Sheriff: Narko Integriti

Sheriff: Narko Integriti (also known as Sheriff) is a 2024 Malaysian mystery action thriller film directed and screenplay by Syafiq Yusof based on story by his father, Yusof Haslam who also produced the film with co-produced and distributed by Skop Productions and Astro Shaw. Starring Zul Ariffin as the titular character, and co-starring Syafiq Kyle, Aaron Aziz, Elizabeth Tan and Azira Shafinaz.

The film ran its official photography for 81 days starting February to May 2023, right after the release of Polis Evo 3 including in Bandar Malaysia and Klang valley including Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

The film received huge positive reviews from critics and filmmaker for its direction, writing, casting, camera movement and plot twist. A sequel has already been planned by Syafiq after the box office success from this film.

Plot
Nazri, a young officer from the Narcotics Department feels that the problem of Tony Ifrit's methamphetamine drug syndicate is becoming more widespread and they often escape the grip of the law when going through the judgment process. Nazri decided to solve the problem himself. Meanwhile, Sheriff, an officer from the Integrity Department was sent by IGP to solve the Meth Killer's case. Sheriff and Nazri are assigned to be under one department. There is a possibility that the Meth Killer is in the Narcotics Department itself.

Main cast

 * Zul Ariffin as Sheriff / Sheriffuddin Hussein, an officer from the Integrity Department (equivalent to Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (ISCD) of the RMP) who caught other police officers who founds guilty of corruption
 * Mikael Noah as Young Sheriff
 * Syafiq Kyle as Nazri / Meth Killer, a young officer from the Narcotics Department and younger brother of Syazlin who do not believe in the law and act his own way.
 * Aaron Aziz as Tony Ifrit, a ruthless and dangerous methamphetamine drug kingpin
 * Elizabeth Tan as Jennifer Wong, a corrupt CID officer from the RMP and main rat of Tony Ifrit
 * Azira Shafinaz as Syazlin, a female officer from the Narcotics Department and older sister of Nazri
 * Amir Nafis as Farouk Mahmud, second rat of Tony Ifrit
 * Kodi Rasheed as Firdaus, a Malaysian Army veteran who was an informant to Nazri
 * Shaharuddin Thamby as Superintendent Malik, a corrupt head of the Narcotics Department who was killed by Nazri
 * Esma Daniel as Superintendent Roslan, head of the Integrity Department
 * Kamal Affandi Hashim as DSP Hafsham, Superintendent Malik's successor
 * Natasya Mahyan as Wani, Nazri's deceased fiancee, died at the hands of Tony and his gang after her cover was blown by the moles in the RMP
 * Hazama Azmi as Amirul Asyraff (cameo), a corrupt police officer who enabled illegal gambling activities
 * Azri Iskandar as Hussein Osman, Sheriff's father who was shot by police in the 80s (flashback)
 * Hasnul Rahmat as Syed Rahman, a corrupt Chief Judge of Malaya who receive bribe from Tony Ifrit
 * Zen Ng as Hong
 * Meynillen Thamil Selvan as Nagarajah
 * Siraj Alsagoff as Arkash, a police officer in the 80s who shot Sheriff's father

Additional casts

 * Azalizan Azaman as Faizal
 * Mohd Khairulanuar Zulkifli as Razak
 * Mohamad Fadhil Haniff as Kapak
 * Hazly Hassan as Tony's guard
 * Nizam Bahar as Tony's guard 2
 * Joannes Anak Mosas as Tony's guard 3
 * Akmal Asyraf as Tony's gang
 * Muhammad Azri Mokhtar as Tony's gang 2

Production
Sheriff: Narko Integriti is the third police-themed film directed by Syafiq Yusof after KL Special Force (2018) and Polis Evo 3 (2023). It marks the fourth collaboration between Syafiq and Zul Ariffin after Misteri Dilaila (2019), Penunggang Agama (2021) and Penunggang Agama 2 (2021). The other actors involved in this film are Syafiq Kyle, Azira Shafinaz, Elizabeth Tan, Aaron Aziz, Shaharuddin Thamby, Kodi Rasheed, Esma Daniel, Hazama Azmi and Azri Iskandar. Shaharuddin and Esma previously acted together in KL Special Force, while Elizabeth starred in Misteri Dilaila and Abang Long Fadil 3 (2022), both directed by Syafiq. This film is also a project between Syafiq Kyle and Azira Shafinaz together after they previously appeared in television series, including Married Tapi Benci (2016) and One Cent Thief (2022). The character, Tony Ifrit was originally intended to be cast as Azhan Rani, but was replaced by Aaron Aziz after being dropped from The Original Gangster (2024) due to some friction between Aaron and Syamsul Yusof. Aaron reveals that Syamsul told him to inject for losing weight at first place.

