Perfume (2018)
A chilling German crime thriller that unravels obsession, memory, and murder through the haunting lens of scent.
Perfume - Series Information
- Original Title: Parfum
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Eva Kranenburg, Oliver Berben, Philipp Kadelbach
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- First Air Date: November 14, 2018 (United States - TV-MA), November 14, 2018 (Canada - 18+), November 14, 2018 (United Kingdom - 18), November 14, 2018 (Germany - 16), November 14, 2018 (France - 16), November 14, 2018 (India - A), November 14, 2018 (New Zealand - 16), November 14, 2018 (Australia - MA 15+), November 14, 2018 (Brazil - 18), November 14, 2018 (Italy - VM18), November 14, 2018 (Spain - 16), November 14, 2018 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: ZDFneo
- Alternative Titles: Парфюмер (RU), Το Άρωμα (GR), Die Geschichte eines Parfums (DE), El perfume (CO), Le Parfum (FR)
- Production Companies: Constantin Film, Moovie
- Production Countries: Germany
Perfume - Plot
When a singer is found murdered, with her scent glands excised from her body, detectives probe a group of friends who attended boarding school with her.
Perfume - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this atmospheric German crime thriller.
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Perfume - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Eva Kranenburg
- Oliver Berben
- Philipp Kadelbach
Main Cast
- Friederike Becht
- Wotan Wilke Möhring
- Juergen Maurer
- Ken Duken
- Natalia Belitski
- August Diehl
- Trystan Pütter
- Christian Friedel
- Franziska Brandmeier
- Marc Hosemann
Executive Producers
- Oliver Berben
- Christine Rothe
- Lutz Weidlich
Perfume - FAQs
Is Perfume based on a true story?
Perfume is not based on a true story, but it draws heavily from Patrick Süskind's celebrated 1985 novel Das Parfum. The series reimagines the book's obsessive themes of scent and murder in a contemporary German setting, transforming the original 18th-century narrative into a modern psychological crime thriller.
Why are the victims' scent glands removed in Perfume?
The removal of scent glands is central to the killer's obsession with recreating the perfect human fragrance — a direct echo of Süskind's novel. The series uses this disturbing detail to explore how desire, memory, and identity are bound up in smell, driving the investigation into increasingly dark psychological territory.
Where can you stream Perfume (2018)?
Streaming availability for Perfume varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most current options in your country, as the series has appeared on various platforms since its 2018 debut on Germany's ZDFneo. Regional licensing means availability can differ significantly depending on where you are located.
Who are the main actors in Perfume?
The series stars Friederike Becht as criminal profiler Nadja Simon and Wotan Wilke Möhring as prosecutor Grünberg. The ensemble cast also includes August Diehl, Ken Duken, Natalia Belitski, Juergen Maurer, Trystan Pütter, Christian Friedel, Franziska Brandmeier, and Marc Hosemann.
How was Perfume received by critics?
Perfume earned largely positive notices for its atmospheric cinematography, strong ensemble performances, and bold willingness to explore taboo themes. Critics praised its moody visual style and the way it adapted Süskind's source material, though some found its pacing deliberately slow and its narrative deliberately unsettling.
How many episodes does Perfume have?
Perfume consists of six episodes across its single season, which aired on ZDFneo in November 2018. The compact format allows the story to build tension methodically, unraveling the mystery of the murdered singer and the dark shared history of the boarding school group at a deliberate, immersive pace.
What are some shows similar to Perfume?
If Perfume's dark psychological crime atmosphere appeals to you, try The Sinner for its deep-dive character studies, or A Good Girl's Guide to Murder for a compelling whodunit. Vigil and Five Days offer similarly taut, character-driven investigations, while Full Circle delivers intricate, layered crime storytelling.
Who created the Perfume TV series?
The series was created by Eva Kranenburg, Oliver Berben, and Philipp Kadelbach. Berben and Kadelbach also served as executive producers alongside Christine Rothe and Lutz Weidlich, with production handled by Constantin Film and Moovie for the German public broadcaster ZDFneo.
More About Perfume
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