Mak Tisha, Tok Gomeh, Rabu: Netflix MY’s Wickedly Local Adam’s Family

By The Malketeer

Netflix Malaysia has done it again!

Taking a global pop culture phenomenon and spinning it into something unmistakably, mischievously local.

A deliciously cheeky reimagining of the Addams Family that swaps Transylvanian gloom for Malaysian charm, without losing an ounce of gothic swagger.

A Gothic Family, Reborn in the Tropics

In this short film, the brooding elegance of Morticia and Gomez finds a new home in Mak Tisha and Tok Gomeh.

Played with sly chemistry by horror queen Maya Karin and actor Adi Afendi, the couple smoulder their way across a living room dance floor.

It’s proof that passion can be just as bewitching under a ceiling fan as in a candlelit manor.

The rest of the “Adam’s Family” ensemble is equally inspired.

Internet personality Bento, decked out in Pugsley’s signature stripes, teams up with his real-life grandmother as Grandmama, who swaps potion brewing for fireworks-making in a delightfully kampung-meets-creepy moment.

Then there’s Rabu — Wednesday’s local alter ego — brought to life by Puteri Balqis, pigtails intact, who lovingly tends to her “Rabubu” doll collection in a way that feels charmingly Malaysian.

Netflix’s 360° Fan Service

The film isn’t just a cute one-off.

It’s the cherry on top of Netflix Malaysia’s recent “Nevermore Academy: Malaysia campus” activation at Sunway Pyramid.

The event didn’t just offer photo ops — it dropped fans straight into the Addams-verse via themed rooms, cryptic challenges, and an “Outcasts versus Normies” orientation that blurred the line between fandom and live theatre.

Then came the pièce de résistance: Thing.

Not on your TV, but on your street.

The severed hand was spotted roaming the Klang Valley in an on-ground activation that was part horror prop, part urban Easter egg hunt.

It’s the sort of layered, physical-meets-digital stunt that keeps Netflix’s fan engagement unpredictable and irresistibly shareable.

Localisation Without Dilution

This campaign nails what so many global brands still struggle with — true localisation.

Instead of simply translating dialogue or slotting in token Malaysian references, Netflix rebuilt the narrative DNA so the cultural cues feel native.

• Casting as cultural signalling – Maya Karin’s horror credentials instantly give the remake credibility with Malaysian audiences.
• Humour in the familiar – Fireworks, kampung vibes, and affectionate Malay family banter make the macabre accessible.
• Immersion beyond the screen – A campaign ecosystem that bridges streaming, events, and street-level surprises ensures no fan touchpoint is wasted.

Netflix Malaysia’s “Adam’s Family” is more than a fun content drop — it’s a case study in how to remix global IP without losing its core fanbase or alienating local audiences.

The trick lies in balancing the recognisable with the relatable: keep the archetypes, but re-skin the details so they feel lived-in rather than pasted-on.

In an age where audiences can smell a lazy localisation a mile away, this is proof that playful authenticity wins every time.

Perhaps the ultimate brand lesson is this: when you can make Rabu and Rabubu feel just as iconic as Wednesday and Thing, you’ve not only localised a franchise — you’ve made it your own.