New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 5 | Page 119

Palmer is Clare, a young Aus- tralian backpacker newly arrived in Berlin. While out wandering the streets she has a suspiciously manufactured meet up with a handsome older man, Andi (Max Riemelt, best known outside Germany for his role in the Wa- chowski’s Netflix series Sense8), and the two quickly dive into a sexual relationship. Having stayed the night in Max’s apartment (he’s the sole tenant in an otherwise deserted block), Clare finds herself trapped in his home, with no key left behind while he’s off at his teaching job for the day. Arriving home in the evening, Max apologizes and leaves her a key the next morn- ing, but much to Clare’s surprise, the key doesn’t fit the heavy lock on the apartment door. She fi- nally realizes Max is keeping her around on purpose, something he confirms upon his return. The title Berlin Syndrome would seem a pun on Stockholm Syn- drome, the curious condition of hostages and abductees falling Watch the trailer for Berlin Syndrome NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 5 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 119