USA | Germany 2024
Opening August 1, 2024

Directed by: Jordan Scott
Writing credits: Nicholas Hogg, Jordan Scott
Principal actors: Sadie Sink, Eric Bana, Sophie Rois, Jonas Dassler, Sylvia Hoeks

Ben Monroe (Eric Bana) is on sabbatical to a university in Berlin, Germany, when sixteen-year-old Mazzy (Sadie Sink) arrives for a semester under Dad’s care to resurrect her grades. Instead of meeting her at the airport, though, Ben is with his colleague Max (Stephan Kampwirth), a social psychologist; he has arranged with the police that Max accompany him to a particularly peculiar crime scene. Very peculiar indeed. As they arrive two detectives (Alexander Schubert, Sylvia Hoeks) are dutifully gathering evidence; Nina recognizes Ben. She read his book and wants to exchange/discuss hypotheses that cross their different fields of study. There is a mutual attraction.

Meanwhile, Mazzy meets Martin (Jonas Dassler) while navigating her way from the airport. She starts school, makes friends. Martin’s grandmother (Daphna Rosenthal) takes a rest leaving him bereft. Ben and Nina meet outside of work. And surfacing along the social media byways is an “infomercial” about a quasi-religious, esoteric, lifestyle changing group that is gaining recognition. “The group is everything” is its motto and it features Hilma (Sophie Rois). Eventually, Martin wants to introduce Mazzy to his wider group of friends. Just as he did for his friend Lotte (Lara Feith).

Inspired by Nicholas Hogg’s novel that is described as a noirish classic about a cult survivor, English writer-director Jordan Scott’s screenplay fails woefully to deliver. The dialogue is laced with brainless words and includes lines so transparent there are few surprises, much less shock, in store for audiences. The cast do well enough with what they have to work with; none of the characters are developed, i.e., they fail to engage viewers. Production values are fine, and Volker Bertelmann’s music is good. Quite a forgettable film, which is a shame considering its tantalizing theme—cults and survivors. 94 minutes (Marinell H.)