Erlkönig (2007)
A taut German crime thriller in which an insurance investigator's routine inquiry spirals into genuine peril.
Erlkönig - Movie Information
Erlkönig - Plot
A woman dies in the morning in a mysterious accident on an empty highway. Her son survives seriously injured. Since the mother had taken out a large life insurance policy shortly beforehand, suicide is suspected. Insurance employee Marlies Heidorn investigates the matter. She soon comes dangerously close to another vehicle owner...
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Erlkönig - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Urs Egger
Main Cast
- Silke Bodenbender
- Felix Eitner
- Henry Hübchen
- Dirk Borchardt
- Axel Milberg
- Ruth Reinecke
- Michael Brandner
- Steffen Groth
- Michael Sideris
- Hans-Jörg Assmann
Erlkönig - FAQs
What is Erlkönig about?
Erlkönig follows Marlies Heidorn, an insurance investigator drawn into a murky case after a woman dies in a suspicious early-morning highway accident. With a large life insurance policy recently taken out, suicide is suspected — but as Marlies digs deeper, she finds herself in genuine danger.
Is Erlkönig based on a true story?
Erlkönig is not based on a specific true story. It's an original German crime drama produced for ZDF television. The title echoes the famous Goethe poem about a sinister supernatural pursuer, lending the film a sense of creeping dread that mirrors its thriller premise.
What does the title Erlkönig mean?
Erlkönig — literally "Erlking" or "Alder King" — comes from a famous Goethe ballad about a malevolent spirit that pursues and claims victims on a night journey. The title casts a dark, folkloric shadow over the film's highway thriller premise, suggesting an unseen force closing in on its characters.
Who are the main actors in Erlkönig?
The cast is led by Silke Bodenbender as insurance investigator Marlies Heidorn, alongside Felix Eitner, Henry Hübchen, Axel Milberg, and Dirk Borchardt. Ruth Reinecke, Michael Brandner, Steffen Groth, Michael Sideris, and Hans-Jörg Assmann round out the ensemble.
Who directed Erlkönig?
Erlkönig was directed by Urs Egger, a Swiss-born filmmaker known for his work in German-language television drama. Egger brings a taut, atmospheric sensibility to this crime thriller, keeping the tension simmering as the investigation spirals into something far more dangerous.
What genre is Erlkönig?
Erlkönig blends crime and drama. It's a suspenseful investigative thriller wrapped in an emotionally charged story about grief, deception, and personal risk. The film leans into procedural tension while exploring the human cost of uncovering uncomfortable truths.
When and where was Erlkönig released?
Erlkönig premiered on November 19, 2007, in Germany, where it aired as a ZDF television production. It's a German-language film produced entirely in Germany, reflecting the country's strong tradition of quality crime drama for public broadcasting.
What are some films similar to Erlkönig?
If Erlkönig's mix of grief and suspense appeals to you, try Premonition (2007), The Glass House (2001), or Radius (2017) for similarly unsettling thriller territory. Demolition (2016) and The Greatest (2009) also explore loss and its unexpected consequences in compelling ways.
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