Staatsgevaarlijk (2005)
A Dutch thriller set in Rotterdam where a young woman fights to clear her boyfriend's name after a devastating explosion triggers a terrorism investigation.
Staatsgevaarlijk - Movie Information
Staatsgevaarlijk - Plot
Blonde Nicolette and Moroccan Mohammed have just moved into a small house in Rotterdam. While they are still unpacking their moving boxes, a huge explosion occurs in the ports of the world's second largest port city. Rotterdam makes world news, especially since the authorities assume that it could be a terrorist attack. That same evening, Nicolette and her boyfriend are taken from their bed by a heavily armed raid team. Thanks to her father, who is a lawyer, Nicolette is soon released. Mohammed, on the other hand, is being held under heavy security because he is suspected of involvement in the attack. His small IT company supplied the software that may have led to the explosions. For Nicolette, the search for her boyfriend and the truth begins. Was there really a terrorist attack in Rotterdam, or was it just an accident?
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Staatsgevaarlijk - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marcel Visbeen
Main Cast
- Sylvia Hoeks
- Pierre Bokma
- Romijn Conen
- Fockeline Ouwerkerk
- Hanin Msellek
- Dunya Khayame
- Sabri Saad El-Hamus
- Eva van der Gucht
- Mimi Ferrer
Writers
- Marcel Visbeen
- Hugo Heinen
Producers
- Marina Blok
- Sander van Meurs
Staatsgevaarlijk - FAQs
What is Staatsgevaarlijk about?
Staatsgevaarlijk follows Nicolette, a young Dutch woman whose Moroccan boyfriend Mohammed is arrested after a massive explosion rocks the port of Rotterdam. Suspected of terrorism, Mohammed is held under heavy security while Nicolette races to uncover the truth — was it a terrorist attack or simply a tragic accident?
Was Mohammed actually involved in the Rotterdam explosion?
That's the central mystery driving the film. Mohammed's IT company supplied software linked to the explosion, making him a prime suspect. The story peels back layers of assumption, prejudice, and political pressure as Nicolette digs deeper, raising serious questions about guilt, innocence, and how quickly authorities jump to conclusions.
Is Staatsgevaarlijk based on a true story?
Staatsgevaarlijk is a fictional story, though it draws on very real anxieties in the Netherlands and Europe in the early 2000s — particularly around terrorism fears, racial profiling, and the treatment of Muslim communities following the September 11 attacks and subsequent European security crises.
Who are the main actors in Staatsgevaarlijk?
The film stars Sylvia Hoeks as Nicolette and Hanin Msellek as Mohammed, with strong supporting performances from Pierre Bokma, Romijn Conen, Fockeline Ouwerkerk, Dunya Khayame, and Sabri Saad El-Hamus. Sylvia Hoeks would later gain international recognition in films like Blade Runner 2049.
What themes does Staatsgevaarlijk explore?
At its core, Staatsgevaarlijk tackles racial profiling, Islamophobia, and the erosion of civil liberties in the name of national security. Set against the backdrop of post-9/11 Europe, it asks how fear and suspicion can destroy innocent lives — and how love and determination can push back against an unjust system.
Who directed Staatsgevaarlijk?
Staatsgevaarlijk was directed by Marcel Visbeen, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Hugo Heinen. Visbeen brings a tense, grounded approach to the material, keeping the thriller gripping while never losing sight of the human and social stakes at the story's heart.
When was Staatsgevaarlijk released?
Staatsgevaarlijk premiered in the Netherlands on January 30, 2005. The film arrived at a particularly charged moment in Dutch society, just months after the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, making its themes of terrorism, identity, and civil liberties feel especially urgent and timely.
What are some movies similar to Staatsgevaarlijk?
If Staatsgevaarlijk resonated with you, consider exploring Rogue Agent (2022), The Good Neighbor (2022), or Compulsion (2024) — all thrillers that blend personal drama with broader questions of trust, identity, and moral ambiguity. The Truth About Emanuel (2013) and Attraction (2001) also offer similarly layered, character-driven tension.
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