Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Stroszek

Stroszek

Seen it?

1977 | 108 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Thelma & Louise or 25th Hour, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1977: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Bruno Stroszek is released from prison and warned to stop drinking. He has few skills and fewer expectations: with a glockenspiel and an accordion, he ekes out a living as a street musician. He befriends Eva, a prostitute down on her luck and they join his neighbor, Scheitz, an elderly eccentric, when he leaves Germany to live in Wisconsin.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 97K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Werner Herzog

  • Bruno S.Bruno Stroszek
  • Eva MattesEva
  • Clemens ScheitzScheitz
  • Wilhelm von HomburgSouteneur
  • Burkhard DriestPimp #2
  • Clayton SzalpinskiMechanic
  • Ely RodriguezMechanic's Assistant
  • Alfred EdelPrison Warden
  • Scott McKainBank Teller
  • Pitt BedewitzPimp #3