Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Tom Schilling | ... | Benjamin | |
Elyas M'Barek | ... | Max | |
Wotan Wilke Möhring | ... | Stephan | |
Antoine Monot Jr. | ... | Paul | |
Hannah Herzsprung | ... | Marie | |
Stephan Kampwirth | ... | Martin Bohmer | |
Trine Dyrholm | ... | Hanne Lindberg | |
Leopold Hornung | ... | Oskar | |
Katharina Matz | ... | Hilde Engel | |
Leonard Carow | ... | MRX | |
Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey | ... | Paradise Pizza Manager | |
Matthias Neukirch | ... | Dr. Arnow | |
Nils Borghardt | ... | Glatze NBD | |
Alexander Hauff | ... | Karl-Heinz Vogt | |
Antonia Putiloff | ... | BKA Hackerin |
Benjamin (TOM SCHILLING) is invisible, a nobody. This changes abruptly when he meets charismatic Max (ELYAS M'BAREK). Even though they couldn't seem more different from the outside, they share the same interest: hacking. Together with Max's friends, the impulsive Stephan (WOTAN WILKE MÖHRING) and paranoid Paul (ANTOINE MONOT), they form the subversive Hacker collective CLAY (CLOWNS LAUGHING @ YOU). CLAY provokes with fun campaigns and speaks for a whole generation. For the first time in his life, Benjamin is part of something and even the attractive Marie (HANNAH HERZSPRUNG) begins noticing him. But fun turns into deadly danger when CLAY appears on the BKA's (Bundeskriminalamt, Federal Criminal Police Office) as well as Europol's most wanted list. Hunted by Cybercrime investigator Hanne Lindberg (TRINE DYRHOLM), Benjamin is no longer a nobody, but instead one of the most wanted hackers in the world. Written by Wiedemann & Berg Film
It is not very often that a German movie tries to do something else than Til Schweiger / Schweighöfer standard comedy. Who am I is one of those very rare films from Germany which deals with a serious subject, has a serious tone and plot and can compete with international movies in the same budget range.
This movie - regarding the mediocre budget - surprisingly can compete with international films. The plot is constantly exciting, the actors are very good, especially Tom Schilling in the lead role. And the ending is something I have never seen in a German film before. A real mindfvck and very clever.
The film is unique in its way to show the Darknet (no spoilers) in a very understandable way. The chosen imagery to show what is going on behind the screen is innovative and is visualized in a way, even people without knowledge of the subject can easily understand and follow the plot.
Who am I definitely is one of the best German thrillers I've ever seen and easily one of the best German films in this century so far. It is good to see young and talented German directors get the chance to finally make movies which do not need to hide behind Swedish or french films. This movie thankfully does not feel "typisch Deutsch" but much more mature and with a better production design than the "typical" German movie feels.
Yes, this movie is not very original and has some minor flaws. However, as the first serious German film outside the boring history drama genre in years (the last one was HELL if I remember correctly), I can ignore them. I really hope this film is a door opener for more well-produced German films in the future which might even become international hits. Something, the Swedish and french cinema already achieved.
9 / 10