Burning Up the Screen: GJLS: Berapi-Api Arrives with Heart, Action, and Unfiltered Comedy
There is a unique alchemy to ensemble comedy – the kind that relies less on pristine scripting and more on the raw, unpredictable chemistry of its performers. When Rigen Rakelna, Ananta Rispo, and Hifdzi Khoir – collectively known as the comedy group GJLS – first brought their absurd, chaotic energy to mainstream audiences, they carved out a distinct space in Indonesia’s contemporary pop culture. Today, November 5th 2026, the trio returns to nationwide theaters with GJLS: Berapi-Api, a project that aims to channel that familiar madness into a bigger, warmer, and more cinematic vessel.
Produced by Amadeus Sinemagna alongside GJLS Entertainment, GJLS: Berapi-Api expands the trio’s comedic scope. Under the direction of veteran filmmaker Monty Tiwa, the sequel trades simple sketch-like beats for a grounded story centered on camaraderie, ambition, and unintended heroism.
Firefighters in Training, Chaos in Practice
The narrative follows Rigen, Hifdzi, and Rispo as three lifelong best friends driven by a shared dream: joining the elite “Algojo Api” firefighting squad to prove their heroics. However, reality falls short of their heroic ambitions. After failing the rigorous physical training, they find themselves sidelined in the service division, relegated to trivial daily chores.
Desperate to fast-track their way into the main squad, the trio takes a reckless shortcut – a decision that backfires spectacularly, pulling them out of administrative duty and straight into a high-stakes confrontation with a criminal syndicate to rescue a group of children.
A More Complete, Family-Friendly Formula
Where many comedy sequels simply double down on shock value or recycled gags, GJLS: Berapi-Api shifts toward narrative emotional weight. The filmmakers have consciously crafted a story intended for a broader audience, bridging the gap between niche comedy fans and family moviegoers.
“From the beginning, we wanted to bring something new from GJLS for Berapi-Api. It’s not just about delivering non-stop jokes anymore, but grounding it in a story that feels closer to all of us,” shares Rigen Rakelna.
For Ananta Rispo, the core remains straightforward: “At its heart, this film is about friendship. We wanted to take the dynamic we’ve shared for years and capture it on the big screen.”
Industry peers have echoed that sentiment following early screenings. Indonesian comedy icon Indro Warkop praised the project as a more complete cinematic package, noting its balance between genuine humor and emotional substance. Comedian and director Soleh Solihun highlighted the film’s elevated visual pacing and punchlines, while Imam Darto noted that despite the higher production stakes, the trio’s signature blend of endearing foolishness remains fully intact.
Cast and Release Details
Alongside the core trio, GJLS: Berapi-Api features a diverse ensemble cast spanning film, television, and digital media, including Carissa Perusset, Aurra Kharisma, Indira Ayu Maharani (Inayma), Ebel Cobra, Grace Emmanuela, Yono Bakrie, Nigel Siwabessy, Rio Dumatubun, and Sadha Triyudha.
GJLS: Berapi-Api is now screening nationwide across Cinema XXI, CGV, Cinépolis, and independent theater chains. Tickets can be booked through major online platforms including M-TIX and TIX ID.
Also read: The Thousand Faces of Cannes: Notes from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
Shahriza Rijadi
Riza is an engineer with a soft spot for horror-comedies, a genre pairing he finds particularly fun for its oddball mix of humor, scares, and unexpected perspectives. His current favorites? The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) and Tropic Thunder (2008).