You are here:

Interchange

Name: Interchange
Director: Dain Said
Released: 2016
Duration: 102 min

Representation Score

6.9/10

Good

2016

Director

Dain Said

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Interchange is a sophisticated psychological thriller that uses the genre to explore identity politics and systemic social pressures. It successfully blends local folklore with contemporary explorations of queer identity and post-colonial structures. The film excels in its multi-layered approach, connecting urban Indonesian life with indigenous Bornean mysticism. This creates a rich, diverse tapestry of representation that avoids Western-centric moral frameworks. While the film provides deep character studies regarding sexuality and ethnicity, it offers limited exploration of gender diversity beyond the critique of masculinity and lacks representation for disabilities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Interchange have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on the negotiation of queer identity within a restrictive social environment. It emphasizes the protagonist's sexuality as a key factor in his psychological journey.

How does Interchange portray gender?

Good

The narrative explores the tension between traditional masculine expectations and personal identity. It challenges thriller conventions by highlighting the psychological strain of adhering to strict communal standards of masculinity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Interchange?

Excellent

The film uses an Indonesian cast to set the story in a non-Western context. It combines the urban setting of Yogyakarta with the tribal elements of Borneo, creating a rich, diverse backdrop.

How does Interchange represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film examines the conflict between religious authority and individual freedom. It portrays traditional religious institutions as sources of social pressure, challenging established power dynamics through a lens of moral relativism.

Does Interchange include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Nuanced exploration of queer identity as a central psychological driver.
Effective use of Indonesian casting and specific cultural landscapes like Yogyakarta and Borneo.
Sophisticated critique of religious authority and its impact on individual autonomy.

Limited or Absent

Limited exploration of gender diversity beyond the critique of traditional masculinity.
Lack of representation for physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Haunted by somber visions, forensics photographer Adam retreats from the world, staying home and taking photos of his neighbors until he is dragged into another investigation by his best friend, the detective Man, who asks his help to solve a series of macabre ritual murders. At the same time, Adam’s seemingly innocuous pastime soon turns darker when he spies Iva, a young woman from Borneo. Smitten by her, he is soon entangled in her web of mystery and murder. As Adam is dragged further into Iva’s tribal world and Man delves deeper into his investigation, they discover the city’s mystical underground of shamans and supernatural beings.

How are these scores produced? →