Syafiq added that he grew up watching police dramas and films, not just Gerak Khas but also Hollywood films such as Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. "'Sheriff is based on real police stories in the West as well as Hong Kong and back home. I made sure that we got a star-studded cast of talented and popular names.'" He also reveals that Syerif (Sheriff in Malay) was a working title for production.

The film's principal photography ran for 81 days around Klang Valley from February to May 2023, right after the release of Polis Evo 3, also directed by Syafiq. The film was released in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore cinema on 18 April 2024, a week after Eid al-Fitr.

Syafiq admitted that his father really liked the film he directed, but did not have the opportunity to show this film to his brother, Syamsul Yusof. Syafiq told Harian Metro that this was the hardest film he ever directed not because of PDRM, but LPF's action on the film once its completed.

In the trailer that uploaded, some people getting angry after shows "a whole" plot of the film, but Syafiq later deny it. He reveal that he decided to reveal the "Meth Killer" (portrayed by Syafiq Kyle) to use reversed concept of "Whodunnit" or "Howcatchem". He hopes that it can attracted audience to watch the film as it was Syafiq's first experimental with the concept.

Faizal Noar, who previsouly worked with Syafiq Yusof as assistant director for Abang Long Fadil 3 (2022) and Hassan Muthalib were mentioned in the film for "creating" the fictional film for Sheriff, titled Hujan di Kuala Lumpur (Rain in Kuala Lumpur), in which used as a evidence from Nazri for what he do on the night when he was asked by Sheriff.

Rating
The film was originally rated 13 by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF), but was re-rated to 16, in which Syafiq had no choice but to agree on LPF's decision. He stated that the film does not have extreme scenes, but he thinks that the final rating was given due to the film's topic. This film was later given a green light to be released in theaters.

Release and promotional campaigns
The official trailer of the film was released on YouTube by Skop Productions and Astro Shaw on March 22, 2024, in which it is scheduled to be release in Malaysia and Singapore cinemas on 18 April 2024, a week after Eid al-Fitr. The film was later released in Indonesia by CBI Pictures on 23rd May 2024, titled Sheriff: Narcotics & Intergrity. It received positive reaction by Joko Anwar as Joko himself was Syafiq's idol.

The film was scheduled to screened in Hong Kong on 6th June 2024 distributed by Universal Pictures Hong Kong branch with original dialogue. The film will set become Skop Productions' first film to screened there and Astro Shaw's second 2024 international release after Mechamato Movie in Japan. Originally, the film managed to attracted Warner Bros. staff who have invited to gala night in GSC Mid Valley Megamall. According to Yusof Haslam, Warner Bros. Hong Kong staff approved the film to be screened, in which the title of the film was changed to Mass Killer "Sheriff" (Chinese: 警長：抓内鬼) with original audio and bilingual subtitles (English and Mandarin).

To promote the film, Skop Productions teamed up with Secret Recipe to give away 15 pairs of gala night premiere tickets, which is a contest called Snap & Win . Malaysian cinema chain Golden Screen Cinemas is giving out Raya packets in selected cinemas starting from 2nd April. TGV Cinemas ran a "open house" for both Dancing Village: The Curse Begins and this film, priced at RM75. Malaysian distributor of this film, Astro Shaw is giving out Raya packets in multiple bazaars in conjunction to the release of the film.

Syafiq cautioned parents about bringing children to watch the movie due to its 16 rating, in which caused by viral TikTok videos showing minors present at showings.

Box office
Sheriff gained more than RM1 million for early screening on 17 April across Malaysia. It was later increased to RM6.4 million, thus beats out War on Terror: KL Anarchy as highest 16-rated Malaysian film. It ends on RM11.4 million in weekend thanks to magnificent support. Just a day later, the film increased by RM5 million to RM16.4 million by Sunday afternoon. The film ends a week cycle by collecting RM22.1 million, just behind Polis Evo 3 (RM25 million) and Mat Kilau (RM23 million). It later raised to RM28 million after 9 days of screening across three countries. The film become Malaysia's number one box office film after beating out Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Money Not Enough 3 by collecting RM31 million in two weeks, thus beats out BoBoiBoy Movie 2 (2019) and Air Force The Movie (2022). The film was later increased to RM35.3 million, closed to total collection of Mechamato Movie (2022) co-produced by Astro Shaw. The film become Skop Productions' and Astro Shaw's second highest box office film, behind Polis Evo 3 (RM54 million) co-produced with Blackflag by collecting RM44.5 million. It later become their number one box office film after collecting RM60 million within one month, thus puts it as second highest grossing film in Malaysia; behind Syamsul's Mat Kilau.

