The Free Will

The Free Will

Directed by Matthias Glasner

Produced by Colonia Media, ARD

2006163 min7.0 / 10

A dark psychological study of a violent offender's reintegration into society, exploring whether redemption is possible or merely a fragile facade masking irredeemable rage.

After nine years in psychiatric detention Theo, who has brutally assaulted and raped three women, is released. Living in a supervised community, he connects well with his social worker Sascha, finds a job at a print shop and even a girlfriend, Nettie, his principal's brittle and estranged daughter. But even though superficially everything seems to work out Theo's seething rage remains ready to erupt.

Questions people ask

  • Is The Free Will sad? Yes. More sad than 88% of films.

  • Is The Free Will easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 86% of films.

  • Is The Free Will scary? Yes. More frightening than 82% of films.

  • Does The Free Will end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 80% of films.

  • Is The Free Will violent? Somewhat. More violent than 68% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

67/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Distinctly its own thing.

Rarity48

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise85

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love70

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Free Will

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Free Will

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Free Will, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Free Will, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Free Will, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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