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Poster for System Crasher

System Crasher

Seen it?

2019 | 118 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. 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. 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 58 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Wherever 9-year-old Benni ends up, she is expelled. She has become what child protection services call a “system crasher.” But she is not looking to change her ways, and has one goal: go back home to her mother. When anger management trainer Micha is hired to help, suddenly there is hope.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Jury Prize. Plus 7 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 28K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Nora Fingscheidt

  • Helena ZengelBenni
  • Albrecht SchuchMichael Heller
  • Gabriela Maria SchmeideFrau Bafané
  • Lisa HagmeisterMutter
  • Maryam ZareeElli Heller
  • Melanie StraubDr. Schönemann
  • Matthias BrennerErzieher Wolfgang
  • Teddy TeclebrhanErzieher Robert
  • Gisa FlakeLehrerin
  • Axel WernerBauer Bockelmann