

[sectioo · 9/10 · 18 March 2016]

why everybody give negative review? oh come on everyone it's just started with 8 episode and still on progress, so can we just enjoy the movie? and stop judge this TV series are not worth to watch.

i think this series is great, as an Jakartan i'm very proud that Indonesian film series can go international broadcast with HBO Asia. It's pretty cool and thrilling, and the story is pretty cool about Indonesia ghost and myth. All of the Actor and Actress in this movie has a pretty good acting with their character,

And i must say every movies that have created by Joko Anwar had very good quality of the movie unlike the others. And this TV series is worth to watch :)

The story was promising but confused

[shunei_kaede · 3/10 · 8 January 2016]

The story starts promising with dark and ancient Asian monsters, sound good and exciting. But its all end with just a simple explanation "Because they look just like us." Wow... In the end the whole story is blurry, there is still no real meaning behind everything and to be honest i was expected some supernatural monsters, superhuman abilities at least but it is just like low class gangsters cutting each other throats the whole season. The actors & actresses look gorgeous but that is only it. Shallow acting, trying to hard to be cool and look dangerous they forgot to act. Dialogs are short and sketchy, characters have no deep intact to the storyline, Everything are just flowing around each other. Hope they get it together for next season.

Halfworlds Episode 1 Review

[moesocialnetworks · 3/10 · 6 December 2015]

The HBO TV series Halfworlds has a very interesting back story but suffers from bad casting, fake acting extras, bad costume and seem to do little in drawing you into the story.

In terms of the main cast they are way to good looking and polished to be believed that they are your normal everyday people stuck in a battle between good and evil. Everyone looks like they belong in a upper crust telenovela Mansion instead of the dirty streets.

All seem way to good looking and clean to fit into the dark story line. It attempts to create an Asian Underworld type of TV series but falls way short on execution.

‪#‎Disappointed‬ ‪#‎Halfworlds‬

out-standing

[hairyosoka · 2/10 · 13 February 2016]

the genres are horror, drama and mystery. but the horror did not make the heart beat, even though I think Indonesian ghost is the scariest supernatural creature in the world. the drama is pretty confusing. the mystery? did not make curious and wonder. watching the first episode I immediately said "that's it?". but hey this TV series, show must go on, give a chance, it's a long story anyway. The second episode actually does not improve, along with the appearance of new characters the story even more chaotic. "Hey you can't judge this TV series ugly because it's only second episode without watching the whole episode". OK i watch until eighth episode, I have concluded, "do not waste your time".

Still not going anywhere

[martadinata_vino · 1/10 · 1 January 2016]

I've always considered myself as a common moviegoers. What people like me know, is whether a movie is enjoyable or a complete waste of time.

Seeing Halfworlds just even confirmed me more, that a good movies are often not a question of sophisticated technology or unlimited budget. This Halfworlds, are one of the Indonesian opus that properly supported by HBO Asia. They, I assume, owns a reasonable amount of money, they provide a good props, qualities of costumes and wardrobes, probably more advance movie camera.. But how about a good plot? A proper directing? Decent casts? Reasonable script/dialogue?

The first episode confused me as hell. Main concept is amazing, urban legend, legendary myth, how they related the ideas toward current society and eras.. But how it rolls..seriously, forgive my thick skull but i think, and i assume, it's far from concern of money or movie budget whatever you call it. The dialogs are confusing!, the actors and actresses was trying hard to look cool! The sensible conversations are..being sacrificed for the sake of badass look. God. The scenes' flow are confusingly change and weirdly back and forth, the camera positions are somehow not reasonable, and unnecessarily shaky, made me feel like i was watching am over artsy music video. And sadly, one of the character's costume are simple copy of one of the hit assassination video game.

Please Indonesian movie industries, just try to make something that met some senses. We all agree that Paranormal Activity is a remarkably low budget movie, or take Juno (despite one of the cast is Ellen Page) is also a low budget, but what? They explode with originality, great plot, proper directing, reasonable screenplay, great dialogue script..

Interesting but poorly executed

[newneoneo · 3/10 · 25 March 2023]

Halfworlds - Season 1: This dark, atmospheric Indonesian fantasy series on HBO Max was interesting enough to keep me watching, but I was ultimately let down by the confusing story line, the odd and seemingly random introduction and quick death of new characters, and the puzzling and disappointing ending. Most of the acting was poor to adequate, but standouts included Reza Rahadian, who gives an entertaining over-the-top "theatrical" performance, and Aimee Saras, who has the most natural line delivery and believable persona. The main character, played by Salvita Decorte suffers from a lack of personality and it is hard to sympathize with her. Throughout the series the suspense is largely driven by a promised but unclear "gift from the gods," and of course, a "new chosen one." Unfortunately, we neither see this supernatural event actually happen, nor do get a clear sense of what the gift actually is, except we are told the chosen one was able to bring her boyfriend (who she accidentally stabbed in the chest with a huge wooden spike), back to life.

No one in this show is believable

[jensenfisher-90497 · 1/10 · 16 August 2022]

No one in this show is believable. You may wander why you've never seen these actors In anything else.... No you don't. They are terrible. Also super outdated "cool" characters. Crap job HBO. It may have came cheap, but you got your moneys worth.

Camera person

[mrenaegoins · 1/10 · 31 January 2022]

Besides the boringness from 1st episode. I kept getting sick watching the camera person going up and down, up and down, up and down, up and down 🤢. Fire the camera man. Sorry, your review is too short. It needs to contain at least 150 characters.

Supernatural but not natural

[ciunkx · 3/10 · 2 June 2016]

this probably counts as one of my rare "desire" to wrote down a review for some movies. you know why ? because i HAD to express my disappointment towards this. i spent quite a time to watch 7 episodes. if u ask me what the story is about,yes,it is about supernatural but morelike gangster try to achieve recognition by a top member. you know like mafia things whose divided by a lot of head family trying to reach the top to get blessing by a don juan(corleone :p). in their action,i was expected there should be some supernatural things in it. i mean like magic or superpower things,inhuman. but hell no,i found nothing on it. the only different between this "Demit" and them is only their knowledge and a little resistance to human weapon. that's it. no more or less. andddd the biggest disappointment for me is i can't TOLERATE even a slightest things about cheating on relationship. such a low human for me to do that. if one person is cornered in some situation i could understand but this... hell no,so shame on this movie and congrats for wasting my time watching 7 episodes.