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Action drama

Gundala (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gundala (2020) movie poster

Gundala is a 2020 action drama directed by Joko Anwar, starring Abimana Aryasatya as Sancaka, Gundala, Bront Palarae and Lukman Sardi. It runs 2 hours and earned $383,128 worldwide on a $1.9 million budget. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$383.1K
Echo Score
70
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Gundala (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Joko Anwar
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
Indonesian
Budget
$1.9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gundala About?

The premise of Gundala without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In this gritty science fiction adventure, an unlikely hero rises from the shadows. Sancaka, an Indonesian orphan living a quiet life on the streets of Jakarta, finds himself compelled to act when rampant greed and violence threaten to consume the city. Discovering extraordinary abilities, he transforms into Gundala, a beacon of hope striving to restore balance to a chaotic and increasingly dangerous world.

Gundala Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • farm
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Cast & crew

Gundala Cast & Characters

Abimana Aryasatya leads the cast as Sancaka, Gundala, with Bront Palarae as Pengkor and Lukman Sardi as Ridwan Bahri. Directed by Joko Anwar; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Gundala

· 6 more
From the director

More from Joko Anwar

More films directed by Joko Anwar, best-rated first: Satan's Slaves: Communion, Ghost in the Cell, The Siege at Thorn High and Grave Torture.

Full filmography
Ratings

Gundala Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gundala 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

70 /100

Gundala Echo Score Breakdown

Gundala delivers an energetic superhero spectacle anchored by dynamic action but hampered by familiar beats and uneven pacing. Reviews praise its striking fight choreography and resourceful direction given budget constraints, while noting the origin story’s lack of novelty and the occasionally cluttered plot. The film’s balance of social commentary and visual impact keeps it engaging, though some narrative threads feel underdeveloped. Overall, Gundala offers a solid introduction to an Indonesian superhero universe with occasional lapses.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of Art & Craft, Gundala presents robust visual flair and competent direction despite budget limitations. Critics and viewers highlight the well-executed fight choreography and inventive production design that accentuate the film’s thunderous action. Occasional lapses in editing clarity occur amid busy sequences, but the overall craft supports a compelling spectacle. Net result remains solid.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of Character & Emotion, Gundala offers a humanized hero portrayal tempered by an abundance of supporting figures. The protagonist’s emotional journey resonates through moments of vulnerability, yet the crowded ensemble dilutes individual development. Early scenes chart Sancaka’s transformation effectively, but later arcs feel underexplored. Overall, character work provides affective appeal with some inconsistency.

  • Story & Flow 60

    When it comes to Story & Flow, Gundala adheres to familiar superhero conventions with uneven pacing and narrative density. Critics note a slow initial momentum and occasionally tangled subplots that reduce clarity. Engaging action moments and social commentary inject interest, but originality remains limited. In sum, the storyline delivers moderate engagement overshadowed by structural unevenness.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of Sensory Experience, Gundala harnesses a potent blend of sound and visuals to amplify its action sequences. Explosive sound design and dynamic camera work create a visceral impact during fight scenes. The score remains unobtrusive but effective, while the visual style underscores the film’s gritty tone. Overall, the sensory elements maintain high energy throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When it comes to Rewatch Factor, Gundala offers limited incentive for repeated viewings. The film’s strong action sequences retain appeal, but familiar tropes and a dense narrative hinder lasting novelty. While some viewers may revisit standout fight scenes, the lack of distinctive plot developments reduces replay value. Overall, rewatch appeal remains moderate at best.

Plot

Gundala Plot Summary

What happens in Gundala from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sancaka Abimana Aryasatya is the astraphobic son of an Indonesian factory worker. As he helps lead a factory strike, violence erupts when angry workers clash with security guards, and his father is fatally stabbed by a fellow worker. In his despair, Sancaka unleashes lightning bolts from his own body. A year later, his mother leaves for another city to find work and never returns. He becomes homeless in Jakarta, where he befriends Awang, a fellow street child who teaches him self-defense. They dream of freighthopping to a safe haven in Tenggara, but only Awang manages to hop onto the train. Now an adult, Sancaka works as a guard and a mechanic in a newspaper printing factory.

Full summary

The whole story of Gundala, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gundala Box Office & Budget

Gundala grossed $383,128 worldwide on a $1.9 million budget, 21% of what it cost. $115,691 came from the US and Canada and $267,437 (70%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$383.1K

21% of its budget back

US & Canada
$115.7K
International
$267.4K
Budget
$1.9M
US & Canada 30% Rest of the world 70%
Videos

Gundala Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Official Trailer GUNDALA (2019) - In theatres August 29, 2019
  • Trailer GUNDALA Trailer | TIFF 2019
  • Teaser GUNDALA (2019) - Official Video Teaser
  • Clip Official First Look GUNDALA (2019) - A Film by Joko Anwar
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gundala?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the main protagonist of the story?

Cars

Cars in Gundala

30 cars on screen, including the 2000 BMW 3 E46 and the 1999 Jaguar S-Type X200.

All 30 cars
  • 2000 BMW 3 E46 in Gundala 2000 BMW 3 E46 Important role
  • 1999 Jaguar S-Type X200 in Gundala 1999 Jaguar S-Type X200 Important role
  • Mercedes-Benz W123 in Gundala Mercedes-Benz W123 Important role
  • 2001 Mitsubishi Colt L300 in Gundala 2001 Mitsubishi Colt L300 Important role
Details

Gundala Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Gundala: Putra Petir” and “Gundala: Son of Lightning”.

Also known as
  • Gundala: Putra Petir
  • Gundala: Son of Lightning
  • Gundala, il super eroe
  • Red Storm
  • 군달라: 슈퍼히어로의 탄생
  • Гундала: Сын молнии
  • גונדאלה
  • Gundala: A Ascensão de um Herói
  • 閃電奇俠剛達拉
  • Siêu Anh Hùng Indo
  • 闪电奇侠刚达拉
  • Gundala: El Ascenso de un Héroe
+1 more
  • Gundala - Il figlio del lampo

Seen Gundala?

FAQ

Gundala FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Gundala, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gundala?

Gundala runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Gundala released?

Gundala was released on July 28, 2020.

Who directed Gundala?

Gundala was directed by Joko Anwar.

More films by Joko Anwar

Who is in the cast of Gundala?

Gundala stars Abimana Aryasatya as Sancaka, Gundala, Bront Palarae as Pengkor and Lukman Sardi as Ridwan Bahri, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Gundala make at the box office?

Gundala grossed $383,128 worldwide ($115,691 domestic, $267,437 international) on a budget of $1.9 million.

How is Gundala rated?

Gundala has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Gundala have a post-credit scene?

No. Gundala has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Gundala in?

The original language of Gundala is Indonesian.

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