For months, Indonesian movie audiences have been talking about one film: Norma, the story of a seemingly blissful marriage shattered by the husband's clandestine affair with his mother-in-law. It's the kind of plot that was always going to attract melodrama fans. But what has made Norma a nationwide obsession is the fact that it's based on a viral true story.
In 2022, Norma Risma, a woman in Serang City on Indonesia's Java island, exposed her husband and mother's affair in a TikTok video. Her story quickly racked up millions of views, made headlines and ultimately brought her a movie deal that has taken Southeast Asia by storm.
Norma, which hit Indonesian theatres in March and Netflix in August, became one of the most watched movies, not just in Indonesia but also Malaysia and Singapore, where there are large Malay-Muslim populations. It follows a winning formula that Indonesian filmmakers have discovered: adapting viral social media scandals.
The film capitalizes on themes of betrayal that are generally taboo in Indonesia, where adultery can lead to serious consequences under the law, including imprisonment and public flogging.
With experts noting a cultural fascination with household scandals, the film's success echoes a growing trend of cinematic adaptations of real-life controversies. As Norma’s story unfolds on screen, it serves to empower women, encouraging discussions around infidelity and the societal challenges faced by those in similar circumstances.
Today, Norma Risma continues to navigate her life post-scandal as an outsourced worker in Serang, while the film serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of relationships layered within Indonesia's conservative backdrop.
In 2022, Norma Risma, a woman in Serang City on Indonesia's Java island, exposed her husband and mother's affair in a TikTok video. Her story quickly racked up millions of views, made headlines and ultimately brought her a movie deal that has taken Southeast Asia by storm.
Norma, which hit Indonesian theatres in March and Netflix in August, became one of the most watched movies, not just in Indonesia but also Malaysia and Singapore, where there are large Malay-Muslim populations. It follows a winning formula that Indonesian filmmakers have discovered: adapting viral social media scandals.
The film capitalizes on themes of betrayal that are generally taboo in Indonesia, where adultery can lead to serious consequences under the law, including imprisonment and public flogging.
With experts noting a cultural fascination with household scandals, the film's success echoes a growing trend of cinematic adaptations of real-life controversies. As Norma’s story unfolds on screen, it serves to empower women, encouraging discussions around infidelity and the societal challenges faced by those in similar circumstances.
Today, Norma Risma continues to navigate her life post-scandal as an outsourced worker in Serang, while the film serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of relationships layered within Indonesia's conservative backdrop.