Critical response
The film receives huge positive reaction from critics and filmmaker for its direction, acting, script and camera movement especially Zul Ariffin and Syafiq Kyle. Casey written for her Casey Movie Mania states that the film was an engrossing mix of thriller and mystery. She also praised Izaq Yuzaini's editing for not dragging or overstay its welcome. She gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Kiapbod on his retro perspective review wrote that the film was full of plot twist as the main ingredient in the film. He also praised actors' performance especially Syafiq after One Cent Thief (2022) and Polis Evo 3 (2023). Zhafvlog wrote in his Twitter that he felt palpitations due to its action, fighting scene especially by Zul and Aaron Aziz and epic shooting action. He gave 5 out of 5 infinity stars which also puts it as his favorite local film.

Azri Azizan wrote for World of Buzz praised the film after collecting RM6.4 million in 2 days by stating is as "doesn’t have to be a comic book movie as long as the plot intrigues the audience and keeps them at the edge of their seats with the twists and turns".

The film also received positive outcome from Indonesian audeince. Helmy Herlambang wrote for Kincir stated that the film managed to keep audience at the edge of their seat from beginning to the end.

Sheriff has become Yusof Haslam's best present for his 70th birthday. He told to Malay Mail,

"“... with the economy not being so good now, I was a bit worried how the film will fare but with Allah’s blessings, the film has been receiving an encouraging response and (for this) I am very grateful,”.

“I am also grateful that my children (Syafiq Yusof and Syamsul Yusof) are very talented and Allah has given them a way to make their work easier and their works are widely accepted,”

“I cannot say that I expect a certain (box office) collection, but looking at the film’s (Sheriff) momentum from day to day as well as from what netizens have to say, we can say that there is confidence...but we cannot know how far it can go in terms of is collections,”"

Vice President of Malay Nusantara Business and Head of Astro Shaw, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad who served as executive producer thank everyone who supported the film and stated that the film will create history for Malay films.

A viewer from Kelantan decide to fly to Negeri Sembilan for watch the film due to no cinema were placed there. A mosque organization parodied the film as "Meth Slipper" to remind everyone for not stealing slipper in mosque.

Syamsul Yusof, Syafiq's brother proud of Syafiq himself and remind everyone to support the film. Atiq Azman told Harian Metro that Sheriff was the beginning of phenomenal wave in Malaysian film industry and hoping that The Experts will have same box-office collection as Sheriff.

Possible sequel
On 22nd May, Syafiq Yusof announced the sequel of Sheriff to Harian Metro with Zul Ariffin and Azira Syafinaz set to reprise their roles. Syafiq told them that he currently planned to make a new idea for the sequel. It was later confirmed by other medias such as CNA Lifestyle and MalayMail.

Fake news about defamation of the Royal Malaysian Police
Syafiq debunked fake news alleging PDRM's investigation of Yusof for tarnishing their image, affirming on Twitter that the police granted permission for the film's production.

Failure in Indonesian theatres and internet debate between Malaysians and Indonesians
The film sparked an online debate when a viral video published on June 2, by a Malaysian TikTok personality named Thaqib Shaker argued that Sheriff 's failure to reach box office success in Indonesia is caused by a deep-rooted Indonesian nationalism that dislikes anything about Malaysia. Another TikTok video made on June 3, by Syerleena Abdul Rashid, a Malaysian member of parliament (MP) from Bukit Bendera also went viral, said that the film's failure in Indonesia is "unfair" due to the dominance of Indonesian pop culture and creative industry in Malaysia without an "equal reciprocity" and promised to bring a motion to the Malaysian Parliament to limit the influx of Indonesian and foreign media. To the press, Syafiq accepted the fact that Sheriff did not make a significant success in the Indonesian theatres after being released back in 23 April and screened via CGV Cinemas Indonesia and has since been pulled down from screens earlier than the expected target.

The debate originally surfaced from X (formerly Twitter). On May 31 and June 1, Syafiq published a series of posts on his official X account.

