Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
Director
Nora Fingscheidt
Cast
Helena Zengel,
Albrecht Schuch,
Gabriela Maria Schmeide,
Lisa Hagmeister,
Maryam Zaree,
Melanie Straub
Genre
Drama
Benni, a wild 9-year old girl, has exhausted her mother with her violent outbursts. Too young for psychiatric treatment and too old for foster care, she latches onto a social worker who might be her only hope.
This film is a great, sympathetic look at children who struggle with psychological issues and where these issues may have arisen from. I finished the movie feeling a lot more sympathetic for children with behavioral issues, who are often dismissed as "trouble children." The performances are great, especially from young Helena Zengel. It also is a great look at how Europe, particularly Germany, differs from American in psychiatric care. A great, informative, and powerful film!
The Irish Times by Tara Brady
This is a wildly impressive first narrative feature, powered along by a strong cast, great chemistry, virtuoso flourishes, and fierce energy.
The Observer (UK) by Wendy Ide
Most essential is the central performance: Zengel’s oscillating wild joys and storming furies are painful to watch. A moment when she howls for her mother (always tantalisingly out of reach) brought me to tears.
Time Out by Hanna Flint
System Crasher may veer towards being over-sympathetic in its approach to its violently problematic protagonist – Benni is a wrecking ball at times – but it delivers a powerful exposé of the limitations of the foster system. And with its impressive young star to the fore, it is heartbreakingly intimate.
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
A grisly, gripping watch.
CineVue by Tom Duggins
System Crasher is the outstanding feature film debut of German director Nora Fingscheidt. A tremendous slice of life filled with light and energy, which doesn’t shy away from the tough realities of what social care is like for children with severe developmental issues.
Movie Nation by Roger Moore
Zengel is a balled-up fist of energy in the title role, getting across the sweetness that can convince those who take pity on Benni that “she’s making progress,” but unleashing hell in a flash to remind them she isn’t.
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