Marc Schrader, a rookie cop caught red-handed with drugs in a police raid of an illegal rave, joins a homicide investigation conducted by Chief Inspector Minks. The victim is a naked young woman with the skin stripped off her back, killed as she staggered into traffic. As Schrader and Minks investigate the murder, the case is complicated by a finger found in the stomach of the victim. Forensic examination proves the finger belongs to Nobert Günzel, who was previously convicted of rape and assault. The police raid Günzel’s residence, and discover a blood-stained table with restraints and bits of human flesh in his basement. They also find video equipment and preserved, tattooed skin from the victim’s back. Soon, they found dead bodies buried in the garden. Günzel then goes missing.
Cinematography
Saturated ugliness—Hamburg never looked more diseased.
Acting
Diehl's spiral from cocky to shattered is quietly devastating.
Direction
Schwentke's Hollywood pivot makes sense—he learned restraint here.
Director
Robert Schwentke
August Diehl
Marc Schrader
Christian Redl
Minks
Nadeshda Brennicke
Maya Kroner
Johan Leysen
Frank Schoubya
Ilknur Bahadir
Meltem
Joe Bausch
Günzel
Fatih Cevikkollu
Dix
Florian Panzner
Poscher
Jasmin Schwiers
Marie Minks
Gustav Peter Wöhler
Scheck
Ingo Naujoks
Stefan Kreiner
Monica Bleibtreu
Roth
Sybille J. Schedwill
Petra
Christiane Scheda
Lynn Wilson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Schwentke later directed Flightplan and Red—this was his brutal calling card.
The film mirrors actual 1990s Hamburg skin trade scandals; the Yakuza tattoo collection motif was based on documented practices.
DE
