Monday Morning Maybe

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

Poster for Phoenix

Phoenix

Seen it?

2014 | 98 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. 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 The Zone of Interest or The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, 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 38 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the aftermath of WWII, German-Jewish cabaret singer Nelly has to undergo facial reconstructive surgery following her survival from Auschwitz. Without recognising Nelly, her former husband Johnny asks her to help him claim his wife’s inheritance. To see if he's betrayed her, she agrees, becoming her own doppelgänger.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $6 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 38K 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 Christian Petzold

  • Nina HossNelly Lenz
  • Ronald ZehrfeldJohnny Lenz
  • Nina KunzendorfLene Winter
  • Trystan PütterSoldat an Brücke
  • Michael MaertensArzt
  • Imogen KoggeElisabeth
  • Felix RömerGeiger
  • Uwe PreussClubbesitzer
  • Valerie KochTänzerin
  • Eva BayTänzerin