‘Nightmares and Daydreams’ Fuses Jakarta’s Social Ills With the Supernatural

The Indonesian series by Joko Anwar reveals the horror of a spirit-filled world without a savior.

Indonesia is an enchanted culture full of folklore involving ghosts, demons, and djinns (shape-shifting spirits from Arabian and Muslim mythology).

These stories usually involve a moral of some kind: Do not leave a house unattended, for this invites the dwelling of demons. Always respect the elderly, lest they return to haunt you. Settle squabbles within your family, or their spirit...