The Calendar Killer

It's not every day that you get to see a real psychological shocker from the German-speaking world. Only a global streaming service like AMAZON PRIME VIDEO can finance that. And Sebastian FITZEK is also a sure guarantee of success. The Berliner, born in 1971, has been writing successful novels in the thriller genre for years. THE WAY HOME was published in 2020 and has now been made into a film by the Caracas-born director Adolfo KOLMERER (who shot several episodes of the very exciting ARD series ODERBRUCH) as THE CALENDAR KILLER.

There is a serial killer on the loose in Berlin who threatens to murder couples on set days. Klara (Luise HEYER) has also received such a warning: she or her husband Martin (Friedrich MÜCKE) are to die. In her distress, Klara has often turned to the escort hotline, which promises to accompany women on their way home by telephone in dangerous situations. The sensitive Jules (Sabin TAMBREA) works there and accompanies the frightened Klara through an eventful night, at least on the phone.

Not a bad idea for a modern thriller! However, flashbacks and improbabilities mean that the tension is less than it could be. The actors are very convincing, and Rainer BOCK plays a very dubious supporting role. The film's production is excellent, but it is not a masterpiece of the genre. However, the film shows what would be possible in the German-speaking entertainment industry if more people in charge dared to try out unusual narrative styles. At least a start has been made. It's worth a look!

"The Calendar Killer" wants to be something different. From the title alone, it projects a sense of self-righteousness, an air of significance. I wanted to buy in - I really did. The dark, moody atmosphere, the German dialogue that demands full attention. It had promise. But as the mystery unfolds, so do its flaws, unraveling in ways that feel less like a carefully plotted puzzle and more like a slow descent into absurdity.

The protagonist is sympathetic enough, the kind of character you're supposed to root for. And at first, I did. But then she makes choices - bewildering, frustrating choices - that seem completely divorced from reality. The kind that pull you out of the story rather than deeper into it. The film wades into sensitive territory, clearly aiming for depth, but it never quite lands the punch. Instead, it fumbles its message, leaving the protagonist delivering a speech that should resonate, should mean something. Instead, it frustrates.

That's when it lost me. I can suspend disbelief when a story earns it, when the logic of its world holds together. But here? Here, the cracks are too big, the missteps too frequent. And for a film that wants you to think, to reflect, to feel something meaningful - it instead achieves something else entirely. An eye roll.

This is a German movie which I started watching in the dubbed English like many dubbed movies the accents and choice of words diminishes the whole character of the movie. The weird posh accents just seemed to robotic, so I watched in German with translation. It was much better

"The Calendar Killer" delivers a tense and chilling thriller that effectively explores the psychological impact of domestic abuse. The film masterfully builds suspense, leaving the audience constantly on edge as Klara's paranoia escalates. The performances are strong, particularly Luise Heyer as Klara, who portrays her character's fear and desperation with raw intensity.

However, the film's reliance on familiar thriller tropes and predictable twists can diminish its impact. The pacing occasionally falters, and some plot points feel contrived. While the exploration of domestic abuse adds a layer of depth, it sometimes overshadows the suspense elements.

Overall, "The Calendar Killer" is a gripping watch with a compelling premise, but it struggles to fully break free from genre conventions. It's a solid thriller that will keep viewers engaged, but may leave some wanting more originality and depth.

(2024) The Calendar Killer/ Sebastian Fitzeks Der Heimweg (In German with English subtitles) PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

At the intro from the news media about the "Calendar Killer" for the reason he has been given that name is because he jots the exact day each victim is going to be killed. The difference is viewers do not know who "The Calendar killer" is nor know what he looks like, until the very end. The next scene has Jules (Sabin Tambrea) in charge of his own call in hotline for women called "Walk Me Home Hotline" and giving some helpful and useful advice to a lady who phoned in regarding a group of men. And as a result of some advice, she managed to wait around long enough to get on to her bus. Jules next caller is Klara (Luise Heyer) who she is on a midlife crisis claiming she was on the domain of the killer himself until she found a way to escape. And for the next hour or so, we know more about the lives of both Klara and Jules. From Klara and her so called important abusive husband, Martin (Friedrich Mücke) and how Jules motivated to have his own "walk me home" service operator, that has something to do with the loss of his wife while he was working as a 911 operator.

The revelation that lead up to the Calendar killer makes no sense as viewers are completely oblivious about his connection and his previous victims whomever that might be.

This Sebastian Fitzek adaptation attempts to wrap a serious subject such as domestic violence in a thriller with horror elements, but fails miserably due to the lurid and implausible production. The plot is contrived and overloaded, the characters act irrationally, and any emotion is left by the wayside. Instead of creating concern or suspense, the film loses itself in clichéd twists and pseudo-dramatic moments. A sensitive subject is misused in a clumsy way that not only disappoints but also annoys. Unfortunately a low point, despite solid acting, especially by Luise Heyer - 2.5 out of 10 stars.