Nightwatch

After being released on parole, a young traumatized prisoner needs to find his place in society. After being sentenced to several years in juvenile prison for negligent homicide, Paul is released on parole. Insecure and aimless, the introverted loner tries to regain his footing in the world outside. To reintegrate into society, he has been offered a temporary job as a night watchman at a local university until he finds a permanent training position. Paul spends his nights alone in the empty hallways and lecture halls of the university, longing to make friends. He is repeatedly haunted at night by traumatic memories and panic attacks. When Paul meets a group of students at a party, everything finally seems to improve. For the first time in a long time, Paul has the opportunity to make friends again and leave his old life behind. But the demons of his past do not let him rest.

Directed by Joachim Neef, Nightwatch leans on a strong ensemble — Justus Johanssen, Roman Schomburg, Christoph Hofmann — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2022.