Filem Sheriff tidak mendapat sambutan di Indonesia. Jadi, banyak tayangan telah diturunkan secara drastik. Apa-apa pun, saya berterima kasih kepada CGV Cinemas kerana membuka pintu dan memberi peluang untuk filem Malaysia ditayangkan di sana 🙏. Terima Kasih Indonesia 🇲🇾❤️🇮🇩 May 31, 2024

In the post, Syafiq said that Sheriff did not get a reception in Indonesia and the screening was pulled drastically. Malaysian netizens surged the comment section and scrutinised the cause of the film's general low reception in Indonesia. Malaysian netizens alleged that Indonesians were being unsupportive to Malaysia, overly nationalistic, or inherently disliked Malaysian films. The comment section became controversial when Malaysian netizens started to dehumanising Indonesian people, ranging from using slurs, i.e. indon/indog, IQ 78/IQ gorilla (equating Indonesian average IQ to primates), konoha (a derogatory term of Indonesia), babu (slave or servant), kuli Jawa (Javanese enslaved labour) etc.; insinuated that the film's low viewership was caused by poverty and lack of theatres; to disparaging Indonesian film industry to be of cheap, monotone, low quality, and inferior compared to Malaysia.

Both Syafiq posts on May 31 and June 1 were deleted due to the increasing amount of concerning comments from Malaysian netizens. The former post capture is still available from a Malaysian news report, while the latter detail is unavailable from internet history. To address the issue, on June 1, Syafiq stated in his post that: "Forced to delete the previous tweet that blew up in such a harmful way. Too many comments causing hostility. Please be safe everyone."

Later, a post from an Indonesian X film forum that discussed the incident went viral. Indonesian netizens were enraged after knowing that Malaysian netizens accused Indonesians for being prejudiced and having hatred towards Malaysia, who blamed the film's failure due to various reasons, such as close-mindedness and assertion of poorer Indonesian film industry quality compared to Malaysia. Furthermore, Malaysian netizens accused the Indonesian people for being ultranationalist because of Soekarno's legacy of Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, then throwing racist and ethnic slurs toward the Indonesian people (and Javanese people, the largest ethnic group in Indonesia), accused that Indonesians (and Javanese) hated Malays and having the so-called Jakarta-centric or Java-centric mindset, and assuming that Indonesians are of lower intelligence than Malaysians, which are stemmed from staunch anti-Indonesian sentiment. In the comment section of the post, Indonesians commented that the accusations and insults are ridiculous, irrelevant, hyperbolic, false, provocative, and racist towards the Indonesian and Javanese people.

Indonesian netizens responded to the accusation by telling that Sheriff 's producer team did not even put an effort of marketing strategy at all to promote the film to the Indonesian mass and social media, thus caused the film to became unpopular to the public. Netizens complained that they did not even know the existence of the film, only after the discourse went viral, which made Indonesians confused about why they became the subject of slander that came rather unsolicited from Malaysian netizens when the film itself was unknown prior to the incident. They also denied the accusation of Indonesians' hatred towards Malaysia, claiming that Indonesians have always been open and supportive of Malaysian film industry, especially the cult following of Upin & Ipin and BoBoiBoy, two successful Malaysian animated film in Indonesia, since the debut. Additionally, netizens were also disgusted to the allegation that Indonesians were being ultranationalist or xenophobic, when in fact Indonesian reception to foreign media is more liberal, free, and open than Malaysian conservative Islamic society, which then Indonesian netizens argued that Malaysia was just projecting their own racism mentality that is deeply entrenched by Malay supremacy concept against "inferior" Indonesians. To beat the allegation, netizens commented by giving proof that a Thai film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, another Southeast Asian film that is screened concurrently with Sheriff in Indonesia, received a remarkable success in Indonesian theatres, even to the point that the director appreciated the Indonesian public, concluding that it has nothing to do with excessive national pride.

Netizens explained that Indonesia has since experienced progress in film industry and advises Malaysia to introspect and upgrade theirs to match the Indonesian film industry's evergrowing quality and prominence in international stage, by comparing the worldwide success of The Raid, an Indonesian film with similar premise which was released far earlier in 2011, also other Indonesian action films that received global acknowledgements like The Big 4, The Night Comes for Us, 13 Bombs in Jakarta, Stealing Raden Saleh, and requested Malaysians to compete fairly and adhere to the principle of free market. People also added that Indonesians have no obligation to fulfill Malaysian expectation because a film reception is merely a matter of personal taste.

After the chaos, in an X thread, Syafiq released an apology statement to the dispute and to hold responsibility to his previously deleted posts that initially caused the blunder. In the first post, he said that "the sentiments that said Sheriff didn't hit success in Indonesia because Indonesians didn't support Malaysian films are wrong". He admitted that the failure is caused purely by his own. In the second post, he stated that the Indonesian public is in a rightful way to choose films to watch freely and admitted that Sheriff did not yet satisfy the high Indonesian film industry standard, especially Indonesian action films, thus a films' failure is ought not to be blamed to the audience, but the filmmaker instead. In the final post, he concluded with a statement that he is responsible for the box office miss, promised to upgrade his prospective films, and thanked the Indonesian public for the opportunity to screen Sheriff there.