Iqbaal Ramadhan
Ali
Overview
After his father's passing, a teenager sets out for New York in search of his estranged mother and soon finds love and connection in unexpected places.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Queens Who Carry the World
I didn’t expect to laugh so much in a film that begins with a funeral. But then again, Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens isn’t interested in the kind of grief that sits still. It’s the kind that sends you running—across oceans, into strangers’ kitchens, and straight into the arms of people who might just understand what it means to be lost.
Lucky Kuswandi’s 2021 dramedy is a quiet revelation, a film that trusts its audience to sit with discomfort and absurdity in equal measure. It’s not a road movie in the traditional sense, but it moves—through Jakarta’s humid sprawl, onto a plane bound for New York, and finally, into the chaotic, loving embrace of a found family that feels more real than the one its protagonist left behind.
The setup is simple: Ali (Iqbaal Ramadhan), a lanky, wide-eyed teenager, loses his father and, in the process, discovers a letter revealing that his mother—a woman he’s never met—is alive and living in New York. What follows isn’t just a journey to find her, but a collision with the kind of women who refuse to be anyone’s idea of a supporting character. The "Ratu Ratu Queens" of the title (a phrase that translates roughly to "Queens of Queens") are a group of Indonesian expats who’ve carved out a life in the borough, running a small business and, more importantly, running themselves with a ferocity that borders on the mythic.
They’re not just mothers, sisters, or friends—they’re forces of nature, and Ali stumbles into their orbit like a satellite caught in a gravitational pull he didn’t see coming.
Kuswandi’s direction is deceptively light. The film’s comedy—often broad, sometimes slapstick—might make you think you’re in for a breezy coming-of-age story, the kind where a kid learns a lesson and everyone hugs it out by the third act. But Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens has sharper teeth than that.
The humor isn’t just there to make you chuckle; it’s a survival tactic, a way to deflect the messier, more painful truths lurking beneath the surface. Take the scene where Ali, fresh off the plane and utterly out of his depth, tries to order coffee in English and ends up with something that looks like a science experiment gone wrong. The women around him erupt in laughter, but their amusement isn’t cruel—it’s the sound of people who’ve been where he is, who know what it’s like to feel small in a world that wasn’t built for you.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 7.5/10
"A heartfelt and humorous coming-of-age story with standout performances, though its pacing and predictability hold it back from greatness."
Viewers appreciate the film’s emotional depth and the chemistry among its cast, particularly the lead performance by Iqbaal Ramadhan, which adds authenticity to Ali’s journey. The blend of comedy and drama resonates well, though some find the plot’s familiarity and occasional slow pacing less engaging. latestnetflix.com's read is that The New York setting and the dynamic between Ali and the group of Indonesian women he encounters provide a fresh yet relatable perspective.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performance Iqbaal Ramadhan’s portrayal of Ali is widely praised for its emotional range and relatability, grounding the film’s more dramatic moments.
- Engaging ensemble chemistry The interactions between Ali and the group of Indonesian women in New York, particularly Nirina Zubir’s character, add warmth and humor to the story.
- Balanced tone The mix of comedy and drama is well-received, offering both laughs and heartfelt moments without feeling forced.
- Fresh cultural perspective The film’s exploration of Indonesian identity and diaspora in New York resonates with audiences looking for something different from typical coming-of-age stories.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar coming-of-age tropes, which some viewers find unoriginal and lacking in surprises.
- Uneven pacing Certain segments of the film drag, particularly in the middle, making the overall experience feel slightly disjointed.
- Underdeveloped side characters While the ensemble is enjoyable, some supporting characters lack depth and feel like caricatures rather than fully realized individuals.
