# Merantau (2009) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/merantau-2009/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 71% |
| Critic Score | 78% |
| Audience Score | 76% |
| Metascore | 66/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.4/5 |
| IMDb | 6.9/10 |
| Director | Gareth Evans |
| Genres | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Runtime | 134 min |

## Quick answer

Merantau (2009) earns a 71% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Evans and Iko Uwais’s first collaboration, and the film that put Silat on the international map before The Raid arrived. Metascore 66/100. Directed by Gareth Evans.

## Critics consensus

Evans and Iko Uwais’s first collaboration, and the film that put Silat on the international map before The Raid arrived.

## Synopsis

In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his "Merantau" a century's old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community's young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta.

## Cast

Iko Uwais, Chika Jessica, Christine Hakim, Mads Koudal, Yusuf Aulia, Alex Abbad, Yayan Ruhian, Laurent Buson

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is Merantau worth watching?**
Merantau holds a 71% Celluloid Score. Evans and Iko Uwais’s first collaboration, and the film that put Silat on the international map before The Raid arrived.

**What is Merantau about?**
In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his "Merantau" a century's old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community's young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta.

**Who directed Merantau?**
Merantau (2009) was directed by Gareth Evans.

**What is the Celluloid Score of Merantau?**
71% — the average of five public sources: critics 78%, audience 76%, Metascore 66/100, Letterboxd 3.4/5, and IMDb 6.9/10.

**Where can I watch Merantau?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the Merantau page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

Markdown mirror: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/merantau-2009.md