
Reza Rahadian
Gaspar

With only 24 hours left to live, a private investigator follows a trail of confounding clues to uncover the disappearance of his childhood friend.
I’ve seen this trick before: a countdown, a dying man, a race against time. It’s the oldest gimmick in the thriller playbook. But 24 Hours with Gaspar doesn’t just rely on the ticking clock—it lets it fester, a wound that seeps into every frame.
The film opens with Gaspar (Reza Rahadian), a private investigator with a failing heart, given 24 hours to live unless he solves the disappearance of his childhood friend. What follows is less a mystery than a fever dream, a descent into a Jakarta that feels like it’s rotting from the inside out. Director Yosep Anggi Noen, whose previous work like The Science of Fictions (2019) leaned into surreal, politically charged arthouse cinema, here embraces genre filmmaking with a vengeance.
The shift isn’t seamless—24 Hours with Gaspar stumbles in its middle act, as John Serba at Decider notes, "struggling through a lengthy middle act that suffers from pacing issues and a lack of memorable moments." But when it works, it’s electrifying, a collision of noir, dystopia, and pulp that feels distinctly Indonesian.

The film’s visual language is its strongest asset. Shot in Semarang, Central Java, the city becomes a character in its own right—abandoned buildings, flickering neon signs, and the oppressive humidity of a post-pandemic world. Noen and his cinematographer paint Jakarta as a place where the future has already curdled, a "techno-noir" landscape that owes as much to Blade Runner as it does to the grit of Indonesian urban life.
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Yosep Anggi Noen’s 24 Hours with Gaspar (2023) is turning heads as one of Indonesia’s most talked-about crime films of the year. Starring a powerhouse cast led by Reza Rahadian and Shenina Cinnamon, the movie dives into a tense, time-bound mystery that’s as much about character as it is about crime. latestnetflix.com's read is that but what’s the real story behind its making—and why is it generating buzz?
Noen, known for his socially charged films like Solo, Solitude (2016), brings a gritty, immersive approach to 24 Hours with Gaspar. While the evidence doesn’t reveal behind-the-scenes details about his process, his past work suggests a focus on raw, character-driven narratives. The film’s 98-minute runtime hints at a tight, no-frills storytelling style—perfect for a thriller where every minute counts.
Reza Rahadian, a household name in Indonesian cinema, anchors the film alongside Shenina Cinnamon, whose breakout role in Photocopier (2021) proved her dramatic chops. Laura Basuki, Dewi Irawan, and Kristo Immanuel round out the ensemble, bringing depth to what’s likely a morally complex story. The cast’s chemistry is unconfirmed, but their collective experience suggests a compelling dynamic—especially in a film where tension is the main currency.
Early reactions are split. While Rotten Tomatoes aggregates reviews, the snippet doesn’t reveal a score, leaving critics’ verdicts a mystery. Over at SensCritique, the film holds a modest 2.9/10 from 24 votes, though user ratings can be fickle. The low score might reflect polarizing choices—perhaps in tone, pacing, or narrative twists—but it’s too soon to call the film a misfire. Crime thrillers often divide audiences, and 24 Hours with Gaspar could be one of those films that grows in appreciation over time.
With no confirmed sequel or spin-off, the film’s legacy hinges on its standalone impact. If Noen’s track record is any indication, 24 Hours with Gaspar might spark conversations about crime, morality, or societal issues in Indonesia—even if the initial reception is lukewarm.
For now, the film remains a curiosity: a tightly wound thriller with a strong cast and a director unafraid to take risks. Whether it becomes a cult favorite or fades into obscurity may depend on word of mouth—but one thing’s certain: it’s not a project to ignore.
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