Indonesia was supposed to celebrate its Independence Day with a dose of animated pride. Instead, it got a film that netizens are calling everything from “a national embarrassment” to “the worst movie ever made.”
Yes, we’re talking about Merah Putih One For All, the animated movie that hit theaters on August 14, 2025. Billed as a patriotic adventure for the whole family, it has instead turned into one of the most controversial pop culture events of the year.
From Anticipation to Awkward Silence
Before release, the trailer already caused waves. People were shocked at how clunky the animation looked, especially after hearing the reported budget of around Rp 6.7 billion (about $400,000). Many thought the final version would be better.
Spoiler alert it wasn’t.
Once the film dropped, audience reactions were brutal. Social media lit up with jokes, memes, and harsh reviews. Some even wondered out loud if the whole thing was a prank.
The Harsh IMDb Reality
Things got uglier when the film landed on IMDb, the global database for movies. Ratings? A jaw-dropping 1 out of 10 stars as of August 19, 2025. That’s not just bad. That’s “so-bad-it’s-a-record” bad.
One reviewer, with the username imdbfan-4069471596, didn’t hold back.
“One For All, yes we all agree this film deserves One. No explanation needed, just watch the trailer. A nightmare. Honestly, even a first-year animation student’s homework looks better than this.”
Another review cut even deeper. The user dedekurniawan-58791 wrote,
“This is not a film. This is brainrot in video form. Animation bad. Sound bad. Plot bad. Everything bad. If you’re human, believe me when I say this will make you uncomfortable.”
And the hits just kept coming.
What The Film Was Supposed to Be
On paper, Merah Putih: One For All sounds like a solid patriotic story. Directed by Endiarto and Bintang, the film tells the tale of eight kids from different regions of Indonesia who form “Tim Merah Putih.” Their mission? To protect the sacred national flag before the Independence Day ceremony.
The twist comes when the flag disappears three days before the big event. Cue teamwork, adventure, and a race to save Indonesia’s pride.
Sounds inspiring, right? Unfortunately, execution is everything — and audiences felt like they got served a half-baked dish.
The Internet Turns Savage
Once the reviews started spreading, memes and hot takes exploded. Indonesian Twitter and TikTok became ground zero for sarcastic takes.
- “Merah Putih One For All feels like watching a PowerPoint presentation gone wrong.”
- “Rp 6.7 billion? Someone call KPK, this needs an investigation.”
- “I watched this so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.”
Others started comparing it to Jumbo, another local animated film that once surprised everyone with decent visuals and storytelling. Side by side, One For All didn’t stand a chance.
The Patriotism Card Didn’t Save It
You’d think a story tied to Independence Day would win people over. Patriotism is powerful, after all. But even that couldn’t soften the blows.
Viewers argued that the clumsy animation and awkward voice acting stripped away any emotional weight the film tried to deliver. Instead of feeling proud, many walked out of theaters cringing.
As one viral comment put it, “The flag was lost in the movie. But our respect for this production was lost in real life.”
Is It Really The Worst Movie Ever Made
Calling something “the worst movie ever” might sound like exaggeration, but the ratings and comments paint a clear picture. Audiences aren’t just disappointed — they’re angry.
Some critics compared it to an unfinished student project. Others said it looked like the animators ran out of time and just hit “export” halfway through.
And then there’s the fact that Indonesia has been hungry for a homegrown animated hit. After successes like Jumbo, expectations were high. Instead, One For All feels like a huge step backward.
Where Did Rp 6.7 Billion Go
The budget became the center of conspiracy-level debates online. People can’t wrap their heads around how that much money resulted in something so unpolished.
“Rp 6.7 billion for this? Even Blender tutorials on YouTube look better,” one user joked.
Others speculated that the funds may have been mismanaged, or that the production simply didn’t have the right expertise. Whatever the reason, audiences weren’t buying it.
Lessons From This Animated Mess
If there’s one takeaway from this fiasco, it’s that audiences won’t hold back. With social media amplifying every reaction, filmmakers can’t hide behind marketing or patriotic themes. The product has to deliver.
For Indonesian animation, this feels like both a setback and a wake-up call. There’s talent in the country, as other projects have proven. But Merah Putih: One For All shows what happens when execution doesn’t match ambition.
Fans Still Want To Support Local Animation
Here’s the silver lining. Even in the middle of roasting, many viewers said they still want to support local animation — they just expect better.
“Indonesia deserves a real animated masterpiece. We know our creators can do it. This one just wasn’t it,” one fan tweeted.
It’s tough love, but maybe exactly what the industry needs to raise its game.
Merah Putih One For All Becomes The Most Talked About Animated Disaster in Indonesia
Merah Putih: One For All was meant to unite Indonesians with a story of teamwork and patriotism. Instead, it united them in memes, sarcasm, and some of the harshest reviews you’ll see all year.
Whether you call it a flop, a meme, or a national embarrassment, one thing’s for sure — everyone’s talking about it. And in today’s viral culture, that makes it unforgettable in its own weird way.
Maybe years from now, this film will be remembered as a cult comedy instead of a patriotic drama. For now, it sits at the bottom of IMDb with a lonely one-star rating and a mountain of roasted popcorn reviews.
So, should you watch it? If you love chaos, maybe yes. If you want quality, you might want to stick with literally anything else.