Recommended for
Coming-of-age story lovers Fans of emotional comedies Indonesian cinema enthusiasts Iqbaal Ramadhan admirers Diaspora-themed films Lighthearted drama seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens: A Comedy-Drama with Heart and Humor
Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens (2021), directed by Lucky Kuswandi, is an Indonesian comedy-drama that blends family drama with sharp wit. The film follows Ali, a teenager who travels from Jakarta to New York City after his father’s death to reconnect with his estranged mother, only to find himself entangled in the chaotic lives of a group of Indonesian women—dubbed the "Ratu Queens"—who become his unlikely family 
. latestnetflix.com's read is that while the movie has earned praise for its fresh take on identity and belonging, behind-the-scenes details reveal a production that balanced humor, heart, and a few unexpected challenges.
A Director’s Vision: Lucky Kuswandi on Female-Centric Storytelling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDyM-k5LpGE
Lucky Kuswandi, known for his nuanced storytelling, has never shied away from exploring complex themes. In Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens, he centers the narrative on a group of strong, flawed women—each navigating their own struggles in a foreign land. In a discussion with co-writer Gina S. Noer, Kuswandi emphasized the importance of talking about women’s experiences, particularly in a film that blends comedy and drama . The director’s approach was to let the characters’ quirks and contradictions drive the humor, rather than relying on slapstick or stereotypes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2BqC50LnI
The film’s tone—equal parts heartfelt and hilarious—reflects Kuswandi’s ability to balance emotional depth with levity. While the evidence doesn’t detail specific behind-the-scenes conflicts, the chemistry among the cast suggests a collaborative set where improvisation may have played a role in shaping the film’s natural, conversational style .
Iqbaal Ramadhan: From Teen Idol to Leading Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW71oR8LZE4
For Iqbaal Ramadhan, the film marked a significant step in his transition from teen idol to serious actor. Known for his role in Dilan 1990 (2018), Ramadhan took on the role of Ali, a character navigating grief, cultural displacement, and the chaos of his mother’s eccentric friends. Early reactions to his performance were mixed—some fans playfully teased his delivery, while others praised his ability to hold his own alongside a powerhouse ensemble .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl6to9XVpw8
The film’s trailer and promotional material leaned into Ramadhan’s star power, positioning him as the emotional anchor of the story . While there’s no confirmation of on-set tension, the pressure of carrying a film with such a strong supporting cast—including veterans like Nirina Zubir and Tika Panggabean—likely pushed Ramadhan to deliver a more mature performance.
The "Ratu Queens": A Sisterhood of Chaos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQF8F91gcM
The heart of the film lies in its ensemble of women, each bringing their own brand of humor and pathos to the story. Nirina Zubir plays Ali’s mother, a woman whose past decisions come back to haunt her, while Asri Welas, Tika Panggabean, and Happy Salma play her friends—each with their own secrets and struggles. The dynamic among the cast was a highlight for critics, with one reviewer calling it "the best Indonesian movie we’ve seen this year" .
Behind the scenes, the chemistry among the actresses appears to have been organic. While there’s no direct evidence of rehearsal processes or improvisation, the natural flow of their interactions suggests a comfortable, playful set. The film’s soundtrack, including the song "On My Own" from the Netflix release, adds an emotional layer that complements the women’s journeys .
Netflix and the Push for Indonesian Stories
Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens was picked up by Netflix, giving it a global platform and introducing Indonesian cinema to a wider audience. The streaming giant’s involvement likely brought additional resources, though the evidence doesn’t specify how this impacted production. What’s clear is that the film’s success—both critically and commercially—has helped elevate Indonesian stories in the international market .
The Verdict: A Film Worth Talking About
While behind-the-scenes drama is minimal, Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens stands out for its sharp writing, strong performances, and Kuswandi’s ability to blend humor with poignant storytelling. The film’s reception suggests it struck a chord with audiences, particularly for its portrayal of female friendship and the immigrant experience.
If there’s one takeaway from the production, it’s that the magic of the movie lies in its ensemble. The "Ratu Queens" aren’t just supporting characters—they’re the soul of the story, and their chemistry is what makes the film unforgettable.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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