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Drama thriller

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2018) movie poster

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Mouly Surya, starring Marsha Timothy as Marlina, Egy Fedly and Dea Panendra. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $26,331 worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$26.3K
Echo Score
82
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Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Mouly Surya
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
Indonesian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts About?

The premise of Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

On a remote Indonesian island, Marlina's peaceful existence is brutally disrupted when a group of bandits steal from her and abandon her for dead. Driven by fury and a desire for justice, she sets out on a dangerous journey to confront her attackers. As she seeks revenge, Marlina finds herself haunted by the spirit of the man she killed, and her quest for retribution becomes increasingly complex, forcing her to confront not only her enemies but also her own inner demons.

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • f rated
  • title directed by female
  • suspense thriller
  • suspense
  • female protagonist
  • blood
  • violence
  • island
  • bandit
  • character name in title
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Cast & crew

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Cast & Characters

Marsha Timothy leads the cast as Marlina, with Egy Fedly as Markus and Dea Panendra as Novi. Directed by Mouly Surya; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

· 1 more
From the director

More from Mouly Surya

More films directed by Mouly Surya, best-rated first: Trigger Warning, This City Is a Battlefield, Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue and What They Don’t Talk About When They Talk About Love.

Full filmography
Ratings

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (68).

82 /100

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts delivers a strongly realized vision through deliberate craftsmanship and immersive sensory elements, though its narrative pacing can feel uneven at times. Critics consistently commend the precise direction and striking cinematography, while noting the film’s measured tonal shifts and thematic depth. The central performance anchors the emotional core, even as some segments drift with dreamlike logic. The combination of stylistic rigor and subdued character work creates a compelling if occasionally uneven, viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and cinematography emerge as its strongest assets. The framing employs a stark, steady look that underscores both tension and atmosphere. Production design supports the neo-western setting with authentic period details. Overall, these elements combine into a visually cohesive and carefully managed aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance anchors the story with poise and restrained intensity. Marsha Timothy’s portrayal conveys both vulnerability and quiet resilience, creating a compelling emotional core. Secondary characters are used sparingly but effectively to emphasize the protagonist’s journey. In sum, the acting and character depth maintain a consistent emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Regarding story and flow, the film presents a straightforward four-chapter structure that balances tension with moments of reflection. While the narrative unfolds at a measured pace, some sequences drift into dreamlike logic, which can disrupt engagement. The thematic focus on justice and autonomy offers originality, but pacing inconsistencies dampen overall coherence. Consequently, the plot remains intriguing yet unevenly executed.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    In the realm of sensory experience, the musical score and sound design significantly enhance the film’s atmosphere. A Morricone-inspired soundtrack punctuates moments of tension, while the soundscape underscores bursts of violence and quietude alike. Visually, the cohesive color palette and textured imagery reinforce the neo-western ambience. Overall, the sensory elements work in concert to sustain immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    As for rewatch factor, the film’s layered composition and thematic nuance invite further viewings. The meticulous visual style and subtle tonal shifts reveal additional details on repeat plays. However, the languid pacing and occasional narrative drift may lessen enthusiasm over multiple viewings. In total, the film offers worthwhile rewards for attentive rewatchers despite some pacing drawbacks.

Plot

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Plot Summary

What happens in Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In The Robbery, the film unfolds on the beautiful island of Sumba, where we meet Marlina, who is enveloped in sorrow over her deceased husband. The tranquility of her life is shattered when a band of seven men, led by the elder Markus, storms her home with malicious intent to rob her of her livestock and violate her. As they demand a meal, Marlina seizes the moment to poison the opportunistic intruders with her chicken soup, ending most of their lives and decisively decapitating Markus. In a symbolic act of defiance, she incinerates Markus’s treasured musical instrument, the jungga.

Full summary

The whole story of Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Box Office

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts grossed $26,331 worldwide. $17,788 came from the US and Canada and $8,543 (32%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$26.3K

US & Canada
$17.8K
International
$8.5K
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 5 trailers, 1 clip and 5 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 11 videos
Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak (di Bioskop 16 NOVEMBER 2017)
  • Trailer Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts – Trailer official (English) from Cannes (new)
  • Trailer Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak (Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts)
  • Trailer Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts - trailer | IFFR 2018
  • Trailer Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts?

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 event disrupts Marlina's grief at the beginning of the movie?

Details

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Marlina: Omicida in Quattro Atti” and “Marlina: die Mörderin in vier Akten”.

Also known as
  • Marlina: Omicida in Quattro Atti
  • Marlina: die Mörderin in vier Akten
  • Marlina: el Asesino de Cuatro Actos
  • Marlina: Mordaren i fyra handlingar
  • Marlina: Zbrodnia w czterech aktach
  • Marlina: Murhaaja neljässä näytöksessä
  • Marlina: A gyilkos négy cselekedetben
  • Marlina: Vražda ve čtyřech činech
  • Marlina: O Assassino em Quatro Atos
  • Marlina: Morderen i fire handlinger
  • Marlina: Omorul în Patru Fapte
  • Марлина: Убиецът в четири акта
+19 more
  • Marlina: Ubojica u četiri djela
  • Marlina: Morderen i fire akter
  • Marlina: Morilec v štirih dejanjih
  • Марлина: Убица у четири дела
  • Marlina: The Murderer in Four Acts
  • Μαρλίνα: Η δολοφόνος σε τέσσερις πράξεις
  • Marlina, la tueuse en 4 actes
  • 玛琳娜的杀戮四段式
  • Assassina em Quatro Atos
  • Марлина, убийца в четырех актах
  • Marlina. Omicida in quattro atti
  • Marlina - Die Mörderin in 4 Akten
  • Žudikė Marlina. Keturių veiksmų istorija
  • Marlina, la tueuse en quatre actes
  • 復仇女萬里殲狼
  • Marlina Zbrodnia w czterech aktach
  • Katil Marlina
  • Marlina, vražedkyně ve čtyřech aktech
  • 살인자 말리나의 4막극

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FAQ

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts released?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts was released on June 22, 2018.

Who directed Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts was directed by Mouly Surya.

More films by Mouly Surya

Who is in the cast of Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts stars Marsha Timothy as Marlina, Egy Fedly as Markus and Dea Panendra as Novi, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts make at the box office?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts grossed $26,331 worldwide ($17,788 domestic, $8,543 international).

How is Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts rated?

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts have a post-credit scene?

No. Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts in?

The original language of Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts is Indonesian.

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