Episode 6 of "Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams," entitled "Hypnotized," plunges into the murky waters of desperation and the dire repercussions of moral concessions. Ali, a colorblind individual perpetually at the mercy of societal prejudice and repeatedly shut out from employment opportunities, finds himself ensnared in a tangled web of manipulation, fueled by his unwavering commitment to provide for his family.
The episode unfolds with Ali's initial encounter with the stark realities of prejudice against his colorblindness, which lays the groundwork for his vulnerability to Iwan, a duplicitous neighbor who introduces him to the murky depths of hypnotism. Initially, Ali balks at the notion of stealing, but the relentless weight of financial strain and Iwan's persistent coaxing gradually chip away at his resolve, like waves eroding a cliff's edge.
Desperation takes hold of Ali, leading him to hypnotize an elderly woman at an ATM, stealing her money to alleviate the hardships gripping his family. However, these ill-gotten gains serve as a poignant catalyst for a relentless downward spiral, slowly eroding the moral fabric within his household.
Ningsih, Ali's wife, embarks on a path of justifying these improper gains, rationalizing them as necessary evils for their family's survival. Their children, Ayu and Hendra, are inadvertently exposed to a warped perception of right and wrong, mirroring their parents' compromised behavior, creating a distorted moral landscape within their home.
Initially petrified by the ramifications of his deeds, Ali finds himself ensnared in a relentless cycle of guilt and trepidation. The fleeting sense of financial security he stole transforms into a harrowing nightmare orchestrated by Mrs. Dewi, the victim of his theft. Ali becomes helplessly enmeshed in Mrs. Dewi's mesmerizing web, relentlessly reliving his transgressions through recurring nightmares that pierce his soul.
He bears witness to the gradual erosion of his family's moral fiber, their insatiable greed escalating to a harrowing spectacle where Ayu, driven to desperation, attempts to inflict harm upon her own siblings. The episode's climactic moment is a chilling delve into self-awareness and the formidable power of one's will. Mrs. Dewi, embodying the specter of Ali's conscience, compels him to confront his moral deficiencies head-on. Within the confines of his hypnotic trance, Ali is subjected to a series of trials that force him to grapple with his guilt and yearn for redemption with every fiber of his being.
Ultimately, through sheer willpower and determination, Ali shatters the hypnotic shackles that bound him. Yet, his victory is tinged with bittersweet sorrow. Mrs. Dewi unveils a clandestine agenda, enlisting Ali in a mysterious mission cloaked in the noble pretense of saving humanity. "Hypnotized" leaves viewers with a lingering sense of unease, as Ali, though liberated from one form of servitude, remains ensnared within a vaster, potentially even more sinister entanglement.
This episode stands as a cautionary tale, illuminating the destructive effects of desperation and the blurred boundaries separating morality from survival. It prompts us to ponder the choices we might make in the face of adversity and the potentially dire consequences of succumbing to the seductive lure of an expedient solution.
