(Credits: Soda Machine Films)

Every so often, there comes a film that looks elegant on the surface but hides something quietly unsettling underneath. A Normal Woman, the new Netflix Indonesia release, is exactly that kind of film. It draws you in with polished visuals and poised characters, then slowly starts to show the cracks. Also, the film is now topping the charts of non-English global films on Netflix.

Released on July 24th 2025, the psychological drama is directed by Lucky Kuswandi and marks the first project from his production company, Soda Machine Films. At its centre is Milla, played by Marissa Anita. She plays a wealthy socialite whose life looks perfect from the outside, but there is something else going on within herself. Her life begins to fray when a strange rash appears on her neck. It is small at first, almost forgettable, but it refuses to go away.

What starts as a simple curiosity turns into an obsession. Milla visits doctors, tries remedies, and searches for answers, but the mystery deepens. The more she looks for a physical cause, the more it becomes clear that the truth may lie somewhere else entirely. The film begins to ask whether the rash is a medical problem at all, or if it is the visible mark of something she has been hiding from herself.

Kuswandi has said the idea came from his interest in how psychological strain can manifest in the body. That theme runs through every frame. This is not a fast-paced thriller. It is a slow study of how internal pressure can quietly dismantle even the most controlled image.

Marissa Anita gives a performance that carries the whole film. She has described preparing for the role by reading psychology books and reflecting on her own experiences with midlife change. And that is clearly visible in her performance. Those details make Milla feel lived-in and believable. From her appearance at social events to the quiet scenes where her confidence slips away, it shows.

The supporting cast brings extra depth. Dion Wiyoko plays Jonathan, Milla’s husband, whose calm exterior may not be as steady as it seems. Gisella Anastasia is Erica, a friend whose presence keeps on becoming more complicated as the story unfolds. Mima Shafa and veteran actress Widyawati add family layers, hinting at generational expectations and unspoken history that weigh on Milla.

Visually, A Normal Woman uses its setting to build atmosphere. Bright, airy shots of luxury homes and gatherings are paired with closer, shadowed frames that feel almost claustrophobic. The glamour never quite covers the tension, and the contrast makes you watch a little more closely. And that goes perfectly well with the name of the film, as it seems more ironic to call her “A normal woman”.

By the time the film reaches its final act, the rash is no longer the main question. What matters is what it represents. A sign that appearances can only hold for so long before the truth forces its way to the surface.

For Netflix viewers, it is a change of pace from action-heavy thrillers or big romantic dramas. This is a film that asks you to slow down and sit with the discomfort. Moreover, for those who like to explore films from different regions, this can be a refreshing watch. And when the credits roll, it leaves its questions open, letting them linger long after you have closed the app.