Storywise "Antikörper" isn't the most original movie around. It has been called the German "Silence of the Lambs" for some good reasons and the movie also has different elements from other similar type of successful movies in it, such as for instance Davind Fincher's "Se7en".It's a rather well directed movie, with a good style but yet the execution of it isn't what it could had been. This again has some to do with the fact that the movie isn't always being original enough of its own. Also the storytelling is a bit lacking at times, which perhaps can be blamed on it that the movie at times tries to be overly artistic and deep with its intentions. It doesn't always make the story believable enough. Those are the downsides of "Antikörper", an otherwise good movie to watch, from young German director Christian Alvart. For a €1,900,000 budget movie this one is a real great accomplishment and it's rather low budget can be seen nowhere back in the movie. Yet the movie didn't do very well at the box office at its native country for some reason.It's a well cast movie with actors that already had plenty of experience under their belts. Wotan Wilke Möhring and André Hennicke play the most important characters of the movie and they do this well. They are part of the reason why the movie overall has a realistic and gritty look and feeling over it. This movie is not just a German Krimi, it's an overall effective thriller that is perhaps not always being original but it's all done good nevertheless.7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

This dark, dark thriller grabs you and won't let go.The film begins when two beat cops are called to an apartment house where screams have been heard. When they go to investigate, an all out firefight takes place between the criminal and the police. The criminal, Gabriel Engel, is caught and it is discovered that he is a serial killer for whom the police have been searching for a number of years. It is believed that he had raped, mutilated, and murdered thirteen boys and one girl. Engel readily admits to killing the boys, but claims that he did not murder the girl.The scene then shifts to the small, country hamlet where the girl was murdered. Michael Martens is a farmer and the part-time constable of the village, and he has raised the ire of the villagers by thinking that the murder had been committed by one of them. Martens' greatest detractor is his father-in-law - a man who would make Adolph Hitler shiver.Martens is a deeply religious and pious man with strong convictions. These personality traits do not endear him to his fellow citizens. His stance on the murder is causing a strain within his own family in addition to his problems with the villagers. His wife is cold, and his son - a friend of the murdered girl - is detached and having social and psychological problems. Even Martens' priest is disapproving shown by an emotion charged scene in church in which he withholds the Eucharist from Martens at communion while he gives a thinly veiled lecture to the congregation on the topic of trust and suspicion. All of Martens problems are enhanced when Engel is arrested and it is reported inaccurately in the press that he is responsible for the death of the girl.Engel is a highly intelligent and evil man and expresses desire to speak with Martens. Thus begins a battle of wills between good and evil. Engel professes not to have murdered the girl but claims to know the identity of the real murderer. It is clearly Engel's motive to destroy a very good man. During the ensuing confrontations and investigations, much is revealed about Martens and his will is severely challenged.Needless-to-say, the entire film is a religious allegory - after all, the two main characters are named Michael and Gabriel and they engage in an intense battle of wills.To disclose any more would certainly spoil the viewing enjoyment for anyone interested in this hypnotic film. If you are a fan of dark, chilling thrillers, I guarantee that, you too, will be glued to your seat while watching this extraordinary motion picture.

This movie grabs you from the beginning as something that is original and daring. It is not just another police/serial killer drama, but one that is well worth watching despite the fact that it is in German.With haunting music by Michl Britsch, songs by Nadeshda Brennicke, and brilliant cinematography by Hagen Bogdanski (how can you not be brilliant when filming in Germany, one of the most beautiful countries on Earth?), you will quickly forget the language barrier and enjoy.The acting in this film is among the finest I have seen.You will see things during the police interrogation that you have never seen before.The intricate cat and mouse between the rural policeman and the rapist/serial killer is captivating. The line between good and evil is thoroughly analyzed and tested to the point where you are not sure of it's location.The last twenty minutes...what a treasure to watch!

Many of the reviews for the film draws a comparison between this film and Silence of the Lambs. I'll start there as well. The similarity in plot is glaring--an inexperienced law enforcement officer uses a serial killer's fascination with their vulnerability to solve a crime.However, the two films have very different flavors--I guess that's the best way I can describe it. Both have their strengths--Silence of the Lambs has a better structure, pacing, arguably the better cinematography, set design...it is also a more traditional thriller. Because the killer is yet to be caught, there's an imminent threat and constraint on time throughout the movie.Antibodies is more of a psychological drama than Silence of the Lambs. In its core, the film is about a man's struggle with his competence: competence as a father, a husband, a Catholic, a cop, and as a town leader of sorts. It is more subtle, and uses a man's transformation and his growing fear as a means to progress the story, rather than successive uncovering of clues or what-not.The film questions morality, human nature, Catholicism, divinity, etc. in a pretty interesting way--almost reminds me of The Exorcist in its thematic expression of sin, evil, and guilt. By the way, it comes off very clear to me that the film maker is a Catholic, even just in his exploration of guilt and sin. The ending makes it obvious. Don't let that put you off (if you're the type that would get put off by it), however, as it's not overwhelming--it's done in a very tasteful and subtle way that builds up the character than really anything else.Film structure is not as good as SOTL (but that's a really high bar to be compared to)--the opening is pretty awesome, but the movie lets its pacing loosen for a little while after that. The construction and editing does get tighter as the movie progresses--the lead-up to the ending is suffocating as the tension reaches its peak.Acting is very competent from the two leads. I generally like the job that the rest of the cast has done as well. Cinematography is very good.The only thing that I still haven't made up my mind about is the ending--whether I like it or not. I guess what happens to the main character makes sense to me thematically, but I just didn't like the execution. The CGI was distracting and the helicopter was a bit overly-dramatic for me.Overall, I do recommend it. It's a very good, solid film--highly above average both in its genre and in overall film industry.