The pluck and perseverance of young Ali is admirable, sometimes more admirable than the movie itself.

Am I late for just watching this now? Hahaha. This week I’ve been going through a bunch of films on Netflix, and I suddenly remembered this one it’s been on my watchlist for a while but I never got around to it. So I figured, why not now? Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens comes with a premise that immediately caught my attention, especially with its focus on the relationship between a child and their mother, and the meaning of family. The film is enjoyable and heartfelt, although some moments feel a bit flat emotionally even though they had the potential to hit much harder. I really liked the soundtrack; it blends naturally with the scenes and never feels forced. Batara Goempar’s cinematography is also beautiful, capturing the atmosphere of New York through a laptop screen in a way that still feels vivid—showing off the city’s buildings, streets, and overall vibe. However, despite the conflicts being set up quite well, they feel like they’re resolved too quickly. For me, the 1 hour 40 minute runtime isn’t quite enough. The resolution comes across as rushed, which weakens the emotional payoff.

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