Merlin Balie
- Actor
- 3 on Motif · 10 credits in all
Known for
What are Merlin Balie's films like?
Across a limited sample of 3 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 0 · Earnest 3
Light 0 · Serious 2 · Dark 1
Grounded 3 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0
Gentle 0 · Charged 2 · Intense 1
Steady 1 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 1
Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 0
Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0
A split, not a type: Casual 2 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 1
Easy watch 0 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 2
Resolved 2 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1
Roles they play
- Tricksteras Jack Daniels in Born to Win (2014)
Moods and endings
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch Merlin Balie's films?
As of October 24, 2026, all 3 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (3).
Subscription and free streaming for Merlin Balie's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
10 credits, 3 with a Motif page.
The Umbrella Men (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)
Arendsvlei (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)
Die Byl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)
Crooked Rainbow (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)
Born to Win(2014)
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
Durban Poison(2013)
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Break Away(2012)
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Getroud Met Rugby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)
More Than Just a Game (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)
Boy Called Twist (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)
Career shape
A full career of 8 titles from 2004 to 2022.
How do Merlin Balie's films land?
Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 3; across a limited sample of 3 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.
- 50th to 74th2
- 25th to 49th1
Shape of the crowd
1 of their 3 titles is Divisive.
- Divisive1
- Cult Classic1
- Mixed1
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Who does Merlin Balie work with?
People who share at least 2 of Merlin Balie's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Frans Cronjé shares the most, 2.
Directors
- Frans CronjéShared titles: Born to Win (2014), Break Away (2012)See all 2 shared titles with Frans Cronjé
Actors
- Leoné PienaarShared titles: Born to Win (2014), Break Away (2012)See all 2 shared titles with Leoné Pienaar
- Marie CronjéShared titles: Born to Win (2014), Break Away (2012)See all 2 shared titles with Marie Cronjé
Composers
- Julian WigginsShared titles: Born to Win (2014), Break Away (2012)See all 2 shared titles with Julian Wiggins
Mixed roles
- Ivan GreylingShared titles: Born to Win (2014), Break Away (2012)See all 2 shared titles with Ivan Greyling
