Forboding Yet Psychologically Gripping
Berlin Syndrome (2017) directed by Cate Shortland is a psychological horror thriller that captures the disturbing and chilling aspects of captivity, obsession, and manipulation. The film is based around a novel written by Melanie Joosten and features Teresa Palmer as Clare, an Australian backpacker who visits Berlin, and Max Riemelt as Andi, a charming yet deranged local teacher.
What begins as a passionate romance quickly shape-shifts into horror as love-struck Clare finds herself trapped in Andi’s apartment with no way of escaping. As the days turn into weeks, it soon dawns upon her that he has no plans to set her free. With her surroundings completely devoid of freedom and no one knowing about her location, Clare attempts to cope with Andi’s erratic behavior and seeks to escape before time runs out.
Berlin Syndrome steps beyond the realm of being a mere thriller, becoming a haunting study about control, psychological entrapment, and powerlessness alongside human resilience.
Plot Summary
Clare, an Australian photographer, moves to Berlin and seeks to indulge in the culture while also seeking adventure. She loves to travel alone and spends her time capturing images of the city’s stunning beauty. Andi, a polite and charming English teacher crosses paths with her one day, and their chemistry leads them to a passionate romance, which ends with Clare staying the night at Andi’s apartment.
Morning comes and Clare attempts to leave, but soon finds the doors to the apartment are locked from the outside. First, she thinks it’s a silly mistake until her host comes home and shrugs off her growing concerns. As things progress, her lack of control over the situation places her into a state of panic as she realizes she is being held captive.
Andi’s surface level normality begins degrading as Clare desperately fights for her freedom. He succumbs to his inner sadistic control freak. Andi’s methodical and emotionless approach about keeping Clare imprisoned paints a terrifying picture of him further, as he fundamentally alters her entire reality. The horror deepens as Clare realizes that Andi’s intentions were to use her captivity as a way to emotionally manipulate her.
While Clare battles to keep a grasp of her identity, captor and captives mental combat goes into overdrive. With time, she manages to learn how to stir Andi’s emotions and apply his need for control against him. However, chances to escape get even slimmer with each passing season while Claire is subjugated to staying in his remote apartment.
As Clare’s future hangs unwanted in the balance, the film meticulously works up towards tense and uncertain climax, making sure viewers are restless.
Major Roles and Actors Feature
Australian backpacker Clare, portrayed by Teresa Palmer, is adventurous and lively, which inevitably lands her in a ruthless nightmare. Even though she is imprisoned and is slowlyed worn down towards the end physically and mentally, she still manages to remain strong willed, resourceful, and disentangled. Palmer gave a performance that is deeply poignant, forcing viewers to have an experience of emotions throughout Clare’s journey.
As Andi, Max Riemelt portrays a sadistically charming man who keeps Clare imprisoned in his apartment. He is the most realistic monster one comes across, fusing terrifying cruelty along with normalcy. Riemelt’s performance is even that much more bone chilling because of how menacingly quiet his demeanor is, methodically making Andi appear both controlled yet chaotic at the same time.
Lucie Aron in the role of Franka, Andi’s workmate, gives a performance of someone who has a hint that something is wrong but is completely ignorant and oblivious to the truth.
Matthias Habich as Erich – Like most fathers, Andi’s father is a distant figure, offering Andi glimpses into his complex world.
Clare’s fixation with Andi is symptomatic of his psychosis – a condition that can only be treated through therapy. The reduction in the number of characters in the film increases the panic-filled claustrophobia, accentuating Clare and Andi’s disordered relationship.
Themes and Symbolism
Control and Psychological Manipulation
As one examines Berlin Syndrome, it becomes clear that the driving force of the film revolves around the fundamentally abusive relationship concepts. Clare does not only get separated from the rest of the world, rather she becomes conditioned to a way of life that uses her as a tool. The film documents the intricacy of entrapment and how over time, abuse fades the accomplice’s insurgence.
Obsession vs. Love
Andi’s love for Clare is concealed under a web of obsession. The alleged “love” he holds for her only exists in the form of ownership. The film is an examination of the negative aspect of manhood and the idea of affection as a form of control.
The Fragility of Freedom
A complete shift from Clare, a carefree traveler, to Clar, the locked away woman exemplifies the range for which people have autonomy. When compared to the chaotic life outside and her prison life in an apartment, captures how hidden some deeply terrifying things can be.
Survival and Adaptation
In their captivity, Clare lies, tells Andi what he wants to hear, and at the same time looks for a way out. In this, the film demonstrates the unconquerable vigor of the human spirit. The imagery surrounding survival is bleak – filled with a sullen and taxing mental conflict.
Horror and Thriller Aspects
Constricted Space: The film being set in one location, Andi’s apartment, emphasizes the feeling of imprisonment and despair.
Less Expectable: Andi being a ‘villain’ is terrifying because he is too emotionless. He isn’t a raging maniac; there’s something much more disturbing in his composed manner.
Psychological Horror: Unlike most mainstream horror films which involve gore and jump scares, Berlin Syndrome relies on the psychological aspect. That is—the feeling of being trapped with someone who is dangerous.
Pursuit-Quit: Clare’s searches for a way out while Andi is trying to capture her is very engaging.
Interpretation and Definition of Visual Tech
Camera Work & the Mood
Capturing the mood through camera work seemed to be very personal, yet at the same time suffocating. Capturing her in low light, close up with subdued colors made her appear like a prisoner to herself. The difference between the vibrant streets of Berlin and Andi’s apartment which is cold, white and prison-like demonstrates Clare’s almost claustrophobic feeling.
Score and Sound Design
Clare Andi’s Instructions is a very eerie title and evokes a strange emotional reaction, the sound is stunning. The quiet paired with unexpected loud sounds, for example key noises or whirring noises work beautifully in building suspense and dread.
Pacing & Direction
Cate Shortland wonderfully builds tension with a slow-burn approach, revising the stakes without rushing into intense horror. The pacing matches Clare’s experience bringing the audience to her psychological maze.
Critical Reception and Impact
Positive Aspects:
Teresa Palmer’s Performance – Critics highly appreciated Palmer’s performance describing her portrayal of Clare’s character as emotionally challenging and physically draining.
Tense and Unsettling Atmosphere – The ability of the film to maintain suspense without showing too much violence was praised as well.
Psychological Depth – Berlin Syndrome is unique in its indepth depiction of captivity and psychological manipulation.
Criticism:
Slow Pacing – The pacing of the film in the first half was too tedioos, and some viewers found this slow pace quite obnoxious.
Lack of Deeper Backstory for Andi – While Andi is normal, his character is the most horrifying, some critics thought a deeper foray into his background would have bettered his character.
Unresolved Questions – The film is open to interpretation and does not give explicit answers to all questions it poses which will not sit well with all audiences.
Conclusion
Berlin Syndrome is a captivating psychological thriller, which, like most great films, stays with the audience long after watching it. Its unnerving portrayal of captivity, control, and subjugation’s cruelty makes it one of the most sinister films I’ve watched. One of Theresa Palmer’s best performances come in the form of Clare, a woman whose incredible fear, strength, and desperation are nothing short of breathtaking.
People who appreciate the masterpieces of Room (2015), Misery (1990), or Gerald’s Game (2017) would have no trouble sitting through Berlin Syndrome, which focuses on same dark themes of human obsession and the painful struggle for independence.