Feb. 21, 2019|Germany, France|110 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Crime;Drama;Horror;Thriller;Violence(Slasher)
Description: The Golden Glove, released in 2019, is a German film directed by Fatih Akin, who hails from the same working-class neighborhood in Hamburg where the story is set. The film recounts the gruesome true story of Fritz Honka, a serial killer who murdered at least four women between 1971 and 1974. Akin describes the movie as an exploration of both “humanity” and “nothingness,” ultimately portraying humans as decaying flesh—rotting meat infested with maggots, hidden in the dark corners of a dilapidated apartment building.
The film opens with a disturbing scene of a woman’s lifeless body lying on a bloodstained bed, her leg covered in a drooping stocking. A man enters, drags her to the floor, and proceeds to dismember her with a saw. While the act itself is not shown directly, the sound effects are horrifying. This scene sets the tone for the film, which becomes increasingly graphic as Honka’s mental state deteriorates.
Over the course of four years, Honka descends further into madness, engaging in heavy drinking, violent sexual assaults, and brutal murders. The violence shifts from the periphery to the heart of the narrative, both visually and psychologically. The film’s portrayal of despair and depravity is deeply unsettling, making it a challenging watch, particularly for survivors of sexual assault.
The Golden Glove is a stark, unflinching examination of human darkness, leaving a lasting, disturbing impression on its audience.
Cast director: Fatih Akin
Cast actor: Jonas Dassler, Margarethe Tiesel, Katja Studt, Martina Eitner-Acheampong, Tristan Göbel, Greta Sophie Schmidt, Marc Hosemann, Max Hopp, Hark Bohm, Uwe Rohde
Original name: Der goldene Handschuh