A sinister story of obsession, Australian director Cate Shortland’s latest is a tense thriller where backpacker Clare’s (Teresa Palmer) one night stand sees her locked in the Berlin apartment of school teacher Andi (Max Riemelt).
But Berlin Syndrome is no schlock bad guy/good guy shocker. Shortland’s skill, in building tension, is to create an element of sympathy for both characters. Andi’s grief at the death of his father is genuine, as is the continued terror felt by Clare as her imprisonment extends by weeks.
Shortland oozes confidence in (sadly) only her third feature film in 12 years in this stylish thriller/drama.
Rating: 66%
Director: Cate Shortland (Somersault, Lore)
Writer: Shaun Grant (Snowtown, TV’s Janet King) – based on the book by Melanie Joosten
Main cast: Teresa Palmer (Hacksaw Ridge, Warm Bodies), Max Riemelt (Free Fall, TV’s Sense8)
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