Film Review: "Berlin Syndrome" (2017).

Variety called Berlin Syndrome "Nerve-shredding." This Australian-French psychological thriller film directed by Cate Shortland, adapted by Shaun Grant, and based on the novel of the same name by Melanie Joosten. The film centres on a disturbed teacher who holds a young photographer captive in his Berlin apartment after bringing her home for a night of romance.

Joosten's debut novel won her the 'Kathleen Mitchell Award for Young Writers' and listed her as one of the 'Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist 2012'. The novel was inspired by Joosten's visit to Berlin when she was backpacking Europe solo at the age of twenty-two. By May 2015, Teresa Palmer and Max Riemelt were cast in an adaptation of Joosten's novel, with Shortland directing and Grant penning the adaptation. Riemelt was chosen from a shortlist of 10 male actors; Shortland felt he best portrayed the lack of shame of a true sociopath. Two weeks prior to filming, Palmer and Riemelt stayed together in a small apartment similar to the one on the set. Palmer described her participation on the project as "one of the most transformational experiences" of her life, as well as "the most liberating film experience" of her career. In September, principal photography commenced, and took place in Berlin, Germany and Melbourne, Australia. The Melbourne production design team and art department recreated Andi's apartment on a Docklands sound stage based on the original apartment in Berlin. The majority of scenes in the apartment were shot on that set in Melbourne. The set had working water, gas, and electricity plus a fake wall and greenscreens for the neighbouring building. The apartment is based on a real one, in the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood of Berlin. Shortland commented: "It was a 50- or 60-apartment building with [only] about eight apartments occupied. But all of our young people are flocking there. It's kind of a beautiful idea, wanting to get out and explore, and hoping the artistic and cultural dynamic of the city will rub off on you. It's a place with a lot of community feeling, but in winter it's also an incredibly monstrous, grey, miserable place."

The film stars Teresa Palmer and Max Riemelt. Overall, it's a decent shot at a tall target, but real credit is due the lead actors, with Palmer expanding beyond the already considerable range she's previously shown with an exceedingly dimensional performance in a role that calls for running the gamut, and Riemelt always convincing even if he becomes sickening. Palmer and Riemelt's textured performances turn outrageous circumstances into a tense and surprisingly credible survival tale.

Led by incredible work from Palmer and Riemelt, Berlin Syndrome makes for an unforgettably harrowing—and undeniably fascinating—experience. The film is one of the most impressive piece of filmmaking I've seen in 2017. It is a film of tiny little miracles, it is equally tender and chilling. We are left with a film that manages a degree of humanity in the most unpromising circumstances. It is a substantial achievement.

Simon says Berlin Syndrome receives:

Also, see my review for Lore.