Starring Aurora Ribero, Gabriella Ekaputri, and Rey Bong, the upcoming BASE Entertainment film explores workplace competition, career pressure, and the struggles of young people navigating the realities of the working world.

JAKARTA — Landing your first job is challenging enough, but what happens when six young employees must compete for just one permanent position? That’s the central premise of Lagi Probation: Kerja Ngejar Apa Sih?, the latest film from BASE Entertainment, which is set to arrive in Indonesian cinemas on November 12, 2026.

Directed by Archie Hekagery, the film follows six job candidates navigating the pressures of a probation period, where professional ambitions, personal struggles, and workplace rivalries collide.

Adapted from the book of the same name by Samuel Ray, the film explores issues that resonate with many young Indonesians entering the workforce. From the difficulty of securing employment and the pressure to achieve career success to growing financial responsibilities, Lagi Probation: Kerja Ngejar Apa Sih? offers a relatable look at the challenges of building a career in today’s world.

Produced by Shanty Harmayn and Aoura Lovenson Chandra, the film promises more than an office drama. It is also a story about friendship, self-worth, empathy, and the importance of staying human while chasing professional ambitions.

A Story for Anyone Struggling to Find Their Place in the Working World

For producer Shanty Harmayn, the film was inspired by the real-life experiences and stories of job seekers featured in Samuel Ray’s book.

She believes that searching for employment and building a career can often feel like a lonely journey, with many people struggling to navigate professional challenges on their own.

Through this film, the production team hopes to offer a sense of companionship and reassurance to audiences going through similar experiences.

“The journey can feel quite lonely. You often feel like you’re fighting on your own. That’s why we wanted to make this film, so people have something to accompany them. Hopefully, this film can embrace you and remind you that you’re not alone, that you don’t have to go through the struggle by yourself,” Shanty said during a press conference on November 5, 2026.

She also emphasized that the story goes beyond the competition for a permanent position. Each character has their own personal struggles and vulnerabilities, reflecting the human side of working life.

According to Shanty, failure and rejection in the workplace should not be seen as the end of one’s journey. Instead, the film aims to deliver a message of hope to anyone feeling exhausted by career pressures and today’s economic challenges.

Meet the Six Characters Battling for One Permanent Position

One of the film’s main attractions is its ensemble cast, featuring six characters with different personalities, backgrounds, and approaches to professional life.

Each character represents a different perspective on the challenges of entering the workforce.

• Bintang (Aurora Ribero) is the eldest child in her family, carrying significant financial responsibilities while constantly trying to make the people around her happy. Her journey reflects the pressure of balancing personal ambitions with family expectations.
• Claudia (Gabriella Ekaputri) is an ambitious career-driven individual who prioritizes professional achievements, sometimes at the expense of meaningful friendships and social connections.
• Damai (Lutfi Afansyah) represents an employee with limited professional skills but an impressive ability to navigate corporate conversations using workplace jargon.
• Velma (Arafah Rianti) embodies someone trying to survive and find her footing amid the harsh realities of competition and everyday struggles.
• Bima (Rey Bong) is ambitious and opportunistic, always looking for ways to get ahead in the competitive workplace environment.
• Mika (Daffa Wardhana) comes from a wealthy family but wants to prove that he can succeed professionally without relying on his family’s privilege.

Together, their different personalities create a workplace dynamic filled with competition, misunderstandings, and unexpected connections.

For Aurora Ribero, playing Bintang also became an opportunity to reflect on personal growth, courage, and self-confidence.

She particularly highlighted the importance of establishing healthy boundaries in professional environments.

“You have to be careful in the workplace. You can’t be too naive. You need to be strong when it comes to maintaining your boundaries,” Aurora shared.

Her character’s experiences reflect an important reminder for young professionals: pursuing career success should not mean compromising personal values or well-being.

Behind the Scenes: Researching the Realities of Office Life

Bringing an authentic workplace environment to the screen presented a unique challenge for director Archie Hekagery.

As someone who does not belong to Generation Z and has never experienced working in a conventional office environment, Archie admitted that the project introduced him to a world he was not particularly familiar with.

To ensure the story felt realistic, Archie and his production team conducted extensive research before filming.

They visited several offices, spoke with human resources professionals from different companies, and interviewed employees who were currently going through probation periods.

The team even experienced the daily commute of office workers firsthand by taking Jakarta’s KRL commuter trains during rush hour.

These efforts helped the filmmakers understand the routines, pressures, and everyday experiences of employees, allowing them to portray office life with greater authenticity.

Screenwriter Rifki Ardisha also explained that the adaptation involved translating the core values of Samuel Ray’s book into relatable characters and situations.

Rather than making the film feel like a workplace seminar, the team wanted its messages to emerge naturally through the characters’ experiences.

One of the central themes, according to Rifki, is the importance of remembering one’s humanity while pursuing personal ambitions.

“Sometimes, as we move forward in life, we forget that we also need to be human,” Rifki said.

This message forms the emotional foundation of the film, reminding audiences that professional achievements should never come at the expense of empathy and compassion.

Samuel Ray Hopes the Film Will Educate Fresh Graduates

The original book’s author, Samuel Ray, shared that Lagi Probation began with something simple: conversations with people seeking advice about the working world.

While working as an HR professional, Samuel frequently received questions through social media about CV writing, job interviews, and how to secure employment.

He eventually created an online space where people could share their workplace concerns, ask questions, and seek guidance about navigating their careers.

Those conversations and real-life experiences later developed into content and eventually became the book that inspired this film adaptation.

Through the big-screen version, Samuel hopes to reach an even wider audience, particularly fresh graduates who are just beginning their professional journeys.

He wants young viewers to understand their rights as employees, recognize their own professional value, and maintain empathy toward others.

“Through this film, I hope fresh graduates will become more aware of their rights as workers, learn to appreciate their own value, and continue to prioritize empathy as human beings,” Samuel said in a press statement.

The message is especially relevant for young people navigating an increasingly competitive job market, where career expectations and financial pressures can sometimes overshadow personal well-being.

Supported by CIMB Niaga, Bringing Stories of Young Professionals to the Big Screen

The film also receives support from PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga), whose involvement aligns with the company’s commitment to supporting younger generations as they build their futures and pursue their aspirations.

Produced by BASE Entertainment, Lagi Probation: Kerja Ngejar Apa Sih? brings together workplace comedy, personal drama, and social commentary in a story that reflects the realities of modern professional life.

With its relatable characters and themes of ambition, rejection, financial pressure, and self-discovery, the film offers a reminder that everyone’s career journey looks different.

After all, getting a permanent job may be the goal, but learning to value yourself, build meaningful relationships, and stay true to who you are might be just as important.

Mark your calendar! Lagi Probation: Kerja Ngejar Apa Sih? officially opens in Indonesian cinemas on November 12, 2026.

For the latest updates, follow the film’s official Instagram accounts at @filmlagiprobation and @base.id