19 November 2018
Arthouse thriller Berlin Syndrome lands on Showmax
Update: Berlin Syndrome has unfortunately expired. Browse the full Showmax movie catalogue for similar titles here.
- Premiered at Sundance 2017 to four-star reviews
- “Unbearably tense… left me in a cold sweat.” Time Out
- From Cate Shortland, recently signed by Marvel to direct Black Widow with Scarlett Johansson
- Starring Teresa Palmer, now the lead in 2018 hit series A Discovery of Witches
Berlin Syndrome is now streaming first and only on Showmax, continuing the platform’s run of exclusive, critically acclaimed arthouse hit films like Raw and A Ghost Story, two of critic aggregator Rotten Tomatoes’ highest rated films of 2017.
While holidaying in Berlin, Australian photographer Clare (Teresa Palmer from I Am Number Four and Warm Bodies) meets Andi (Max Riemelt from Sense8), a charismatic local. There is an instant attraction and a night of passion ensues. Clare wakes the next morning to discover Andi has left for work and locked her in his apartment. An easy mistake to make, of course, if it is a mistake…
Berlin Syndrome premiered at Sundance last year, earning four-star reviews in the likes of The Guardian, Empire and Time Out. The Guardian wrote, “The film creates the kind of tension that sucks the very air from the cinema”; Empire called it “A corker… a complex battle of wills, full of compelling character dynamics, psychological nuance, great filmmaking and high-voltage tension”; and Time Out praised it as “unbearably tense… the final showdown left me in a cold sweat.”
Adapted from Melanie Joosten’s award-winning debut novel, Berlin Syndrome was nominated for five 2018 Film Critics Circle of Australia awards, including Best Film, winning Best Original Music for Bryony Marks.
As Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus says, “Berlin Syndrome offers thriller fans an uncommonly well-written descent into dangerous obsession, enlivened by taut direction and a committed performance from Teresa Palmer.”
Berlin Syndrome is the third feature from director Cate Shortland, following on from Somersault, which screened in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, and Lore, which won the Audience Award at Locarno and Best Narrative Feature at Abu Dhabi and was Australia’s Oscar entry. As Empire says, “Berlin Syndrome confirms Cate Shortland as a distinctive, cherishable talent in her most accessible movie to date.” So much so that Marvel has since hired her to direct Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson.
Similarly, lead actress Teresa Palmer graduated from Berlin Syndrome to the lead role in A Discovery of Witches, based on Deborah Harkness’ bestselling fantasy novels and currently at #22 on IMDB’s Most Popular TV Shows list. It’s been such a hit that Sky One have already ordered two more seasons.
Watch Berlin Syndrome first and only on Showmax. But be warned: it may ruin carefree one-night-stands for you forever…
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.
“This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans.” Koek director
SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel talks about directing the critically acclaimed crime comedy Koek, now streaming on Showmax.
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.