In the not-too-distant future Berlin is shocked by a series of spectacular suicides; a policeman's investigations lead him to a beautiful, enigmatic woman and the revelation of a sinister plot to manipulate the population through mass hypnosis.
Production
Berlin Wall-era futurism that accidentally aged perfectly.
Acting
Alan Bates chewing scenery as cult guru Dr. Marsfeldt.
Direction
Chabrol's Hitchcock obsession goes full sci-fi.
Director
Claude Chabrol
Alan Bates
Dr, Marsfeldt / Guru
Jennifer Beals
Sonja Vogler
Jan Niklas
Lt. Claus Hartman
Hanns Zischler
Moser
Benoît Régent
Stieglitz
Peter Fitz
Veidt
Daniela Poggi
Kathi
William Berger
Penck
Michael Degen
Reimar von Geldern
Wolfgang Preiss
Kessler
Isolde Barth
Mrs. Sehr
Andrew McCarthy
Assassin
Tobias Hoesl
Achim
Béatrice Macola
Anna
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Chabrol's only science fiction film, shot in Berlin mere months before reunification — the crumbling Wall adds accidental documentary texture.
Jennifer Beals learned German phonetically for the role; her dubbing was so controversial it created two alternate release versions.
US
