Tier (2017)

Directed by: Greg Zglinski | 95 minutes | thriller, drama | Actors: Birgit Minichmayr, Philipp Hochmair, Mona Petri, Mehdi Nebbou, Michael Ostrowski, Philip Lenkowsky

‘Tiere’ is about the couple Anna and Nick, who had their best days as a duo. One of the two is cheating, the other suspects, but without throwing it at the cheater. Because communication in a relationship is something that you seem to have to learn. They prefer to give each other stabbings under water, mean remarks that touch the soul of the other. But… there is hope. Because of a project by Nick, the two retire for six months to a lovely (though…) wooden chalet in rural Switzerland. The change of scenery and the absence of seductive distractions should do the marriage good, right? A new beginning… or the beginning of the end?

Born in Poland, but grown up in Switzerland, Greg Zglinski (1968) sketches the decay of a marriage in a fascinating one-and-a-half hour down to the second. He interweaves storylines, dreams, fantasies and mixes up the chronology of both events and things that may not have really happened. You would think that there is no rope to tie to ‘Tiere’, but that is not so bad. The story is so unpredictable and exciting that you as a viewer like to be carried away by this bizarre film.

The acting is certainly to blame for that. Birgit Minichmayr is fantastic as Anna, and the chemistry she shares with Philipp Hochmair makes the viewer believe that you’re looking at a couple who have actually been through years of ups and downs. Mona Petri is largely responsible for confusing the viewer, as she takes on not one, but three roles. However, because of the parallels, she could also be someone else just like that.

‘Tiere’ will appeal to fans of David Lynch, but certainly also has the suspense of Hitchcock. Don’t expect to fully understand this surreal mindfuck, but that’s not the point either. The black humor from the screenplay by scriptwriter Jörg Kalt (1967–2007) who died by suicide has been excellently translated to the silver screen, and the knowledge that his ending is self-chosen gives the film an extra dark edge at times. ‘Tiere’ is an extremely enjoyable surrealistic tale. Playing car games will never be the same after watching this movie.