Search - Antibodies (Two-Disc Special Edition) on DVD

Ann M.
Reviewed on 1/28/2014...

Other reviews gave good synopsis', so I won't repeat it. I began the movie expecting it to be shallow and gory, with very little story, but I found the opposite. Martens, the small town constable, was a simple man but with many layers that developed throughout the story. His relationship with his wife is strained, but not in a way that isn't relatable. Relationshipw with his son is distant, and you sense right-off, before he even met the serial killer & gotten wrapped up in his mind-games, that much needed to be resolved. His father-in-law is a loathesome character who is both cruel and emascuating, & yet he endures it with grace. His relationship with God was tested severely throughout the movie. I loved the Catholic themes, and the parallels between his own life and that of Abraham. Some people didn't like the ending, but I did. For once, I enjoyed that the Biblical theme and parallel was complete -nuff said!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Vanessa V. (sevenspiders)
Reviewed on 3/29/2010...

It comes from the same mordant tradition as the best serial killer films but Antibodies is far more than a German Silence of the Lambs. The cat-and-mouse mind games take place between an earnest, righteous small town cop and a sadistic killer who's sicker, realer and therefore so much scarier than Hannibal Lector.

Pedophile killer Gabriel Engle has been caught, but that's just the beginning. In his wake of sadism Engle left a quiet German suburb in turmoil with a dead young girl. Everyone, including police chief Martens, would be happy to let the monstrous Engles take the wrap for this murder as well, but Martens knows for innocence to be protected the truth must come out at any cost.

Certainly Engle knows something about the case, and Martens sets off to interview the killer in hopes of learning the truth. As he scrapes futiley away at the mystery, something dark begins to leach into him from the city, his disturbing encounters with Engle and the doubt that grows more ominous everyday. Martens learns truths about human nature in general and his own nature in particular push him to the edge of reason and righteousness. Rife with Catholic imagery and Biblical symbolism Antibodies still feels modern, seamlessly reconciling the fresh and the archetypical. And the truly, truly creepy.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Bonnie C. from KATY, TX
Reviewed on 1/20/2010...

Wow! Be prepared to be blown away by this movie. I especially loved the cat and mouse game played by the cop and the killer. Most people feel a little let down by the ending (and I'll admit - it IS a hard pill to swallow and very heavy handed), I didn't mind it. Although it is billed (rightfully so) as a brutal, horrific thriller - the movie's most redeeming feature is its brilliant character study of how even a good, honest man can start to have doubts about himself and his family once a seed of evil is planted there. The cast is amazing, especially the lead Wotan Wilke Mohring and Hauke Diekamp, who plays his teenage son. They are both stars in the making. If you are easily offended by graphic, frank talk and depictions of sex and violence - then this may not be for you. But hang in there- the payoff is worthwhile. This is an unusual movie, but well worth your time. I really enjoyed it and now have a copy for my collection.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Excellent, But Not For Everybody

W. Scott Heitman | Gainesville, Fl United States | 09/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First things first- don't read the amazon description above; it absolutely spoils everything up to the final 10 minutes of the movie. If you like suspense at all, resist the urge to look up.



On to the film- I've seen some films with narrow audiences, but this takes the cake. The film has the most to offer to somebody who values the Old Testament (specifically Christians and Jews) due to the number of OT references along with a couple of NT refs. Thematically, the film explores some of the more troubling concepts in Christianity, especially.



What, you say? There are plenty of Christians and Jews. Well, all of the philosophy and theology is heavily wrapped up in one of the most graphic serial killer films to come around in some time. Not only are there some graphic images (grisly stuff as well as a pretty graphic sex scene), the language invites even worse images than appear on screen.



So for the Christian or Jew that can get past the above, this is an extremely interesting film. Come for a psychological thriller with superlative acting and cinematography, stay for the way the director plays with Biblical concepts and forces you to think.



Finally, I'll say 1 more thing for those who are still on the fence. The film begins with a quote from Dostoevsky. In retrospect, the choice is incredibly apt; I feel that Dostoevsky could have written this had he lived now. If the names Ivan and Raskolnikov bring forth positive memories, then you're in for a treat."

DISTURBING PSYCHO-THRILLER.....

Mark Norvell | HOUSTON | 08/31/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This taut German made thriller starts out with a heart-pounding bang then kind've settles down into a war of mind games between an urban serial killer of children and a very disturbed rural cop. Not as gory as the beginning, "Antibodies" is still graphic and disturbing due to the dialogue and descriptions of the crimes and just enough visuals to clue you in that the killings were horrendous. There's also some fairly graphic sex and nudity. The killer really does a psychological number on the cop by apparently convincing him that evil is contagious and leading him into psychological traps that have frustrating and sometimes violent resolutions. The cop lives on a farm and has an unhappy marriage and two kids, one of whom is a 13 year old boy showing signs of "evil starting small". Or is he just a troubled soul like his dad? The acting is first rate and the photography is beautiful juxtaposing simple country life with big city coldness. Lags in places but overall engrossing and not for the squeamish. There are some scenes that I found too unpleasant involving animals so animal lovers beware. But for lovers of graphic psycho crime thrillers, "Antibodies" is an intriguing story to experience. Disc two is a "making of..." feature and other related extras. The print is excellent. Not a bad package for the price. Dark Sky has done a good job here."

If there is no God, everything is allowed

C. Christopher Blackshere | I am the devil's reject | 09/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is broooootal super sick stuff! Harsh, relentless, disturbing. One of the most startling psychological horror flicks in recent years. Called Germany's Silence of the Lambs.



Berlin police arrest a deranged psychopath suspected of molesting and killing 13 children. This sadistic freak's name is Gabriel, and he refuses to speak to anyone except Michael Martens, an honorable officer from a small town. As his reasons for this becomes evident, your comfort level will get severely rattled. The prisoner knows some unsettling secrets about Michael's son, and the truth will envoke rage and fear from all that are exposed.



Antibodies is superbly directed and acted. It deals with some harsh topics that obviously won't appeal to many viewers. But in reality, evil knows no boundaries. More gruesome, twisted, and real than many care to endure.





Evil is a virus. It's highly contagious, and you're already infected...







"