Synopsis
The Privilege, a German supernatural thriller produced by Netflix in 2022, narrates a dark psychological story that intricately weaves elements of horror, science fiction, and conspiracy into a singular narrative. Directed by Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde, the movie features a wealthy German teenager whose life unravels as he discovers unsettling truths about his family, friends, and the society around him.
The plot centers on Finn Bergmann, a fictional character played by Max Schimmelpfennig. An 18 years aged high school student comes from an affluent background and is haunted by the traumatic experience of losing his sister Anna. Having dismissed as an accident or suicide, Anna’s death deeply impacted her younger brother Finn. Throughout the film, he struggles with hallucinations, nightmares, and a pervasive dread. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that at least some of his fears may not be entirely irrational.
Finn is beginning to connect the dots, noticing that his medications— which have been prescribed to him after Anna’s death— hallucinations are increasingly common. A strange sequence of events which includes a teacher acting inexplicably strange, a friend committing suicide unexpectedly, as well as disturbing patterns of behavior among people he knows and his perception of the world around him. With the help of Lena and Samira, he begins to untangle the truth lurking beneath the surface of his seemingly flawless existence.
What they uncover is a dark secret involving a powerful and secretive pharmaceutical company linked to Finn’s wealthy family. The company is suspected to be involved in the distribution of a drug intended to suppress memories and emotions, possibly as part of a larger, more sinister experiment concerning demonic possession or the transfer of consciousness. The deeper Finn probes, the more shocking truths he uncovers. His parents, some faculty at his elitist school, and other members of what appears to be a cult work towards preserving the minds of the world’s most influential elites by housing increasingly younger bodies, hosting parasitic entities—a form of bizarre immortality.
The film integrates concepts of deception, technological control, generational manipulation, and paranoia into Finn’s search for the truth, which, at this point, has transformed into a struggle for existence. As both Finn and his friends are being pursued, the film increases in intensity and pace. Both answers and more questions are still left to be uncovered in the ambiguous, yet tense, climactic confrontation. The conclusion suggests the static view of the controlling elite’s power and questions autonomy, free will, and privilege’s cost.
The Privilege unveils a fusion of emerging and accomplished German actors that enrich the timeline’s story with vivid emotions and authenticity.
Finn Bergmann is played by Max Schimmelpfennig: best known from his role in the acclaimed series Dark, Schimmelpfennig showcases a multi-layered performance as psychology’s more fragile claim-jumper Finn. Within his role as Finn, Schimmelpfennig expresses both sides of the emotionally torn man that are equally enticing to the audience – vulnerability and resolve.
Lea van Acken as Lena: van Acken, famously known from The Crown and Stations of the Cross, portrays Finn’s bright and fiercely loyal friend who aids in the truth-seeking mission. Her performance in the film is one of the contributing factors to the deepening emotional tension.
Tijan Marei as Samira: Samira, a friend and an ally of Finn, is a character who is composed and grounded yet assertive. Marei does a commendable job of portraying her character, thus enhancing the performance synergy of the trio.
Finn’s rich and enigmatic parents are played by Roman Knizka and Caroline Hartig. They add a layer of cold authority and ambient mystery that propels the film’s tension.
Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde, who previously worked on The Ruby Red Trilogy, serve as the film’s visionaries, demonstrating that The Privilege has gained from their collaboration. Their familiarity with adapting multi-genre narratives works to keep the balance of horror, science fiction, and teen drama in the film The Privilege.
Sebastian Niemann, Katharina Schöde, and Eckhard Vollmar collaborated to create the screenplay, integrating elements of the supernatural with modern-day conspiracy theories. While the social commentary regarding classism and control, privilege and generational control within societies is strong, the execution does err slightly towards being heavy-handed.
Bejnarowicz Jakub serves as the cinematographer for the film, making significant contributions to the eerie aesthetic of the film. The soundtracks ominous atmosphere, pulsating electronic beats, and atmospheric melodies combine to capture the feeling of tension. The mood and feeling of paranoia and unease is further felt through dark sterile settings, muted lighting, and the camera work.
IMDb Ratings
The Privilege has a 5.3 rating on IMDb, which indicates a mixed reception from fans and industry professionals alike. While some critics have complimented the film’s concept and aesthetic, many viewers felt that the execution and the narrative were disjointed and shallow.
Psychological horror elements initially suggest an intriguing premise before morphing into an overly ambitious, sci-fi twist. While some viewers appreciated this shift, critics seem to be divided on its reception. Further blending of demonic possession with corporate conspiracy along with transhumanism is strikingly bold, but, more often than not, falls short of a cohesive presentation.
Even when the script fails, as it does often throughout the film, the young cast’s strong performances and the moody cinematography support Finn’s engaging character arc. A highlight for many was Max Schimmelpfennig, who portrayed Finn with emotional realism, skillfully anchoring the story’s surreal aspects.
Those familiar with European genre cinema or fans of Dark, Black Mirror, or The Innocents found The Privilege to be a worthwhile, albeit imperfect addition to the adolescent supernatural thriller category. The film tackled grandiose issues such as the commodification of youth, mental health medication, and elitist immortality. These themes were unique for a teenager’s supernatural film, even if at times the storytelling felt heavy on exposition.
Conclusion
The Privilege is daring in its attempt to blend horror, science fiction, and teenage drama into a single narrative, wrapped within a conspiracy that mirrors contemporary concerns surrounding power, pharmaceuticals, and the inheritance of anxieties across generations. This film does not fully leverage its bold premise, but it rewards the viewer with visually intriguing and thematically stimulating content. Enhancing these takeaways are strong performances alongside the often-evocative visuals, consistent eerie tone, and a sometimes muddled plot, which is counterbalanced by uneven pacing. For those open to taking a fantastical ride rooted in German sensibility, The Privilege contains enough unconventional thrills intertwined with deeper reflection to merit viewing, forgiving the flaws.
Although it does not achieve the status of a genre-defining thriller, The Privilege stands out for its efforts to depict the relationship between youth, wealth, and the illusion of immortality in a contemporary society heavily influenced by technology — a portrayal that is strikingly relevant in today’s world.
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