Better Off Dead (2025 film)
Better Off Dead is a 2025 Indonesian cringe comedy film directed by Kristo Immanuel in his directorial debut from a screenplay he wrote with Jessica Tjiu. The film stars Omara Esteghlal as Gema, an awkward young man.
It was released in Indonesian theatres on 14 August 2025. It received two nominations at the 2025 Indonesian Film Festival, including Best Original Screenplay for Immanuel and Tjiu.
Premise
Gema, an awkward young man, begins to receive attention from his co-workers after the death of his estranged father. He goes to great lengths to keep their attention.Cast
- Omara Esteghlal as Gema
- *Jared Ali as little Gema
- Mawar de Jongh as Kerin
- Mario Caesar as Danu
- Muhadkly Acho as Cokro
- Ardit Erwandha as Ilham
- Shindy Huang as Adriana
- Nada Novia as Naya
- Nirina Zubir as Ayu, Gema's mother
- Gilbert Pattiruhu as Gema's father
- Yono Bakrie as careless truck driver
Tissa Biani appear as "people in afterlife".
Production
In March 2025, producer Ernest Prakasa announced the project during the presentation of Imajinari Pictures' film slate at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market. In an interview with Kompas, Immanuel described the film as a "love letter for people with neurodiversity". He further explained that the use of the "breaking the fourth wall" concept in the film represented self-talk, which is commonly seen in neurodivergent individuals. In May 2025, it was reported that Barunson E&A would handle the film's international remake rights, along with other Imajinari films.Principal photography began in February 2025.