Risks + Side Effects (2021)
An Austrian comedy that turns a medical crisis into a sharp, funny, and deeply human examination of love, loyalty, and the limits of commitment.
Risks + Side Effects - Movie Information
- Original Title: Risiken & Nebenwirkungen
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Michael Kreihsl
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 9, 2021 (Austria), June 9, 2022 (Germany - 6)
- Alternative Titles: Risiken und Nebenwirkungen (AT), Side Effects & Risks (US)
- Production Companies: Epo-Film
- Production Countries: Austria
Risks + Side Effects - Plot
A routine check-up reveals that the Pilates trainer Kathrin is suffering from kidney disease and needs a transplant. Her husband Arnold is a successful architect in the middle of a large project and is afraid of donating one of his kidneys. Götz, a friend of the couple's, would undergo the operation immediately if it means saving Kathrin's life - even though this causes problems with his partner Diana. Confronted by issues of life and death, the fragility of the relationships within and between the couples is laid bare. Eventually, the question can no longer be avoided: what is true love?
Risks + Side Effects - Trailer
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Risks + Side Effects - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Kreihsl
Main Cast
- Samuel Finzi
- Inka Friedrich
- Thomas Mraz
- Pia Hierzegger
- Michaela Kis
- Tijan Marei
- Thomas Schubert
- August Zirner
- Hary Prinz
- Susanna Wiegand
Writers
- Michael Kreihsl
Risks + Side Effects - FAQs
What is Risks + Side Effects about?
Risks + Side Effects follows Kathrin, a Pilates trainer diagnosed with kidney disease who urgently needs a transplant. Her architect husband Arnold hesitates to donate, while their friend Götz volunteers immediately — even at the cost of his own relationship. The film uses this crisis to probe what true love really means.
Is Risks + Side Effects based on a play?
Yes, Risks + Side Effects is adapted from a stage play. Director Michael Kreihsl, who also wrote the screenplay, brings the story from the theater to the screen, preserving its sharp dialogue and intimate focus on two couples navigating a life-altering medical crisis.
Who are the main actors in Risks + Side Effects?
The film features Samuel Finzi and Inka Friedrich as the central couple Arnold and Kathrin, with Thomas Mraz and Pia Hierzegger as their friends Götz and Diana. The ensemble also includes August Zirner, Hary Prinz, Tijan Marei, and Michaela Kis.
Why does Arnold refuse to donate his kidney?
Arnold is a successful architect in the middle of a major project, and fear — both of surgery and of disrupting his career — holds him back. His hesitation becomes the emotional engine of the film, raising uncomfortable questions about self-preservation versus love and what we owe the people closest to us.
What happens between Götz and Diana in the film?
Götz's willingness to donate his kidney to Kathrin — a friend, not his partner — creates serious tension with Diana. His selfless gesture forces Diana to question her own feelings and the nature of their relationship, adding a second layer of emotional complexity alongside Arnold and Kathrin's story.
Who directed Risks + Side Effects?
Michael Kreihsl directed the film and also wrote the screenplay. An Austrian filmmaker, Kreihsl brings a theatrical sensibility to the story, keeping the focus tightly on character dynamics and sharp, witty dialogue rather than cinematic spectacle.
When and where was Risks + Side Effects released?
The film premiered in Austria on July 9, 2021, followed by a German release on June 9, 2022. It is an Austrian production by Epo-Film, shot in German, and reflects the sensibility of contemporary Austrian comedy-drama.
What are some movies similar to Risks + Side Effects?
If you enjoy Risks + Side Effects, you might also like Return to Me (2000), which blends romance with organ donation themes, or Cold Feet (2018) for its sharp look at long-term relationships under pressure. Wicked Little Letters (2024) offers another witty European comedy with strong ensemble performances.
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