Plot
Jonathan is Indonesian photographer who live in Zagreb, Croatia. He lives an unhealthy lifestyle, marked by frequent smoking, regular alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, and never doing exercise. One morning, he is startled by the sudden appearance of a woman named Sore in his bedroom. Sore claims to be Jonathan’s wife from the future. Unsurprisingly, Jonathan does not believe her and assumes she has been sent by Karlo, a friend and agent who helps connect him with people interested in his work. Jonathan attempts to drive her away, but Sore continues to follow him wherever he goes. Jonathan later meets his girlfriend, Elsa, at an outdoor café. During their conversation about Elsa’s plan to move to Madrid and her invitation for Jonathan to go with her, Sore approaches them and introduces herself as Jonathan’s wife, claiming that they are married in Indonesia. Enraged, Elsa throws her drink at Jonathan and leaves. Sore continues to follow Jonathan until he returns home. Having exhausted his efforts to make her leave, Jonathan finally agrees to talk to her. To Jonathan’s surprise, Sore knows even the smallest details of his life, including his bad habits and secrets known only to him, which gradually softens his attitude toward her.
In the days that follow, Sore persistently pushes Jonathan to adopt a healthier lifestyle: she throws away his cigarettes and alcohol, forces him to go jogging in the mornings, and regulates his sleep schedule. At first, Jonathan feels deeply annoyed, but over time he begins to yield to the genuine care and affection Sore shows him. Their relationship gradually grows closer, and Jonathan no longer sees Sore merely as a outsider. One night, unable to sleep, Jonathan secretly goes outside, takes out a cigarette he had hidden, and smokes it. Sore, who is also awake, immediately orders him to throw it away and then decides to reset time. Sore awakens once again beside Jonathan, exactly as on the first day, when Jonathan has not yet met her. It is revealed that Sore has repeated this process many times before, trapped in a time loop.
Sore has come to the past with a very specific purpose: to prevent Jonathan from dying in the future. She explains that in the future Jonathan dies from a chronic illness caused by his unhealthy lifestyle. Sore seeks to alter history so that they can grow old together. In subsequent time loops, Sore continues to try various methods to make Jonathan disciplined and compliant with the healthy lifestyle she imposes, but each attempt ends in failure. In one time loop, Sore discovers photographs with Jonathan’s handwritten notes on the back, revealing his disappointment and resentment toward his father—feelings that explain why Jonathan has been living in Croatia all this time. After learning this, Sore begins to repeat the time loop with a new focus: guiding Jonathan toward reconciliation with his father. However, each successive loop grows shorter, and Sore is never able to bring Jonathan to meet his father. Before the loop can no longer repeat, Sore leaves Jonathan a final message, urging him not to forget her.
Jonathan eventually wakes up alone, with Sore no longer beside him. He meets Elsa and decides to end their relationship. He also confides in Karlo, expressing a sense of longing for something he cannot fully understand. Jonathan then begins to completely transform his lifestyle: he gives up alcohol and cigarettes, exercises regularly, and resolves to reconcile with his father. He returns to Jakarta and remains committed to maintaining a healthy way of life.
Years later, Jonathan finally holds his first photography exhibition in Jakarta. At the exhibition, a present-day version of Sore—who does not know Jonathan—arrives to view the displayed photographs. Jonathan notices her and feels a strong sense of familiarity, prompting him to approach her. While looking at a photograph of a seascape, Jonathan engages her in conversation and explains the artistic elements of the image. He then extends his hand to introduce himself, and as they touch, all the memories from the time loops suddenly return, leading them to embrace one another.
Production
In November 2024, it was announced that Yandy Laurens would direct and write a film adaptation of his web series, Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan. [2] The production of the film Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan was carried out in stages. According to an interview, the production process began in March 2024 and continued through February 2025. [3] In producing the film, Cerita Films received support from Slingshot Pictures, Imajinari Productions, Miles Films, Studio Artemis, Jagartha, Trinity Entertainment, and Dwidaya Amadeo Gemintang. Cerita Films also involved Melyana Tjahyadikarta, Queen Yeap, Agustinus Lee Martin, Ernest Prakasa, Mira Lesmana, Asim Kemas, Fx Iwan, Yonathan Nugroho, and Hotma Abigail Sirait as executive producers. In addition, Asri Welas, Maya Hasan, and Sulung Landung served as associate producers. [4]
Principal photography mainly took place in Zagreb and Grožnjan, Croatia, featuring old buildings and narrow streets that frequently appear throughout the film, while Bar Vero aModoMio was used for a scene in which Sore and Jonathan dine at an outdoor restaurant. Filming locations also included Jakarta, Indonesia and Finland. [5] [6] [7] It began in September and concluded in October 2024. [8]
The main poster, featuring a spiral staircase, was photographed at Artotel Thamrin Jakarta. [9]
