I must say that I found the story of Sebastian Fitzeks Der Heimweg, a psychological analysis of a trauma hotline, quite strange.
First of all, I loved the script and the progression of the story. The way the story was used to trigger the sense of curiosity was also very good, but the fact that the whole plot was predictable because of the mystery, which was almost never used, was annoying for the viewing pleasure.
I should mention that the hotline, which was opened especially for lonely women to go home safely late at night, is at the center of the film. You feel the presence of the monster that comes out of the character who guides the callers to enter their homes safely, but despite this, the language, friendliness and style he uses makes you avoid being prejudiced about what will happen in the following minutes...
...but this distancing unfortunately does not negate the prejudice.
As a viewer of the movie, I can't say that I had a hard time getting involved in the story while focusing on the results of the horror-filled phone calls. The past traumas and the dangers that the female character has been exposed to gradually builds the tension and presents a psychological labyrinth.
If the mystery, which I think is underutilized in the movie, had been used correctly and what happens next could have been hidden instead of being obvious, I think we would have gotten lost in the psychological maze and it would have been incredibly mind-numbing.
I think the movie definitely deserves a twist ending, but the story, which progresses in a straight line, ends in a straight line as it started. The hazy atmosphere and the element of fear created by the dialog on the phone are somewhat successful, but the momentum of the fear never reaches the desired level due to the predictability of the following scenes.
The moments of fear, helplessness and inner conflict created by the female character Jules were the most enjoyable parts of the movie. Her conversations with the male character, who directs her with his instructions, were the strongest part of the movie in terms of tension as they both destroy and recreate the menacing atmosphere.
The movie manages to be one of the best examples of the thriller genre with its dark and claustrophobic atmosphere. I must admit that the fact that almost all of the movie takes place in the darkness of the night contributed to me staying on my toes as someone who watches the movie at night. The tension is more palpable than it should be and the fear is quite effective.
The fact that the movie is adapted from the book might be its biggest disadvantage because we see the same handicap in similar psychological horror genres. For those who ask whether to read the book or watch the movie, I would recommend reading the book. This applies not only to this movie, but also to all productions of similar genres adapted from books.
I recommend you to watch Sebastian Fitzeks Der Heimweg, a movie that stands out with its psychological depth, acting performances and atmosphere. It is of a genre and simplicity that will please thriller lovers, but let me state once again that its biggest handicap is the mystery that is underutilized in the story.
Thank you for being here and reading, take care, goodbye and enjoy your movie watching!