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If you look at Omara Esteghlal's filmography, it seems there are two reasons directors trust him. First, he is the kind of actor who can add depth to what might otherwise be a rudimentary archetype character. Second, despite being only 25, he brings a level of psychological nuance that grounds even the most tormented roles.
It is no surprise, then, that film director and writer Joko Anwar tapped Omara to co-lead Pengepungan di Bukit Duri (The Siege at Thorn High) with fellow actor Morgan Oey.
It is a role that requires talent, heart and intellect.
Even Omara frames his character as “a moral and philosophical commentary. I don’t think we have the compass to point out what ‘evil’ looks like.”
Out of the limbo
The St. Olaf College alum made his feature film acting debut at age 11 in Rudi Soedjarwo’s 5 Elang (Five Eagles, 2011).
Though it might appear to be a solid first step, Omara said the film didn't inspire him to pursue a career in acting. Neither did his supporting role in Dilan 1990 (2018).
"I was quite indifferent to the world of acting," he recalls.
"I didn't hate it, but it wasn't love either. I liked it, but not so much that I wanted to turn [acting] into my life."
That changed with Kadet 1947 (Cadet 1947, 2021), a war drama where he starred alongside Marthino Lio and Chicco Kurniawan.
"On set, I was exposed to [actors] who didn't talk about acting as something as elementary as portraying a character. Instead, they talked about the effect that acting can have on people," he says.
"Yes, I like movies. We all like movies. But it doesn't mean that a character should merely be dissected in a certain way. Forgive me for the crassness, but they [his costars in Kadet 1947] brought out the 'sexiness' of acting […] the 'sexiness' of turning a character into something that can belong to everyone."
And yes, he is aware of the irony of discovering his life's calling during the pandemic, while the rest of the world did not know what to do with their lives.
The last couple of years were an intriguing phase in Omara's career.
On one hand, his supporting turn in Andragogy (2023) earned him critical acclaim and his first Citra Award nomination.
On the other hand, his other films, such as Balada Si Roy (The Ballads of Roy, 2023), Galaksi (Galaxy, 2023) and Ali Topan (2024), had him stuck in the limbo of sidekick roles.
Omara recognizes that phase for what it was, part of the process.
"Do I expect more in terms of what I think could offer [as an actor]? Obviously. Sometimes I'd think that if I were given more challenges, I could've given them a try," he ponders.
"But sometimes, as a 'sidekick' or the third or fourth in line [on a film's call sheet], you can't. You have to give the stage to someone else. In those moments, I felt like, 'Well, in that film specifically, fine, I'll do it. But going forward, I dream of more.’"
Into the belly of the beast
Omara's dream came true this year, starting with his leading turn in Pengepungan di Bukit Duri.
Omara stars as Jefri, a high school student seething with rage in a slightly futuristic, parallel version of Jakarta, where anti-Chinese sentiment has flared up in the wake of a bloody, not entirely implausible past.
From start to finish, Jefri is a beast. But Omara imbues his fury with nuance and humanity. There are moments when Jefri unexpectedly shows grief, carefully hidden behind a veneer of rage.
Perhaps due to his educational background in psychology and philosophy, Omara understands that there is a symbiosis between anger and anguish.
"The idea is that Jefri has a moral compass in him. In this case, grief exists because he betrays his moral compass, even though everybody else does the same," Omara explains.
"He lives in chaos, and what he always sees is chaos."
Omara’s interpretation taps into the timeless nature-versus-nurture debate. What shapes our failings? Do we start with a blank slate? And does context excuse behavior?
These are always tough conversations to have, but Omara, as an actor, is not afraid to dive into the belly of the beast.
"Jefri craves superiority because he wants to be somebody," Omara continues.
"Ultimately, that's what everyone wants. In Jefri's case, he was brought up in an environment of anarchy and hatred. But, he's still human, he understands how disgusting it is to hurt others."
So, is Jefri evil?
"Yes […] Because we define 'evil' based on the examples that we have,” Omara says.
“The thing is, we shouldn’t define something based on examples alone."
On the other side
Pengepungan di Bukit Duri puts Omara in beast mode. But his next film, Tinggal Meninggal, will reveal another side entirely.
He describes his upcoming role as “an outlier,” and the film itself as “a sitcom in the truest sense. Literally, a situational comedy.”
At this point, more filmmakers are beginning to see what Omara can do. And by the end of this year, the public might too. Not just as a promising actor, but as a multifaceted leading man.
