PopHorror Let's Get Scared
We all know the standard tale of vengeance that Meir Zarchi’s 1978 film, I Spit on Your Grave, perfected. The protagonist, typically female, becomes a victim of sexual assault and seeks justice where the legal system falls short. More recently, other gems such as Leah McKendrick’s M.F.A. have used this story angle to tackle a much bigger social issue. The latest indie revenge feature to hit the festival circuit is Mouly Surya’s Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts. How does it hold up?
This gripping slow burn opens with an artistic shot of a motorcyclist speeding across a striking landscape in rural Indonesia. Stopping at the secluded home of Marlina (Marsha Timothy: The Raid 2), Markus (Egy Fedly: Headshot) nonchalantly enters her humble abode uninvited and takes a seat in the middle of the floor. Playing a stringed instrument, the long-haired intruder begins casual conversation with the recently widowed Marlina.
I was immediately drawn into this bizarre situation through the simple, yet effective, dialogue that comes across as a conversation from a Tarantino film… minus the profanity. Markus continues to play his music while stating that Marlina is to prepare a meal as she is about to receive more unexpected guests. This stranger casually states that six of his friends are in route and, when they arrive, will assist him in gathering Marlina’s livestock and belongings after which, they will rape her. With no one to come to her aide, Marlina begins cooking the meal as instructed while silently considering her options. It isn’t long before the other intruders arrive. After they have taken what little Marlina has for themselves, they converse in the main room while the widow continues to prepare the meal for her unwanted guests.
Tension builds as Marlina overhears this band of thieves discussing who will take the first turn with her. After sending away two rookie members of their gang with instructions to return the next day, Markus retires early to the bedroom while the remaining four await their meal while reminiscing about their previous exploits with laughter. With quick thinking, she devises a way to prevent her pending fate.
Split into four parts, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts lightens the mood with act two as Marlina walks to a rural bus stop down the road carrying Markus’ severed head. Rushing to join her for the bus trip into town, Marlina’s nearest neighbor, Novi (Dea Panendra), who is overdue to give birth, shouts for Marlina’s attention. Upon her approach, Novi notices the severed head and the two awkwardly wait for the bus.
Embarking on a journey with two threats still looming in the area that will likely want revenge of their own, Marlina intends to file a report with the police. Still haunted by Markus and her assault, the widow must find some sort of peace as the living thieves, Franz (Yoga Pratama) and Niko (Haydar Salishz) give chase upon learning the fate of their partner in crime.
It’s easy to see, with beautiful cinematic imagery, an intriguing story propelled with cleverly written dialogue and outstanding cast performances, how Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts has racked up five festival awards and 12 nominations. This is a slow burn that really does not feel as such, which is incredibly difficult to pull off on the indie level of film. Having won awards for her two previous films, Surya has proven with her third feature film that she is one filmmaker who is here to stay.
