The rise of digital streaming has changed our movie habits. With more people wanting to watch stuff online, the debate about the ethics, reach and quality of websites like LK21 grows louder too.
We quote the example of LK21 because it is now a top spot for Indonesian fans who love movies. It has lots of movies with Indonesian subtitles that are all free in full HD. LK21 started due to more demand for local content. It soon turned into a go-to website for blockbuster movies. It has lots of movie genres—classic tales or big hits. It’s easy to use and find both new and old movies on the platform.
The Indonesian subtitles make such websites accessible to more people. Subtitles help those who may not know the foreign languages, as they can enjoy movies made in foreign languages and get a full feel of the storyline. In Indonesia—where more people want to watch global films—this is a big factor in contributing to increased engagement on these websites.
Yet, the nature of these websites has issues. The free stuff draws people in, but some question if it’s morally right and legal by any standards. By not using the usual ways to share movies, critics say that such websites harm the industry of filmmaking and ultimately decrease the profits of film producers and rights-holders.
Critics do acknowledge the need for free access to movies, but they stress that we must think of the revenue that film producers and rights-holders miss out on.
Websites like LK21 also face big content streaming sites that have similar stuff but charge a subscription fee. Sites like Netflix and Disney+ offer a huge genre of movies and are known to be safe, but these can cost too much for some. Here, LK21’s no-cost access fills a niche in Indonesia’s big digital space as it draws those who want more access, fewer rules and zero subscription fee.
This easy access keeps users engaged with sites similar to LK21, even with debates on whether free access to movies is right in light of the very principle of legality. Ironically, fans watch movies online now and post their reviews online as well. This is making a fan base that thrives on free movies without going to a cinema hall. It is this very culture that is concerning for the stakeholders in the filmmaking industry.
In short, the emergence of websites like LK21 has stirred a hot debate in Indonesia’s film industry. So, these websites face stiff resistance for providing free access to high-definition and subtitled movies.
However, with fans keen on watching new content without paying a subscription fee or leaving the comfort of their homes to visit cinema halls, the ongoing debate on illegal film streaming and the interests of rights-holders is not having much impact on how people like to watch movies now, and so, movie-watching habits continue to evolve in Indonesia.
