Antibodies, is a serial killer movie that starts where many typically end, in the showdown between killer and the pursuing police. Two officers have been called to the apartment of Gabriel Engel (André Henniker - SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Mohnke from Downfall ) by a neighbour reporting screams from upstairs. They arrive as Engel roams his apartment naked, medically draining the blood of his latest victim to use as paint in a series of crucifix paintings. As the police knock at his door, the still naked Engle reaches for the shotgun and blows a hole straight through the door and one of the officers waiting on the other side.

Obviously the swat team are called in and a shootout ensues, resulting in Engle diving from his apartment, straight through what’s left of the front door, somersaulting over police down a stairwell and throwing himself through a closed window at the end of the corridor. The resulting fall breaks his legs and he crawls, covered in glass and blood straight into the path of waiting police, mocking them with cries of “I’m innocent!” It becomes apparent that Engle is a paedophilic serial killer, wanted for the murders of several children.

Into the fray steps Officer Michael Martens (Wotan Wilke Möhring), a small town policeman who has been hunting the killer of a local girl, for which Engel has now been made accountable., but is he responsible for the crime? Brought in to interrogate the now wheelchair bound and prison cell dwelling Engel, Martens is a man out of his depth in a battle of wills with a manipulative psychopath. A psychological battle of “good” against “evil” that leaves Martens questioning himself and his Christian morality as Engle plays mind games that tie him in knots, leading him astray from his God fearing lifestyle and potential devastation.

Antibodies has a lot going for it; it’s well acted, well written , beautifully shot and strangely, although visually starting out quite dark and brooding, as the subject matter becomes darker in tone, the over all look of the film itself becomes brighter and more vibrant.

Unfortunately, although far from being a bad film, Antibodies isn’t really my kind of film. I found it quite gripping to a point and the performances pulled me in, but at a little over 2 hours in length I thought it maybe ran a little out of steam. It possibly could have benefited from an earlier, more downbeat ending than the one which the director opted for. All this being said, this is of course a matter of personal taste and as a debut film I have seen far, far worse. It will certainly be interesting to see where director Christian Alvart goes from here.

Although not really my thing, I would definitely recommend Antibodies to fans of similar serial killer material such as Manhunter, Silence of the Lambs, Se7en or maybe other earlier German movies such as Mute Witness, Anatomy or Tattoo. It certainly holds its own against any of these films and in all honesty is a better film than many in the now rather well worn serial killer genre.

Once again Tartan Video have released a great quality disc displaying the film to its fullest potential with a sharp anormorphic1.85:1 presentation, DTS digital 5.1 surround, Dolby digital 5.1 surround or Dolby 2.0 stereo sound options, in original German language with removable English subtitles.

Special features include:

Director Interview
Cast & Crew Interviews
Making Of
Alan Jones Film Notes
Original Theatrical Trailer
DTS Digital Surround 5.1
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo

Copies can be bought directly from Tartan here or in the US from Diabolik DVD.