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View all search results‘The Big 4’ review: A bloody, funny and nuanced action romp
The film might not be an innovative breakthrough, but the Netflix original feature manages to breathe excitement into it, further emblazoned by Putri Marino's grounded performance.
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T
he film might not be an innovative breakthrough, but the Netflix original feature manages to breathe excitement into it, further emblazoned by Putri Marino's grounded performance.
As the Indonesian film industry proceeds further into this decade, more filmmakers have become willing to try their hands at the action genre. The success of The Raid duology in the 2010s could be accounted for in this recent cinematic infatuation.
However, as more Indonesian action-driven feature films continue to pile up, it has become clear that more than delivering a pulsating combat sequence is needed to continue drawing the audiences' attention. A few action films this year attempted to rise atop the archetypal swashbucklers and Iko Uwais-inspired choreography. Angga Dwimas Sasongko imbued heist thrill and Gen Z energy to Mencuri Raden Saleh, whereas Upi had her top combatant fistfight with a magical shawl in Sri Asih.
Now it is Timo Tjahjanto's turn to serve a creative spin on the action genre. Directed and cowritten by Timo himself, The Big 4 assembles a star-studded cast comprising Abimana Aryasatya (Gundala), Putri Marino (One Night Stand), Lutesha (My Generation), Arie Kriting (Ghost Writer), Kristo Immanuel (Teka Teki Tika), Budi Ros (Wedding Proposal) and Marthino Lio (Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash). The film premiered on Netflix worldwide on Dec. 15.
Order of assassins
Petrus (Budi Ros) is the leader and mentor of a team of assassins infamously known as The Big 4, consisting of Topan (Abimana Aryasatya), Alpha (Lutesha), Jenggo (Arie Kriting) and Pelor (Kristo Immanuel). Wanting to spend more time with his estranged daughter Dina (Putri Marino), Petrus decides to dissolve The Big 4 and encourages his mentees to enjoy an early retirement.
