Troubled Times
Troubled Times

Movie spotlight

Troubled Times

2019
Movie
85 min
German

The local theater in Armstadt has to take a step back; the budget gets cut due to less audience. However, the actors try their best to prepare for a new piece.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users72%
Director: Anna MüllerGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A successful architect's life unravels when a past indiscretion comes back to haunt her, forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths about her family and her own morality. As secrets surface, she finds herself in a dangerous game of deception where the lines between victim and perpetrator blur. The film explores the psychological toll of guilt and the desperate measures one might take to protect their carefully constructed reality.

Critical Reception

Troubled Times received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its atmospheric tension and strong central performance, though some found the plot predictable. Audiences were generally divided, appreciating the psychological depth but occasionally criticizing the pacing.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense atmosphere and Lena Schmidt's compelling performance.

  • Criticized by some for a conventional narrative arc and occasional slow-burn moments.

  • Explores dark themes effectively, though not always with originality.

Google audience: Google users appreciated the film's suspenseful build-up and the lead actress's portrayal of a character under immense pressure. Some viewers felt the resolution was somewhat anticlimactic, while others found the moral ambiguity engaging.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Actress at the German Film Awards for Lena Schmidt.

Fun Fact

The isolated country house used as the protagonist's home was an actual historical building that had been abandoned for over a decade before being renovated for the film.

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