Synopsis
The Dutch TBS stands for the country's only de facto psychiatric institution where life sentence is served without possibility of parole. Johan, TBS's forensic unit inmate, escapes the hospital and abducts the 13-year-old girl Thessa to get to his mother living in Belgium to ask her to testify in his favor. What he gets from his own mother is nothing but hatred and blame, which leads to a violent act of crime. Showcasing superb directing, cinematography and performance (note the well-know standup comedian Theo Maassen playing Johan), the camera crisscrosses the intricate real story-based plot where questions abound, i. e., societal views of flagrant crimes, good vs. evil controversy over human nature, mental instability giving way to committing crimes, and, yes, Stockholm syndrome. Enjoy falling in love with Johan, through Thessa, and the blood-freezing surprise ending. (CHO Hye Young)