The Act of Killing (2012)
Kernel Score: 86% · 745 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Documentary, History
Released: 2012-11-08
Runtime: 159 minutes
Where to watch The Act of Killing
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various 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 parents' guide: ages 16+
Parents need to know that The Act of Killing is a documentary in which real death squad leaders reenact mass killings from the Indonesian genocide.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Perpetrators graphically reenact real mass killings and torture from the 1965-66 Indonesian genocide.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Act of Killing
If you liked The Act of Killing, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Look of Silence (2014) — 85%
- Seaspiracy (2021) — 88%
- 13th (2016) — 90%
- For Sama (2019) — 90%
- Citizenfour (2014) — 86%
- Into the Inferno (2016) — 78%
- Suburra (2015) — 83%
Director
Joshua Oppenheimer
Cast
- Anwar Congo as Self - Executioner in 1965
- Herman Koto as Self - Gangster & Paramilitary Leader
- Syamsul Arifin as Self - Governor of North Sumatra
- Ibrahim Sinik as Self - Newspaper Publisher
- Yapto Soerjosoemarno as Self - Leader of Pancasila Youth
- Safit Pardede as Self - Local Paramilitary Leader
- Jusuf Kalla as Self - Vice President of Indonesia
- Adi Zulkadry as Self - Fellow Executioner in 1965
- Suryono as Self - Anwar's Neighbor
- Haji Marzuki as Self - Member of North Sumatra Parliament
The Act of Killing FAQ
Is The Act of Killing good?
The Act of Killing has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 745 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Act of Killing?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Fawesome and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is The Act of Killing OK for kids?
The Act of Killing is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that The Act of Killing is a documentary in which real death squad leaders reenact mass killings from the Indonesian genocide.
What movies are like The Act of Killing?
If you liked The Act of Killing, try The Look of Silence, Seaspiracy, 13th and For Sama.