Im Schatten der Angst

This thriller does not break new ground. Plotwise there are quite a few things to frown upon. But this is well made and directed. And above all it is a showpiece for two of the best german language acting talents of their respective generations. Justus von Dohnnányi doesn't miss a beat in this duel. The star, of course, is Julia Koschitz, elfin, vulnerable, brilliant and unstoppable. This Austrian/German tv production from 2019 is way above average. Not surprisingly, it reached the number 1 spot after its streaming release on Netflix.de. The story reminds of a german language series that was also numero uno for weeks on Netflix just a few weeks ago, also with Dohnányi. Won't tell you, which one. Don't want to spoil anything. Sad to say, the second case of Julia Koschitz as troubled psychiatrist from 2023 is not as good, as far as I remember (Im Schatten der Angst - Du sollst nicht lügen).

Well not a literal translation of the original title - so as always no pun intended. The movie is clearly made for TV - checking almost all boxes of TV movies. You have to swim through a lot of cliches so the movie is going to be able to work for you. The actors are good enough I reckon ... but they also have to ... fight against the script ... which means no easy way out.

You have to love thrillers to dig it. And then suspend your disbelief - characters do act and react in ways that feel nonsensical to say the least. Not easy to stay calm throughout to be honest. I've seen worse, but also way better. The movie is quite straightforward and predictable ... still for fans of the genre or the actors worth a watch I reckon.