Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts
Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

Movie spotlight

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

2017
Movie
93 min
Indonesian

After encountering a group of bandits with plans to rape and steal from her, a young widow ventures into the wilderness in search of justice.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users89%
Director: Mouly SuryaGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Western

Plot Summary

Marlina, a young widow, seeks justice after being sexually assaulted. She takes the head of her main aggressor and embarks on a journey across the Indonesian savanna to turn herself in to the police. Accompanied by two other women who have also suffered at the hands of men, she confronts her trauma and navigates a landscape where patriarchal violence is a constant threat.

Critical Reception

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts garnered significant international acclaim for its bold feminist themes, unique blend of genres, and striking visual style. Critics praised its departure from typical revenge narratives, focusing instead on Marlina's quiet strength and resilience. Audiences were drawn to its unconventional approach and powerful portrayal of female solidarity in the face of brutal adversity.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually stunning and thematically rich feminist western.

  • Marsha Timothy delivers a captivating and stoic performance as Marlina.

  • The film cleverly subverts genre expectations with its unique narrative and social commentary.

Google audience: Viewers praised the film's strong female characters and their journey of empowerment. Many appreciated the unique storytelling and the film's willingness to tackle difficult subjects like sexual violence and patriarchal oppression. The beautiful cinematography of the Indonesian landscape was also frequently highlighted as a positive aspect.

Awards & Accolades

Selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Won Best Film at the 2017 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Fun Fact

Director Mouly Surya cited Western films like 'The Quick and the Dead' and 'True Grit' as inspirations, aiming to create an Indonesian 'feminist western'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Simon Foster

Simon Foster

"A stylised arthouse horror/thriller that doubles as an elegantly intellectual think-piece concerning the region’s gender politics..." Read the full review here: http://screen-space.squarespace.com/reviews/2018/1/25/marlina-the-murderer-...