A story of killers who win and the society they build.
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.
The Act of Killing (2012) is a documentary and history film directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, released on November 1, 2012 with a runtime of 2h 39m. It stars Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, Syamsul Arifin and Ibrahim Sinik. Viewers rate it 7.7 out of 10 across 796 ratings.
Watch the official trailer for The Act of Killing before you stream it.
Official trailers, teasers, clips and featurettes for The Act of Killing.
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Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, produced by Christine Cynn, Anne Köhncke and Signe Byrge Sørensen.
Average viewer score of 7.7/10 from 796 ratings.
The synopsis is available elsewhere and I have no idea how to review a film like this so here are a few simple lines: I have never seen anything remotely like this and would go as far as to say that it is one of the most honest portrayals of several aspects of the human psyche I have ever experienced in any medium. It's not a pleasant film but I can't give it any less than full marks for its bravery, arrogance and…
Reviewed on February 18, 2017
I didn't really know where to start with this uniquely constructed documentary. The director has assembled a collection of brutes like the enigmatic Anwar Congo and an whole slew of other paramilitary leaders from Indonesia's recent past, and asked them to recreate some of their more murderous scenarios as if they were filming an edition of "Glee"! There are serious conversations with some of the warlords…
Reviewed on August 22, 2026
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The Act of Killing (2012) is currently available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. No subscription streaming option is listed right now, so availability may change.
The main cast of The Act of Killing (2012) includes Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, Syamsul Arifin, Ibrahim Sinik and Yapto Soerjosoemarno. The film was directed by Joshua Oppenheimer. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
The Act of Killing was released on November 1, 2012 and runs for 2h 39m.
The Act of Killing (2012) holds an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from 796 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy documentary and history films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Yes. The official The Act of Killing trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.
