The Siege at Thorn High (original Indonesian title: Pengepungan di Bukit Duri) is a 2025 Indonesian dystopian action-thriller film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Joko Anwar. <\/p>\n
It was produced by Come and See Pictures in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios and became a major hit, drawing over 1.8 million viewers during its theatrical run in Indonesia before streaming globally on Prime Video starting August 15, 2025.<\/p>\n
SynopsisThe story opens with a harrowing flashback to the May 1998 riots in Indonesia, a real historical period of civil unrest and targeted violence against ethnic Chinese Indonesians. <\/p>\n
A teenage girl (Silvi) is brutally assaulted by a mob during the chaos, witnessed by her younger brother, Edwin. <\/p>\n
The assault results in pregnancy, and Silvi gives birth to a son but later gives him up.<\/p>\n
Years later, in a near-future 2027 where anti-Chinese discrimination remains deeply entrenched and society has grown even more chaotic, an adult Edwin (played by Morgan Oey) is haunted by his sister’s dying wish: to find and protect her lost child, now a teenager. <\/p>\n
To fulfill this promise, Edwin takes a job as a substitute teacher at Bukit Duri Senior High School (translated as Thorn High or Duri Hill High), a notorious institution for troubled and delinquent students in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
At the school, Edwin navigates a hostile environment filled with violent, prejudiced students and systemic tensions. <\/p>\n
He faces constant danger as a Chinese Indonesian teacher while quietly searching for clues about his nephew among the student body. <\/p>\n
When he finally identifies the teen, a new riot erupts, trapping Edwin, his nephew, and others inside the school. <\/p>\n
What follows is a brutal siege of survival, as they must fight against a mob of violent students fueled by hatred and chaos in a claustrophobic, high-stakes battle.<\/p>\n
The film blends intense action sequences, visceral violence, and social commentary, drawing parallels to real events while exploring themes of lingering racism, inherited prejudice, trauma, redemption, and the cycle of hatred in society. <\/p>\n
It’s often described as unflinching, emotionally heavy, and adrenaline-pumping, with strong performances (especially Morgan Oey) and gripping direction that mixes thriller elements with historical reflection.<\/p>\n
If you’re into intense, socially charged thrillers like those from Joko Anwar’s other works (e.g., Impetigore or Satan’s Slaves), this one stands out for its bold handling of sensitive Indonesian history. It’s available on Prime Video.