I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Very well executed

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

"Antikörper" or "Antibodies" is a German 2-hour film from over 10 years ago written and directed by Christian Alvart. This movie about a serial killer and the detective who tries to get him to confess is a film that is fairly famous, also in non-German-speaking countries. And that is why I believe the film gives a bad name to German cinema. The story is realistic only in terms of the very basic action. Everything else is pompous garbage that does not make any sense and has nothing to do with reality. One example would be the way police work is depicted during the entire film. It has nothing to do with police work in reality. And apart from that, of course, the main character is also part of the killer's history, or I should maybe say his son. Have you ever heard about the term bias or prejudice? He should not even be allowed to work on the case. Oh wait, he is of course the one who finds out during the interrogations that there is a link between the killer and the son.Other than that, Möhring's character never looks like he would be a police detective at all. People may say that he was just playing a role that he is weak and so on but I don't believe that. Apart from that, the film includes pointless depiction of violence against animals, apparently only to show us how cold-blooded the characters are. Oh yes, driving over a hedgehog makes you a really bad-ass guy, doesn't it? And then there is the topic of religion. The film is packed with quotes from the bible from start to finish, so Alvart obviously also wanted to make this a really controversial film. It is no such thing. None of it feels authentic, all of it feels included for the sake of it. As if somebody was randomly opening pages from the Bible and picking quotes to use in this film. Really pathetic. I find it funny how people criticize the films of Lommel or Boll, but consider this one here a good film, maybe even a masterpiece. Awards bodies and other reviewers here on IMDb could not have been more wrong. The story is a complete joke and the dialogue writing in here (especially for the killer) is something that justifies for the makers to go back to film school. It is a bit of a pity as most of the actors in here are way better than what they can show us here. A dreadful film. The final scene involves a man about to shoot his own son with a police helicopter approaching in order to tell him that he shouldn't as the son is innocent. Do I need to say more? Worst possibly case of empty bait and style over substance. Highly not recommended.

"Antibodies" tips it hand far too early and closes with an inexplicable third act, but succeeds in creating an unsettling atmosphere with a palpable sense of terror throughout. Slick and sadistic, this German serial killer thriller delivers some chills respectively, but it's not nearly as clever or as compelling as it thinks it is. Serial killer Gabriel Engels (Andre Hennicke) is captured while fleeing from his apartment, because he is the prime suspect in the killing a young girl several years earlier. Small-town cop Michael Martens (Wotan Wilke Möhring) has been investigating the 18-month-old unsolved murder, and may now have his big break in the case. Michael must go to the big city to interrogate the suspect, in the hopes that he'll get a confession. His decision unexpectedly pays dividends, and details slowly begin to surface. Möhring's deeply conflicted performance anchors the movie, as the confession from Engels and his mind games slowly push Michael back towards his own hometown. But soon, as Martens comes under the influence of Engels, he finds himself in a dark place and questions his own faith, as well as his entire existence. The plot twists and mind games that should shock and surprise are transparent and obvious, while director Christian Alvart tips his hand too early in a film where the run time clocks in at two plus hours. The third act of "Antibodies" shifts its primary focus to Michael and his son, and it creates one of the strangest biblical allusions I've ever seen. The story shifts from the profile of a serial killer to that of a man's existential identity crisis, and then to his redemption, when he didn't seem to deserve it in the first place. Desperately attempting to create the illusion of something profound, it backfires and comes across as absolutely absurd. In comparison to other films in the serial killer genre, this one hovers somewhere just above middle of the pack at best.

Producers tried to promote this as the German answer to „Silence of the Lambs" and every second, the film tries so very hard at fulfilling this premise – but in the end it's just wishful thinking and trying (unsuccessfully) to emulate the original.So where did "Antikörper" go wrong? Well, "Silence of the Lambs" had many things going for it: a brilliant cast, an excellent director and was based on a very successful, poignant novel. Neither of this can be said about the crew and premise of "Antikörper".The story itself is simple: a brutal yet brilliant serial killer is comprehended, jailed and (dying from Aids) interrogated by a troubled countryside cop. The naïve cop, intellectually no match for the killer, is soon absorbed by the twists of a psychopathic mind.Nothing new or non-predictable in ways of the story. The film comes across like a overblown episode of German crime series "Tatort" (and I mean the recent, filmed with video "Tatort"), which is clearly the fault of a director more at home with TV than cinema. Indeed, director Christian Alvart would go on to direct "Tatort" and similar minded TV-products.Secondarily, the acting is generally dreadful. Wotan Wilke Möhring, playing the investigating cop, is fondly remembered as Tourette syndrome-plagued stoner in the cult comedy "Lammbock" but has neither skill nor charisma to carry a film like "Antikörper". Flat is the best word to describe his performance. Same goes for Möhrings antagonist, André Hennicke, the semi-demonic Gabriel Engel (and, yes, naming your serial killer "Gabriel Angel" would have classified most other screenwriters as a hack): he tries his best to come across as Anthony Hopkins-like super-serial killer but remains throughout a pale caricature of the original Hannibal; good enough for the TV- but by no means good enough for the big-screen.Since the film is relatively gore-free (the German word is "sauber"), it relies on a couple of explicit scenes, involving anal intercourse and teenage masturbation. Those scenes are awkward (saying it kindly) and, again, Möhring makes as good a passionate lover as he does an inspector.There is an infinite number of "Silence of the Lambs" rip-offs and interpretations being produced internationally – save yourself "Antikörper" because in this two hours you could watch a better one anytime.3 out of 10 – and that's called 'generous'.

This dark, dark thriller grabs you and won't let go.The film begins when two beat cops are called to an apartment house where screams have been heard. When they go to investigate, an all out firefight takes place between the criminal and the police. The criminal, Gabriel Engel, is caught and it is discovered that he is a serial killer for whom the police have been searching for a number of years. It is believed that he had raped, mutilated, and murdered thirteen boys and one girl. Engel readily admits to killing the boys, but claims that he did not murder the girl.The scene then shifts to the small, country hamlet where the girl was murdered. Michael Martens is a farmer and the part-time constable of the village, and he has raised the ire of the villagers by thinking that the murder had been committed by one of them. Martens' greatest detractor is his father-in-law - a man who would make Adolph Hitler shiver.Martens is a deeply religious and pious man with strong convictions. These personality traits do not endear him to his fellow citizens. His stance on the murder is causing a strain within his own family in addition to his problems with the villagers. His wife is cold, and his son - a friend of the murdered girl - is detached and having social and psychological problems. Even Martens' priest is disapproving shown by an emotion charged scene in church in which he withholds the Eucharist from Martens at communion while he gives a thinly veiled lecture to the congregation on the topic of trust and suspicion. All of Martens problems are enhanced when Engel is arrested and it is reported inaccurately in the press that he is responsible for the death of the girl.Engel is a highly intelligent and evil man and expresses desire to speak with Martens. Thus begins a battle of wills between good and evil. Engel professes not to have murdered the girl but claims to know the identity of the real murderer. It is clearly Engel's motive to destroy a very good man. During the ensuing confrontations and investigations, much is revealed about Martens and his will is severely challenged.Needless-to-say, the entire film is a religious allegory - after all, the two main characters are named Michael and Gabriel and they engage in an intense battle of wills.To disclose any more would certainly spoil the viewing enjoyment for anyone interested in this hypnotic film. If you are a fan of dark, chilling thrillers, I guarantee that, you too, will be glued to your seat while watching this extraordinary motion picture.