Ferdy Sambo Case Adapted into Documentary ‘The General's Scenario’ Re-examines Death of Brigadier J
The premeditated murder case of Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, also known as Brigadier J, has returned to public discourse following its adaptation into a documentary titled ‘The General’s Scenario’. The production is officially set to premiere on Netflix on 18 September 2026, inviting viewers to re-examine the case that profoundly shook Indonesia in 2022.
Directed by Rob Sixsmith, the documentary focuses on the death of Brigadier J, which implicated the former Head of the National Police’s Internal Affairs Division, Ferdy Sambo. What was initially reported as a shootout at Sambo’s official residence later evolved into a premeditated murder case, accompanied by revelations of a conspiracy to cover up the true facts of the incident.
Utilising news archives, old recordings, and interviews with several figures connected to the case, ‘The General’s Scenario’ reconstructs the journey of the legal proceedings. The narrative does not only centre on Ferdy Sambo but also depicts the struggle of the victim’s family in seeking clarity regarding Yosua’s death.
Rob Sixsmith is no stranger to crime documentaries that capture the attention of the Indonesian public. He was previously involved in the documentary ‘Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso’, which examined the death of Wayan Mirna Salihin.
On this occasion, Sixsmith tackles the Ferdy Sambo case, which has had a long-running saga and became a national spotlight. The case involved several police officers and raised significant public questions regarding the investigation and handling of the matter.
The documentary opens with a series of news archives from 2022, when news of Brigadier J’s death first emerged. The grief of the victim’s family is also featured, including footage of Rosti Simanjuntak, Yosua’s mother, weeping before her son’s coffin.
‘The General’s Scenario’ does not rely solely on old news clips to reconstruct the events of Brigadier J’s murder. The film also features interviews with several sources connected to the case.
Rosti Simanjuntak serves as one of the key figures providing the perspective of the victim’s family. Her testimony allows viewers to witness the impact of the tragedy on Yosua’s family, who have demanded clarity regarding their son’s death since the beginning.