User Reviews

This is one of those films that just draws you in. As a Fan of Max Riemelt, I feel that he was such a good choice for this film. That is to say; he has this wonderful way of expressing internal struggle through subtle but meaningful expression.

As for the writers, I thought this was an interesting look into the Psychology of this kind of person. The struggle was so palpable. As the viewer we want him to make the right choice and not hurt anyone, which actually makes the character more relatable because he too wants to make the right choices even through his struggles. While I know most people would cringe at the idea of a Pedophile being relatable, I think it is an excellent way to become more invested in the story.

Another review stated that there wasn't enough backstory, but I like that it wasn't added. To create a story around his past, would mean either justifying or vilifying the character's intentions and I don't feel like that was what the movie was focused on. It took a simple look at the idea of what a person would go through, what the struggles were and how they would handle the pressure. To say that maybe he had been abused in the past would mean, his thoughts and actions are not his fault and just a result of his upbringing. Whereas, with this viewpoint you just accept it as a fact of something rather than a causality.

As for Wolf, I feel that this comparison to an animal that is all alone is a good metaphor for what he must feel. He has no control over his nature, only his actions. The wolf behind a fence so obviously explains the predator he keeps caged inside himself. Then, later when he is trying to make his final decision, this time you see the wolf running free as if to say he will finally let the predator out. Finally, by the end, it is implied that he would rather off himself. I think this was a marvelous back and forth at the end and still there is no final definitive proof as to what he actually ended up doing. Which was absolutely perfect for the overall narrative of 'Will he?' 'Won't he." Whereas, more of the struggle was the character's knowledge of why it is not only wrong in societal views, but in his own emotional state. He had commented that he "Loved" the boy, meaning he would never want to hurt him with further proof by his conversation with another person who encouraged the behavior.

I could go on further about the overall story, but I think I've spoken enough. Good Movie, great casting!

I'm hoping this review will help those who do not speak German decide if they want to watch this film or not. I went into this film not knowing what to really expect and only knew roughly what the subject matter was about based on the trailer. There will be spoilers ahead in my review:

The plot to this film is as follows, it follows Markus, a 30 something male. Markus has a successful job, a nice flat, he is physically very attractive and boxes in his spare time as a means of keeping fit. The 'twist' however is that Markus is sexually attracted to young boys. The film shows Markus deal with this attraction and the pain and anguish it causes him.

I found whilst watching the film, that I noticed a strong similarity between this film and Steve McQueen's 2011 Shame. Whilst the main character in Shame, Brendan, had a sex addiction, the negative consequences of him engaging in this behaviour predominately only affected him whereas if Markus acted on his urges (spoiler: he does not but comes very close several times) the consequences would be far worse and cause devastation for several persons, not just Markus. Both Brendan and Markus spend the majority of the films drowning in their own shame and self-loathing and both films reach their own tragic and depressing climaxes. That being said, I felt more sympathy and compassion for Markus than I did for Brendan, a testament to Riemelt's acting. I would recommend if you've seen this film to give Shame a watch too. Especially if this film left you wanting to seek out others like it.

The scenes between Markus and the wolf, a literal wolf, were overdone and not subtle. In addition, there are several scenes in which Markus engages in acts of self-harm and suicidal behaviours (he bangs his head against a wall repeatedly, he cuts his palm with a knife, he tries to break a glass by gripping it, he stands over a motorway flyover looking down and, in the climax of the film, slashes his wrists with a knife) There was no 'trigger warnings' for these scenes at the start of the film and as a non-German speaker who had only seen the trailer prior to the actual movie, I was caught off guard. Then again, you don't watch a film like this if you expect an easy ride.

Markus also lives a very lonely and isolated existence. He lives alone, he rejects offers by both a female colleague and those at the gym to socialise and when he does initially advise a doctor about his problem, the doctor reacts with disgust and unprofessionalism rather than refer Markus to a psychiatrist. In fact, it's only by chance that Markus finally is able to speak to a psychiatrist that specialises in Markus's issue but unfortunately, the psychiatrists lectures Markus and imposes strict and at times unworkable rules for him in order to reduce any risk that Markus may offend. Is it so realistic that if a boy gets on the train that Markus should just simply get off of it? In addition, there's no discussion between Markus or the psychiatrist about what Markus could do as an alternative to obsessing and fixating on young boys. There is also no discussion about how empty and lonely Markus life is and the psychiatrist also doesn't bring up the subject of chemical castration to Markus in spite of Markus saying at their first meeting that he wants to be cured of his affliction. I would have liked someone, not necessarily the psychiatrist, to give Markus some optimism and some sense of belonging. I felt it unnecessary and borderline cruel that his sister waited until he was lying in a hospital bed with both wrists bandaged up to tell him that she and their parents wanted nothing more to do with him. I understood her need to protect her own son, but did that necessarily mean that all of his family had to abandon him when he needed them the most?

That's not to say that the psychiatrist did not make some very good points. Because of such a strong association with criminality and universal disgust, we forget to acknowledge that having such thoughts in and of themselves is not criminal. It's not illegal to think or have untoward fantasies or desires. As mentioned above, it does not appear that Markus has actually harmed or abused a child and whilst the online conversations we see him have with another peadophile, he doesn't necessarily show the same level of comfort or enthusiasm as the person on the other end of the computer. I did think the way the Dr framed it as Markus suffering from a psychological condition was helpful for both the character and the viewer.

The scenes with Jessica and Arthur are stressful to watch. The scenes where it was just Markus and Arthur leaves you with a feeling of absolute dread in your stomach, even though Markus hasn't done anything explicitly inappropriate.

The ending feels inevitable, especially as Markus had displayed the typical warning sign behaviour as the film got closer to the end and it was presented like it was the only alternative Markus had to meeting Arthur in secret and presumably actually offending. I don't agree with other reviewers who have said this film had an 'open ending', it didn't. We know what happened even if it was not explicitly filmed. I do not believe Markus changed his mind or survived this time, the shots of the immaculate apartment and the calm, almost tranquil expression Markus had when he looked in the mirror only add to this.

Some may take major issue with this ending, especially those who may watch this film having the same affliction as Markus and I have read other reviews suggesting the film presents suicide as an acceptable alternative to persons dealing with said affliction. It could be interpreted this way, sure. But it could also be interpreted as a result of the character's complete isolation as by the end of the film, his sister and parents have disowned him, Jessica and her son have moved out of the building and there appeared to be no follow up care for Markus after the first hospitalisation. I found myself almost feeling relief for him by the end.

To summarise: A strong and powerful debut from Savas Ceviz which dares to deal with a harrowing and completely undesirable topic. Riemelt was a clever casting choice and I found the film gripping, disturbing and ultimately painful to watch. The use of the wolf metaphor was a bit too much and the ending is bound to invite controversy but as mentioned, a strong debut.

This film dealing with a tough subject: Pedophilia,really captured my attention. Being a fan of Max Riemelt, I am always amazed at the range of roles that he explores. Never one to play it safe! I found myself feeling sorry for him especially when the first doctor threw him out of the office, when he desperately called out for help. When he finally visits a psychiatrist that will listen to him without judgment, he is not given much hope. Couldn't he have given him some medication or have recommended a sex rehabilition program for him attend? Surely, there must be some form of treatment for this disorder. No one should have to contemplate suicide as Markus did. The acting was superb and Max Riemelt has once again proven himself to be one of the finest actors in German cinema.

In German cinema/