Netflix Sci-Fi Supernatural Series Links Together Mind-Bending Stories

By Douglas Helm | Updated

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

If you love anthology shows like Black Mirror, then you might want to check out the newest Netflix anthology series, Nightmares and Daydreams, from writer and director Joko Anwar. This series is billed as a supernatural sci-fi and was co-directed by Ray Farandy Pakpahan, Tommy Dewo, and Randolph Zaini. You can stream every episode of the series on Netflix now.

A Supernatural Anthology Series Like No Other

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

Nightmares and Daydreams focuses on ordinary people who find themselves facing supernatural circumstances. For instance, the first episode features a man who regrets putting his mother in a sinister nursing home. Other episodes include a couple adopting an orphan who has the power to grant them wealth, an author who finds themselves sustaining the same injuries as the protagonist of her book, a diamond appraiser looking for his missing sister, and more.

Explosive Interconnected Finale

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

While Nightmares and Daydreams is an anthology series, it’s a little different from your typical anthology show. Each episode can be standalone, but they’re better viewed together because they are slightly linked and the stories all come together in an intense finale. So, at the very least, you’ll want to make sure to watch the final episode last if you’re someone who likes to jump around anthology episodes.

Top Ten Non-English Series On Netflix

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

Nightmares and Daydreams also features a massive cast that includes Ario Bayu, Asmara Abigail, Marissa Anita, Fachri Albar, Lukman Sardi, Nirina Zubir, Yoga Pratama, Karina Salim, Ayu Laksmi, Agnes Naomi, Putra Dinata, Mian Tiara, Niken Anjani, Haydar Salishz, Agus Firmansyah, Sita Nursanti, Nicholas Sada, Sarita Ibrahim, and Dimas Danang Suryonegoro.

Judging by the fact that the series has already cracked the Top Ten Non-English TV shows the first week of being available, this show has the chance to be another big international hit for Netflix. The Indonesian show was filmed in Jakarta and Cirebon, with all of the episodes taking place in Jakarta, specifically.

Other Joko Anwar Titles To Consider

Joko Anwar is one of the most exciting Indonesian filmmakers working right now, with his previous horror projects, Satan’s Slaves and Impetigore, getting international attention. While reviews are saying that Nightmares and Daydreams isn’t gory like his films, the episodes are just as engrossing. Anwar has been working on the project for two years now, and it’s clear that it’s one of his most ambitious works yet.

Stream Nightmares And Daydreams On Netflix

Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams

If you end up loving Nightmares and Daydreams as much as the critics are so far, then you’ll also want to watch out for Joko Anwar’s next project, Siksa Kubur (Grave Torture), which he’s also writing and directing. The project stems from a short film that Anwar made in 2012 and will turn it into a full feature-length movie that will undoubtedly be just as stylish as his previous horror offerings. 

Nightmares and Daydreams tells its interconnected yet separate story over the course of seven episodes, so this is one that you could easily binge in a weekend. If you’ve been craving a new, dark anthology series, then this might be just the thing you’re looking for. Make sure to check out Season 1 of Nightmares and Daydreams over on Netflix now.