
Tattoo
Seen it?2002 | 108 min | Thriller, Drama, Crime
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (66 on Metacritic), 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 crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Coffy, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- 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).
Marc Schrader, a rookie cop caught red-handed with drugs in a police raid of an illegal rave, joins a homicide investigation conducted by Chief Inspector Minks. The victim is a naked young woman with the skin stripped off her back, killed as she staggered into traffic. As Schrader and Minks investigate the murder, the case is complicated by a finger found in the stomach of the victim. Forensic examination proves the finger belongs to Nobert Günzel, who was previously convicted of rape and assault. The police raid Günzel’s residence, and discover a blood-stained table with restraints and bits of human flesh in his basement. They also find video equipment and preserved, tattooed skin from the victim’s back. Soon, they found dead bodies buried in the garden. Günzel then goes missing.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 5K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
Shot CallerSunday Safe BetAnother drug-world crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Ninja: Shadow of a TearSunday Safe BetAnother drug-world crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
CoffySaturday SpecialAnother drug-world crime drama that's easy to miss.
Rapid FireWeeknight WatchAnother drug-world crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Black RainSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Schwentke
- August DiehlMarc Schrader
- Christian RedlMinks
- Nadeshda BrennickeMaya Kroner
- Johan LeysenFrank Schoubya
- Ilknur BahadirMeltem
- Joe BauschGünzel
- Fatih CevikkolluDix
- Florian PanznerPoscher
- Jasmin SchwiersMarie Minks
- Gustav Peter WöhlerScheck