The Year of Living Dangerously

Play trailer

The Year of Living Dangerously

PG

1982

1h 55m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When journalist Guy Hamilton (Mel Gibson) arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia, he has difficulty making contacts. He forms a friendship with dwarf photographer Billy Kwan (Linda Hunt), through whom he meets British diplomat Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Bryant falls for Hamilton, and she gives him key information about an approaching Communist uprising. As the city becomes more dangerous, Hamilton stays to pursue the story. However, he faces more threats as he gets closer to the government.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Both a smart, suspenseful tale of intrigue and a sweeping romance, The Year of Living Dangerously features excellent performances from Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver as a pair of journalists covering political unrest in Indonesia.

Read Critics Reviews

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/19/2023

When the two stars are together, the movie has the hectic, under-the-surface energy that is Weir’s brand of magic.

Go to Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

11/12/2018

Memorable in Gallipoli and Road Warrior, Mel Gibson establishes his leading-man status.

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

06/19/2018

4/4

This is a wonderfully absorbing film.

Go to Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

08/20/2025

Hunt deservedly won an Oscar for her performance as photographer Billy in this languid but atmospheric drama about political and personal relationships put to the test

Go to Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

08/09/2024

4/5

Peter Weir’s The Year of Living Dangerously...is an underrated romantic drama and adventure film set amidst Indonesia’s political unrest of the mid-1960s.

Go to Full Review

Molly Haskell

Vogue

02/27/2020

[The Year of Living Dangerously] is a romantic and political melodrama set in Indonesia during the Sukarno regime. If it winds up being more romantic than political, who's complaining?

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Landon J

@Minxsykitty Jul 28

I thought it was just ok. It's main fault is spending far too much time meandering. Mel and Weaver do good here, has some genuinely tense moments. Not much to say really, for better or worse.

See more

Vincent S

@RT47579145 Jun 23

I wish the love story was stronger but this is beautifully directed by Peter Weir. Linda Hunt’s performance and the stunning beauty of Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson help. This is a compelling drama and the war, uprising material are excellent.

See more

keven q

@kevenquinlan Jan 2

Ok, a young Mel and Sigourney- it's basically a romance in the middle of a countries turmoil. It's really good- but I'm not going to add it to my collection. By all means Watch It- but I don't think it's a keeper. Also- I'm sorry but I tire of the narrative of Starving Children when it's the irresponsible poor over populating their country and not being held accountable. You DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to reproduce when you can't ensure the survival of YOUR CHILDREN. I shouldn't have to feel bad for you- that's YOUR making, not mine.

See more

thiago s

@Thiagostone 05/04/2025

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é mais ou menos, mas ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

See more

bob c

@RT46426964 01/08/2025

Good for its era but has not aged so well, particularly technically. The politics are spot on though.

See more

Alain E

@AlainE 10/23/2024

Excellent opportunity to see Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver in the beginning of their careers. The movie depicts realistically third world conditions in the early sixties. Western journalists mostly have a good time as the local society is going to hell. The woman who plays Gibson’s male assistant-very convincingly I should say- was awarded an Oscar for supporting acting.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Peter Weir

Director

Mel Gibson

Guy S. Hamilton

Sigourney Weaver

Jillian Edith 'Jill' Bryant

Linda Hunt

Billy Kwan

Michael Murphy

Pete Curtis

Bill Kerr

Col. Ralph Henderson

Sheena

11%

34%

Sheena

Watchlist

Empire of the Sun

75%

90%

Empire of the Sun

Watchlist

The Aviator

20%

43%

The Aviator

Watchlist

BMX Bandits

67%

54%

BMX Bandits

Watchlist

Nate and Hayes

0%

60%

Nate and Hayes

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ethan Hawke’s Five Favorite Films

Sigourney Weaver’s 10 Best Movies

Karyn Kusama’s Five Favorite Films

View more photos

Synopsis

When journalist Guy Hamilton (Mel Gibson) arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia, he has difficulty making contacts. He forms a friendship with dwarf photographer Billy Kwan (Linda Hunt), through whom he meets British diplomat Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Bryant falls for Hamilton, and she gives him key information about an approaching Communist uprising. As the city becomes more dangerous, Hamilton stays to pursue the story. However, he faces more threats as he gets closer to the government.

Director: Peter Weir
Producer: Jim McElroy
Screenwriter: C.J. Koch, Peter Weir, David Williamson
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 31, 2009
Runtime: 1h 55m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings