Even though I live in Germany, it's been years since I have watched a German movie. The local cinema and made-for-TV movie market is saturated by cheaply produced romcoms and documentary-style WW2-movies. 'Who Am I' caught my attention with its very different theme. And it turned out being a very enjoyable watch. The first interrogation theme felt a bit overacted and over-directed to me and made me worry if they would try to hard to be "cool and different", but luckily the movie quickly found a good pace and well-balanced direction. It moves at a fast pace, with quite some jumps forth and back in time, but the director keeps it well structured, so that the audience doesn't get lost in the twists and turns. The visual effects are very well done, I especially liked the visuals of the 'dark net', depicting the online interaction between hackers as scenes in an underground train. There are some minor plot holes, and I found myself able to guess some things which would happen next, but the end of the movie will manage to surprise most viewers (now, how often can you say that any more?), and the fast pace and compelling characters (throughout well acted) will keep you hooked. This isn't a groundbreaking movie, but I see good potential for it to draw the attention of an international audience, which hopefully will lead to some more German movies in he near future who also dare to address unusual themes.
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maximenigma28 October 2014
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Seth_Rogue_One4 December 2015I haven't seen a big amount of them (probably to due because not many of them are made) but the ones I have seen have, even if they were somewhat entertaining they always seem to fail on the technology-aspect to the point that you wonder if the scriptwriters even have used a computer at some times.
Here it's pretty clear that the script-writer has a lot of knowledge of how hacking works and computers in general, even though I'm sure that some who know the field still have a lot to complain about but for the average Joe in the technical aspects of computer technology most things makes sense.
As far as the whole story goes, I mean sure it's not as realistic as it would be if someone would document the life of a hacker surely and it's more of a thriller than a drama but it's not all that far-fetched that you roll your eyes or anything and it entertains most certainly.
Acting is stellar as well.
So yeah even if you are getting second thoughts when you find out that it's a German movie, it's definitely worth going through the 'tough task' of reading subtitles I assure you and no I haven't seen an English speaking hacker-movie that tops this one so yes definitely recommended. -
PaxtonMalloy28 September 2014I am German but usually I don't like most of the German movies. To slow, to toned down no emphasis on score, lack of creativity. And then I saw the trailer for Who am I. I went to the movie theater fixed to hate it. But I didn't. Because aside from the movie taking place in Germany and having German actors it comes across like a Hollywood movie.
First the cast. Tom Schilling delivers a really good performance as the outsider, shy, invisible for everybody. - Elyas M'Barek, well he does what he can, he is being the cool guy with some cool lines but thats about it. - Wotan Wilke Möhring is always great no exception this time. Bulked up, tattooed all over, very funny even though he has not that many lines. - Antoine Monot Jr. also very funny. - Trine Dyrholm very believable in her role, achieving very much with very little - Hannah Herzsprung sadly is terrible in this movie. She just doesn't fit in that role
Why is that movie good? Welll it has all the components. 1)A good script not outstanding but good. 2)Some good actors 3)a very cool soundtrack. You have this recurring theme you also hear in the trailer. And another theme that to be honest is very very similar to one from the dark knight. Still good. :-) And its not often that you remember a score of German movie. 4)Visuel effects and camera - camera: some really nice pans, tilts etc. 5) visual effects: benjamin takes ritalin and that is kind of like the movie is constructed. you have this wild parties, with slow motions and the electronic music underlining the whole "never-sleep-always-in-action" theme. Especially the "chatrooms" shown as a subway wagon where the hackers come together, great visual
I heard someone who didn't like the movie saying that after the movie there is nothing you think about for maybe one or two day. Well thats something you shouldn't expect from this movie. This is not a movie saying people watch what you do surfing through the net. Its not like enemy of the state. Its about hackers. And not even that. Its an action thriller and sometimes a drama. About a boy trying to make in impact in the world trying to get recognized. Its a popcorn movie. And of course there a better ones but if you look at the German movie market you won't find a better one. Finally we can be cool. :-) -
It is not very often that a German movie tries to do something else than Til Schweiger / Schweighöfer standard comedy. Who am I is one of those very rare films from Germany which deals with a serious subject, has a serious tone and plot and can compete with international movies in the same budget range.
This movie - regarding the mediocre budget - surprisingly can compete with international films. The plot is constantly exciting, the actors are very good, especially Tom Schilling in the lead role. And the ending is something I have never seen in a German film before. A real mindfvck and very clever.
The film is unique in its way to show the Darknet (no spoilers) in a very understandable way. The chosen imagery to show what is going on behind the screen is innovative and is visualized in a way, even people without knowledge of the subject can easily understand and follow the plot.
Who am I definitely is one of the best German thrillers I've ever seen and easily one of the best German films in this century so far. It is good to see young and talented German directors get the chance to finally make movies which do not need to hide behind Swedish or french films. This movie thankfully does not feel "typisch Deutsch" but much more mature and with a better production design than the "typical" German movie feels.
Yes, this movie is not very original and has some minor flaws. However, as the first serious German film outside the boring history drama genre in years (the last one was HELL if I remember correctly), I can ignore them. I really hope this film is a door opener for more well-produced German films in the future which might even become international hits. Something, the Swedish and french cinema already achieved.
9 / 10 -
johnbettiol19 October 2014My German is somewhat average, and yet, I try to watch a German film now and again so that my wife gets a chance to see something in her native tongue (and I get to have a bit of practice).
I have to say that this film was an enjoyable watch.
I felt that the film has a far better interpretation of technical topics than both Sneakers and Hackers.
The thing I liked most about this film was that the choice of actors was complementary to the script and everything seemed to gel together to make a believable experience.
Great acting and storyline, enjoyable until the very end!
Watch it!
PS: For a geek-in-the-know, there are always cringe-worthy moments, but this film kept it to a minimum! -
kosmasp8 April 2015It's not often that you get a genre movie in Germany. And even less times the result is any good. Fortunately they did get it this time. The lead actor has not the strength to pull it off completely (if you have watched a lot of thrillers, you know where this is heading and it makes no sense at all, even with explanations). But overall the acting is more than fine by the whole cast.
Making a thriller out of hacking is not an easy task. But visually the movie did find a way to give us an in to chat rooms (hidden and otherwise), with a very clever trick. It wouldn't be the same just seeing people type things on a keyboard. There are other things that work out nicely too. I was pleasantly surprised, even if I felt that the movie tried to be a bit too clever for its own good at the end. Give us more of that please -
twentyhonor13 October 2014German movies are not often comparable to the international standard, but in the last 2 years the trend goes bottom-up.
The movie gains us an insight into the life of young hackers and their ambitions. Thy visualization of the meetings in the web with other hackers are very good pictured.
The plot of who Am I is very complex. At the beginning it doesn't look so deep, but while it comes to conclusion the movie shows us his high-class.
The actors with a authentic Tom Schilling and the affected Elyas M'Barek are also properly elected. The characters are very different, what creates varied dialogs. All in all Who am i is a must-see for all Germans and a very good movie for international thriller fans. -
Horst_In_Translation27 October 2014"Who Am I - Kein System ist sicher" is the newest film by Swiss writer/director Baran bo Odar. It is his 3rd movie and there is a 4-year-gap between this and his last one just like between his second and first film. The cast includes some of Germany's most notable actors these days. The lead character is played well by Tom Schilling. Elyas M'Barek plays pretty much the same character that he always does, namely a chaotic cool guy admired by women. Möhring's character is similar, only his role is smaller and finally Antoine Monot Jr. also has not too much meat to his role, but does a lot with what he is given. One of the two central female characters is Hannah Herzsprung, who (as the love interest to the main character) is actually better than usual in that cheesy romcoms or dramas she is in. Can't say I'd be particularly interested in her physically, which always makes it difficult to really dig a love interest character. She also poses one of the biggest plot holes here in terms of the script. We see her fooling around with M'Barek's character at some point and at the end we are supposed to believe that all is good when she is on the ship with the guys and probably only wants Schilling's character? Another plothole involves the character of Tryne Dyrholm, who gives a decent performance as a mixture of friend/antagonist (just like M'Barek's character) as well. Everything that happens near the end is based on the assumption that she would just let him go, which by no means could have been predicted was a safe bet. Generally, the film suffered a bit near the end from trying to be a bit too smart for its own good. It could very well have done with one plot twist less. Then there is the usual problems with thrillers. Why do investigators always have to run upfront with no safety at all with the well-protected police forces following behind? Because they are one of the central characters of the movie? Not good enough.
One of the highlights were probably the online world sequences which were depicted very smartly and helped the audience understand the subject a bit better even if they knew nothing about hacking. All in all, it is a decent movie with some weaknesses like mentioned before or the randomly thrown-in superhero references, but all in all worth a watch if you are interested in German cinema. If you enjoyed, you could also take a look at Hans-Christian Schmid's 1998 similarly-themed film "23" starring a very young August Diehl. -
Bored_Dragon6 April 2019"Who Am I" is a German cyber-crime mindfak thriller whose story I can not go into too much because of the risk of spoilers. The film is technically competent, the acting is good, the tempo and music will drive you and keep your attention without a problem. The story itself seems to be a classic seven, but multiple plot-twists at the very end have thrilled me. Through film permeate almost unnoticeable homages to a cult 'Fight Club', that will, if you notice them, lead you to assume the outcome of this story. You will guess wrong. Only before the very end I finally understood some seemingly insignificant details and solved the puzzle... again wrong. Now, after the second viewing, I'm not so enthusiastic as I was the first time, which is expected for mindfak based on the unexpected twists and turns, but far from that I was bored and I enjoyed it from start to finish. The most sincere recommendation.
8/10 -
Dev19997 March 2016I am German. So I know Germany doesn't really make a whole lot of good or just even watchable films. Well but this sure is a watchable movie.
I have seen the movie back in 2014 when it came to the cinemas here and I was blown away by it. I've never really seen such a great film made by a German movie studio. And it's not only good for a German movie. It's good overall.
Hacker movies often are boring and not well made. Here that is not the case. Hacking is showed how it is really done and it makes sense and does not look silly. The action is well done and everything is well acted. The cast is interesting and all characters are different from each other. That makes for an amazing ride that you can't take your eyes off.
The end of this movie is really Christopher Nolan like and you don't know what the HACK you've just seen. I love it so much.
You can go see this movie more than just once, you can easily see if like five or six times in my opinion. So have fun and give this a chance. -
Welcome to the cyber crime reality. Even for a guy likes me that doesn't get anything about hacking it's interesting to watch and not too difficult to understand. No system is safe is the truth, everything is hackable. Even if we think everything is secured you just need a couple of computer nerds to bring the whole system down. I would not call this movie a thriller, just a cyber crime movie. The actors did a good job and the filming was pleasant to watch as well. The end was a bit confusing and far fetched and was not really necessary to me but all in all it's an entertaining movie to watch. Not that I will watch it again. That's only reserved for the excellent movies.
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abisio26 April 2015Understanding hackers work requires high technical expertise; and their reasons are rarely clear. It could be economic profit, idealistic rebellion against society, egomaniac superiority or plain sadism. In any case; it is not easy to it is difficult to portrait real hackers in movies. BLACKHAT is recent failure but this German thriller really gets the point a offer an interesting enigma sometimes quite unpredictable and never boring. It is better to know little about what happens in order to enjoy the full mystery. Let's say that the movie starts with Benjamin, being debriefed by an EuroPol agent about his and other groups hacking activities. The high point of the movie is showing how difficult is to hack and where are the weakest points in every kind of security.
As interesting as the movie becomes; it is important to note that it is not a Hollywood movie. Not car crashes and very realistic action scenes. -
Red-Barracuda21 June 2015In this stylised German cyber thriller a socially awkward young hacker gets involved with other like-minded technophiles and together they form a group dedicated to high profile system breaches. When they decide to hack into the German Secret Service, things start to go wrong. We begin the story with the hacker being questioned by a Europol agent and from here we go back and forth in time to see how he got here.
Films based around computer-based stories are not the easiest to make very cinematic but Who Am I works out a way to do so. In the film's most distinctive and creative scenes we are shown a visualisation of a virtual world known as the dark net, a place in cyberspace where all of the leading hackers meet up. It is shown here in a physical way by way of masked characters interacting on a subway train. It's a nicely, slightly surreal, and very creative way to depict this and shows some real creativity on the part of the film-makers. There is a good energy about this one, with a fast-paced story and energetic electro soundtrack complimenting it. Its material that has the potential to be quite dry and unexciting but which has instead been skilfully brought to screen in a very engaging manner. The icing on the cake is a very good and surprising ending that is audacious but makes good sense given what has gone before. -
That film tries too hard to be cool but it really isn't. The script is full of childish taglines and moreover there is an exaggeration on everything as also most of the cliches someone could expect to find in a film about hacking. It would make more sense tf it was produced on 90s but for 2014 is a film behind it's time.
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"Who Am I: No System Is Safe" is the sophomore feature from up and coming German director Baran bo Odar - who gained recognition after his first feature film- "The Silence"- led critics to name him as a "Director to Watch Out For" in 2011.
WHOAMI is the digital alias of a young but talented hacker named Benjamin Engel. Ben is a nobody in real life- just another freak who goes unnoticed by the world. However, as soon as he logs in online, he fancies himself a sort of superhero.
After teaching himself to code at the age of 14, Ben began to wander into the "Darknet"...where all the "Big Players" of the hacking realm were known to dwell. Here he found himself becoming especially influenced by a fellow hacker named MRX.
MRX had developed a 3-fold manifesto, which was embraced by the hacking world:
1) No System Is Safe. 2) Aim for the Impossible. 3) Enjoy the meat world as much as the net world.
He was the "somebody" Ben was striving to become.
Everything changes for Ben after a happenstance meeting with an outgoing "script kiddie" named Max- who is better at hacking people than he is the internet. The two had met during community service- which Ben was serving for hacking into a University server from which he was trying to steal exam questions for his childhood obsession, Marie. The two young men quickly realize they have similar ambitions and become friends with one another.
Max introduces Ben to Stephan- a software wiz- and Paul- a master of hardware. Ben's specialty is machine code...and together the four consider themselves a force to be reckoned with. They inevitably team up to create CLAY (Clowns Laughing At You)- an activist oriented hacker collective that quickly become renown for pulling off stunts akin to Yippies and the Yes Men- in an attempt to gain global recognition and prove that they too can be one of the "Big Players".
Their drive shifts, though, when a hacker named Krypton is found murdered. Word on the Darknet is that FR1ENDS- one of the "Big Players" who are known to be a group of hackers employed by the Russian Mafia- had killed Krypton because he was an informant for the feds.
The CLAY crew are incredibly disturbed by these revelations, while still trying to win the admonition of their hacking idol- MRX. This encourages them to focus on two actions: to discover the identity of MRX and actively work to stop FR1ENDS. Little do they know, this will all culminate into one massive hack that is more "social engineering", than it is limited to computer hacking.
Will Ben and CLAY be able to play all sides against each other, achieve their goals, and escape scot-free? That's the plan. But a double twist at the end will keep you guessing.
Story-wise "Who Am I" has a tone similar to that of other anarchy oriented films from Germany, like "What To Do In Case of Fire" or Hans Weingartner's "Free Rainer" and "The Edukators"; plot-wise it is reminiscent of 90's crime gem "Fresh"; while, stylistically one can detect the influence of Jeunet and Caro films, like "Amelie". Be sure to keep an eye out for the Fight Club mise-en-scene foreshadowing ruse too.
With great style, a lot of subtle details (you may miss the first time around), and an intriguing soundtrack, Odar has managed to bring us a film that is mysterious, exciting, and thought provoking. It will certainly command your attention from start to finish. Hackers and other revolutionary-minded individuals will particularly enjoy it. Recommended.
7.5 out of 10. -
There's no denying German cinematography has not been in it's prime in the last 10-20 years, but Who Am I makes a great case for it's revival.
May contain Spoilers!
It's a movie that gets you thinking about more than it's plot, it gets your attention right from the beginning and doesn't let go. The story-line progression is well-paced, maybe a tad too fast and you might regret they don't exploit the abundant actor chemistry. It stands out by being a movie about rebellion and personal perception, how we each choose to see something we want to see.
The movie I feel is a big tribute to Fight Club, it has the same nihilist and rebellious vibe, especially when Max enters the scene. There's even a scene where police enter WhoAmI's room and there are posters of Fight Club. Also as the plot progresses, there's the constant feeling some characters may not be as real as others.
But the ending just blows your mind, combine the Prestige with Fight Club and you got yourself one big mind-f%%k. Excellent movie, I'd totally recommend it to anyone. Smart, fast-paced, well-aimed, great message. 10/10, watch it NOW! -
imagineallthenames12 April 2020This came before Mr. Robot and it seems to have had a big influence on the development of that show. Granted Mr. Robot is a bigger better production, but in this move are all the seeds of the future Mr. Robot...
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kdoim22 May 2017This film is interesting because there are reversals in the movie. This movie is about Benjamin and his friends hack the system to be like their role model, MRX, who is the best hacker i the world. But they went to too far and becoming the target. And trying to go back to their normal life.
For artistic value is pretty good. The light, color, and the background sound help audience get more concentrate the scene.
For literacy value the plot was great. Benjamin explains his story to Hanne who is German FBI officer. But he doesn't explain the story specifically. These foreshadow makes the reversal in the movie. I won't tell this because it could be the spoilers and these parts are the best.
For educational value in this movie wasn't that strong meaning but still tell us people usually want to see what they want to see even it won't be true.
For entertainment value is pretty good in this movie. At first half hour Benjamin and his friends hack the system but not that big but still makes the movie don't get bored.
Overall, I really liked this movie. And I recommend you if you like the movie has big reversal in the movie. -
searchanddestroy-19 October 2016It was a performance for me to appreciate this little movie. Yes, a performance because I am not particularly fond of Internet and hacker movies. It's not a topic, a scheme from my generation; I am too much old fashioned to love this kind of films. But for this one, I must admit that it was a real shock, a good one, and it reminds me the one when I discovered RUN LOLA RUN, another gem from over the Rhine, eight years ago, directed by Tom Tykwer who went to Hollywood since and gave us two terrific films named THE PERFUME and THE INTERNATIONAL. That's all I saw from him. But back to this one, yes, this proves that the German film industry is not so static or gloomy as many folks say. I guess the director of this movie will go to Hollywood - he has already done it and begun the shooting of a crime flick, a remake of a French one: NUIT BLANCHE. I also guess that this new director will be a simple yes man for the Hollywood producers, UNLIKE Tykwer was, because PERFUME and the INTERNATIONAL, I repeat again, were masterpieces for me. I am afraid that this talented film maker will lose his soul in USA. But if his genius is only focused on camera angles and technicities, and not the story,so maybe the American producers will be loose with him. The trailer of his crime flick seems promising. Let's wait then...
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felixwenzel-7444027 September 2021"Who am I". It was pretty clear to me, what I will write about this movie right from the beginning, but I wanna start with some positive criticism:
The movie is a solid thriller, that has a fast driven story and never feels overly stretched. I must confess, that I had no idea how this movie would be, since I haven't read anything about it beforehand and therefore was not expecting the "Fight club" twist, even though I realized the weird situation with the car key (it was hard to miss, I know ) and some other small indicators. It was nicely shot and it was clear, that a professional was the DP, but he clearly has a fable for close ups (kind of annoying).
