The Act of Killing (2012)
0.1330Canon Score · ranked #208 all time
Aggregated from 5 of 31 authoritative lists, weighted by authority and adjusted for each list's scope and age. How scoring works →
About the film
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.
Why it ranks #208
Every list on which The Act of Killing appears, with its position as published.
| List | Authority | Position |
|---|---|---|
| BBC 100 Greatest of 21st Century (2016) | Major international poll | #14 / 102 |
| Guardian 100 Best of 21st C (2019) | Critics' canon | #16 / 98 |
| Rolling Stone 21st Century 100 (2025) | Critics' canon | #20 / 102 |
| NYT 100 Best of 21st Century (2025) | Major international poll | #82 / 100 |
| 1001 Movies (2003-2024 union) | Critics' canon | Selected |