This movie left me so profoundly disturbed in a way few other pieces of media have. The premise—to film perpetrators of the mass murder of communists and other groups under the Suharto regime in Indonesia REENACTING their crimes years later (in classic Hollywood style)—at first seems too bizarre to work. The point of the film is that it was only ever going to work. ‘Inspiring’ is actually a good way to describe it: it compels you to look at yourself and your own heart of darkness, not passively but with naked honesty. And what’s chilling and shameful is how watchable it ultimately is. Like nothing I’ve ever seen or will see again.
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i have such a hard time getting through movies, its brutal and unfortunate. i am fully aware im missing out on some critical pieces of art in consequence, but if isnt both predominantly psychological thriller and as quickly paced as oppenheimer, its super hard to keep me engaged.
i will talk about this movie until the end of time. despite minimal dialogue and the most clinical atmosphere to be captured by means of cinematography, the lack of information and consequential unpredictability kept me thoroughly enticed and fully unnerved for the full two hours. minimalism weaponized for max intensity with no certain direction; epitomization of surrealist thriller.
watching it for the first time without context nor any expectations is an invaluable experience.
Nov 26, 2024
I really recommend this movie if you like films that feel like documentaries and do a wonderful job depicting a specific time and place in culture. America is rotting at its core but movies like this make me want to show it to anyone and say, “this is what it actually is”
Mar 18, 2025
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The Act of Killing (2012) and The Look of Silence (2014). Tough sits but really worth it...
just found out he's filming a musical about rich people in an underground bunker and it stars Tilda!!
Jan 25, 2024
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My husband never watched Game of Thrones the first time around because he’s an insufferable contrarian. We’re watching it now and he’s like, ‘Why did people hate this?? It’s everyone‘s favorite characters coming back together and dishing up fan service.’ Just eating the slop they fed us and enjoying it without the frenzied discourse interfering has been truly freeing.
Feb 2, 2024