Now to the bad side... The movie is a complete rip off and genre translation of Fight club. Starting with the obvious: the imaginary friend situation. Yes of course in the end they reveal it's all a big trick but that was just to make this movie a little different from fight club Than the 3 rules of MRX which are a clear copy of the rules of fight club and lastly the girlfriend drama, with the friend taking the girl he wants even though the protagonist stays the emotional partner of the girl.
Going on... the writer tried to hard to make sure everyone understands the protagonist is a nerd by always putting in some quotes from big franchises like Star Wars or Superman (DC franchise).
Those made the movie a little less enjoyable but over all I liked the Movie a lot and it was of Good quality, wich is a surprise, for people that know the current German movie industry.
I hope the review was helpful, Have a nice day! -
It's beautiful how internet globalized our movies' experience, Which made beautiful movies like this one watchable worldwide instead of being trapped in its origin country, and it tells people that there are another developed movie industry other than Hollywood.
What i really liked about the movie-which i also didn't like once i played it- that it start with backward events sequence that showed the "sad" finale,but fortunately you will be surprised with the real finale.
This is a type of a movie that you can't move your eyes away while you are watching it, you will get involved with the ups and downs in the events, you may even support the characters although what they are doing is ethically questionable.
The cast fit perfectly with their characters, the scenario and dialogue were straight to the point with no extra encrypted "hacker- terms" which usually filled in those type of movies, it simplify the idea of hacker to hacker relationship without getting involved into the details.
It's a clean movies for families with zero nudity "finally".
Finally, if you want a rush of adrenaline, or if you are a thriller movies addict or even amateur then this movie is for you. -
MovieSonic25 October 2015I finally watched this and it was much better than I was expecting but was still hampered with a few too many clichés (or rather, 'borrowings' from other films).
It's a bit cheesy in places (e.g. dialogue, plot points) but the pacing is great and the characters are really engaging.
Tom Schilling and Elyas M'Barek have great chemistry and special shout out to Wotan Wilke Möhring for his dancing!! I had to rewind that a couple of times until I'd stopped laughing! Trine Dyrholm was wonderful throughout. All I could think when I saw her was, "this is Portia de Rossi's twin from another mother".
I was gutted with the twist at the end...at first...but by the time the film ended, I was pretty happy (except for that last 'wink', what was the director thinking?!) I hadn't read any synopses of the film so I won't spoil the surprise for others because as soon as you mention the similarities between this and 'another film', you know what's coming.
I watched with German subtitles as I'm not 100% fluent in German and didn't want to miss any of the dialogue but I found it to be very straightforward.
This is a good, solid film and well worth watching.
7/10 -
BeneCumb16 February 2016As I am not familiar with and interested in special technology, including hardware and software, I usually avoid related creations as they tend to include a lot of sophisticated terms and activities, but - from time to time - everybody needs some diversity, plus I heard some good stuff about this film.
And Who Am I - Kein System ist sicher caught my attention and admiration from the beginning - fast and intensive plot (but not too "flashing"), very good (Tom Schilling as Benjamin and Trine Dyrholm as Hanne Lindberg) and good (the rest) performances, skillful cinematography and directing, witty flashbacks and multiple solutions... At first, the inclusion of Marie's character seemed somewhat excessive, but eventually all the pieces fell into place and the result is a solid film recommended to fond of (getting to know about) modern threats and vulnerabilities.
And Schilling is a fine actor - based on 3 films I have seen with his participation. He could definitely have wider international employment and recognition. -
Can i get novel or script this film? this film is the best action, so i want have novel colection for this is film
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neddyinitaly29 July 2020Desparately trying to be cool. Never believable for a second. All characters are cardboard characitures: the nerd; the tear-away, the cold bureaucrat. Technically illiterate. Attacks trendy targets: the international financial system, pharaceutical firms, neonazis... Glorifies delinquents. Good special effects.