The Calendar Killer

(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.

And there it is again, and it bothers me as a German viewer especially, the well-known problem of German film: this extreme artificiality. People act and talk according to a script, but not the way they would in real life. Actors act in front of the camera as if they were on a theater stage. The camera is 10 cm in front of their face, but they act as if this were an evening for the 10th row in the 2nd tier. And when you add to that such a thin plot that makes me wonder who didn't notice the huge gaps, the result just can't be good. And it isn't. The movie suffers from many things at once and suffocates from its clichés.

Klara has an abusive marriage to Martin, but Martin holds something over her. She had mental problems, and was sent to a less than ideal place, so he holds it over her. If she disobeys, he will send her back. And he justifies his abuse in that she accepts it. She has a daughter Amelie that she is very protective of. Jules is working a help line. He used to be in the fire service handling calls, but had a terrible experience, so now is on a help line. His help is to stay with the person who calls for help until the danger has passed, such as when they are walking home at night. One night he gets a call from Klara, who has gotten a message from the Calendar Killer. Either she or her husband will be killed by midnight. For a good part of the movie, one sees how Jules is trying to help her. She knows her husband is very abusive, but she cannot leave him. And many critics simply do not understand what that is all about. Where the movie fails is towards the end, with the twist it takes. And that is unfortunate, as until then, a fairly compelling story, with lots of tension, is presented.

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.

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!