The Act of Killing
Seen it?2012 | 159 min | Documentary, History
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), it collected a shelf of major awards, audiences rate it highly (7.7 out of 10) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious and history buffs. If you loved The Look of Silence, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Harrowing, eye-opening.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 39 min.
- It's in Danish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After befriending documentarian Joshua Oppenheimer, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various American film genres. As they recreate their past atrocities, the line between reality and performance blurs, exposing the lingering impact of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist purge and the unsettling psychology of its perpetrators.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 92 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Documentary. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Documentary. Also nominated for 2 Oscars, 1 more BAFTA and 1 Critics' Choice Award. Plus 32 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$723K worldwide on a $1 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 440K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Look of Silence Friday Night FlickAlso from director Joshua Oppenheimer: a critically acclaimed historical drama that fewer people know today.
Citizenfour Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed documentary that fewer people know today.
Seaspiracy
Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
For Sama Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed documentary that fewer people know today.
Room 237 Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
- Anwar CongoSelf - Executioner in 1965
- Herman KotoSelf - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader
- Syamsul ArifinSelf - Governor of North Sumatra
- Ibrahim SinikSelf - Newspaper Publisher
- Yapto SoerjosoemarnoSelf - Leader of Pancasila Youth
- Safit PardedeSelf - Local Paramilitary Leader
- Jusuf KallaSelf - Vice President of Indonesia
- Adi ZulkadrySelf - Fellow Executioner in 1965
- SuryonoSelf - Anwar's Neighbor
- Haji MarzukiSelf - Member of North Sumatra Parliament