'Berlin Syndrome' review: Feels like a “lite” version of Lenny Abrahamson’s 'Room' (2015)

6.1/10

Cate Shortland, the director of the widely admired 'Somersault', has made an efficient but unrewarding and ultimately pointless psycho-thriller 'Berlin Syndrome', adapted by Shaun Grant from the 2011 debut novel by Australian author Melanie Joosten. It is set in Berlin, a capital for backpackers and international hipsters. Clare (Teresa Palmer, 'Lights Out') is a tourist from Brisbane, wandering around the city, exploring the sites, photographing the East German architecture that fascinates her, but feeling a little aimless.

She runs into Andi (Max Riemelt, 'Sense8'), a charming, interesting German guy who chats her up in the street. They go back to his place; the next morning he goes off to work, leaving her to sleep. Clare’s loved-up mood is dispelled, however, when she wakes up and realises he has locked her in his apartment and taken her sim card, panic starts to set in. Berlin Syndrome feels like a “lite” version of Lenny Abrahamson’s phenomenal take on 'Room' (2015), but diluted and given a more bestseller, 'Girl on the Train' flavour.

There are the regulation number of heartstopping near-escapes and creepy normal-life interludes for the captor that gesture at a psychological explanation, but the story is only heading one way. Clare has what in horror terms is automatic Final Girl status from the beginning. Slick, but overall disappointing.