Ariel Tatum
Sari
Overview
Short on cash, food analyst Sari makes a deal to go on a blind date, only to realize she's been set up with Utama, her hateable but handsome boss.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Blind Date That Almost Wasn’t
I’ll admit it: I went into A Business Proposal (2025) with low expectations. Not because of the premise—enemies-to-lovers rom-coms are a dime a dozen, but the setup here (a woman agrees to a blind date only to discover her date is her insufferable boss) had potential. No, my skepticism stemmed from the film’s troubled journey to the screen.
A theatrical boycott, a last-minute Netflix save, and a pre-release IMDb rating hovering around 1.9/10 don’t exactly scream “must-watch.” Yet, against all odds, this Indonesian adaptation of a popular K-drama manages to be—if not great—surprisingly charming. That is, when it isn’t tripping over its own feet.
The film opens with Sari (Ariel Tatum), a food analyst drowning in debt, agreeing to stand in for her best friend Yasmin (Caitlin Halderman) on a blind date. The catch? The date is with Utama (Abidzar Al-Ghifari), Sari’s wealthy, infuriatingly handsome boss.
What follows is a series of increasingly absurd encounters—forced proximity in a car, a disastrous dinner, and a hotel room mix-up—that should, in theory, escalate into romantic tension. The problem? The chemistry between Sari and Utama never quite ignites.
It’s not for lack of trying on Tatum’s part. She throws herself into the role with a physicality that’s impossible to ignore: her eyes widen in exaggerated horror when she realizes who Utama is, her posture stiffens when he’s near, and her laughter is just a beat too loud, as if she’s trying to convince herself (and us) that this is all just a bit of fun. It’s an all-out performance, the kind that demands attention even when the script doesn’t.
But Tatum’s energy is only half the equation. Abidzar Al-Ghifari’s Utama is where the film stumbles. He’s not bad, exactly—just there.
His line readings are flat, his expressions limited to a default smolder that never quite sells the character’s supposed charm. It’s a performance that feels like it belongs in a different movie, one where the romantic lead isn’t required to do much beyond looking pretty and delivering exposition. The disconnect is jarring, like watching a dance where one partner is in perfect rhythm and the other is counting beats in their head.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A charming but uneven romantic comedy with standout performances and a refreshing premise."
The film’s lighthearted tone and strong chemistry between the leads make it an enjoyable watch, particularly for fans of rom-coms with a modern twist. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, some viewers feel the plot relies too heavily on familiar tropes, and the pacing occasionally drags, leaving the story feeling underdeveloped in places.
What viewers praise
- Engaging lead chemistry Ariel Tatum and Caitlin Halderman deliver lively performances that keep the romance feeling fresh and believable.
- Lighthearted tone The movie’s playful and upbeat atmosphere makes it an easy, feel-good watch.
- Refreshing premise The setup offers a fun twist on classic rom-com tropes, adding a layer of unpredictability.
- Strong supporting cast Ardhito Pramono and Slamet Rahardjo add depth and humor, enhancing the overall experience.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot Many viewers note that the story follows well-worn rom-com formulas, reducing surprise.
- Uneven pacing Some scenes feel rushed while others drag, disrupting the flow of the narrative.
- Underdeveloped side characters While the leads shine, some supporting roles lack depth and feel like missed opportunities.
Recommended for
Rom-com enthusiasts Fans of modern love stories Lighthearted comedy lovers Ariel Tatum admirers Caitlin Halderman fans
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Twisted Fate of A Business Proposal (2025): From Theatrical Boycott to Netflix Domination
Rako Prijanto’s A Business Proposal (2025) was never supposed to be a streaming sensation. The Indonesian rom-com, starring Ariel Tatum and Caitlin Halderman, had a rocky start—so rocky that its theatrical release was reportedly boycotted. latestnetflix.com's read is that yet, in a plot twist worthy of its own script, the film clawed its way to the top of Netflix’s charts, proving that even a rejected project can become a viral hit.
A Blind Date Gone Wrong (For Theaters, At Least)
The premise of A Business Proposal is a classic rom-com setup: Sari, a financially struggling food analyst, agrees to stand in for her best friend on a blind date—only to discover her date is Utama, her infuriatingly attractive boss 
. The film leans into the enemies-to-lovers trope, with snippets suggesting a mix of sharp banter and forced proximity. But before audiences could judge the chemistry, the movie faced an unexpected hurdle: a theatrical boycott.
Details on the boycott remain scarce, but reports confirm that A Business Proposal struggled to secure screens in Indonesia . Whether due to industry politics, distribution disputes, or lukewarm early buzz, the film’s theatrical run was limited—or possibly scrapped entirely. For a rom-com banking on big-screen charm, this was a major blow.
Netflix to the Rescue
Just when A Business Proposal seemed doomed, Netflix stepped in. The streaming giant acquired the rights, and the film’s fortunes flipped overnight. Within days of its digital debut, it shot to the top of Indonesia’s Netflix charts, claiming the coveted #1 spot . The public, initially hesitant, suddenly couldn’t resist the allure of a rom-com that had been "canceled" before it even began.
The irony? The boycott may have fueled its success. Curiosity about the "controversial" film—combined with the accessibility of streaming—turned A Business Proposal into a must-watch. It’s a rare case of a movie thriving because of its theatrical rejection, not in spite of it.
Who’s Who in the Cast?
The film’s ensemble includes some of Indonesia’s most recognizable faces:
- Ariel Tatum (Satu Hari Nanti, Dilan 1990) plays Sari, the reluctant stand-in.
- Caitlin Halderman (My Stupid Boss, Dua Garis Biru) appears as Yasmin, Sari’s best friend and the architect of the blind-date scheme.
- Abidzar Al-Ghifari (Imperfect: Karier, Cinta & Timbangan) takes on the role of Utama, the boss Sari can’t stand (until she does).
- Ardhito Pramono, the indie singer-songwriter, joins the cast, though his role isn’t detailed in the snippets .
The supporting cast—including veterans like Slamet Rahardjo and Yono Bakrie—adds depth, but the spotlight stays on Tatum and Al-Ghifari’s chemistry.
Unanswered Questions (And Why We’re Still Talking)
Despite its Netflix triumph, A Business Proposal leaves a few mysteries:
- Why the boycott? The snippets don’t specify who or what triggered the theatrical blackout. Was it a studio feud, a scheduling conflict, or something more dramatic?
- How much did Netflix pay? The acquisition fee remains unconfirmed, but given the film’s post-release success, it’s safe to assume the deal was a steal.
- Will there be a sequel? The rom-com’s open-ended vibe (and Netflix’s love for franchises) makes this a possibility, though no official word exists.
The Takeaway: A Cinderella Story for the Streaming Age
A Business Proposal (2025) is proof that a movie’s fate isn’t sealed by its theatrical run. In an era where streaming platforms can resurrect "failed" projects, the film’s journey—from boycotted to beloved—is almost as compelling as its plot. Whether it’s a one-hit wonder or the start of a franchise remains to be seen, but for now, it’s the rom-com Indonesia didn’t know it needed.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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