There are some films that you just have to let sink in after watching, and "The Zone of Interest" is definitely one of those. Without directly showing the atrocities committed in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, director Jonathan Glazer nevertheless succeeds in conveying the horror of the death camp. The sound design in particular contributes to this, constantly reminding the viewer of what is actually happening behind these walls. The cinematography is also strong, as the apparent idyll on the one hand and the signs of genocide in the background on the other form a stark contrast.

There is no classic plot in a deeper sense, as the main characters hardly undergo any development. And yet, Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller as camp commander Rudolf Höß and his wife Hedwig are extremely effective in giving a face to the banality of evil. The dialogue is difficult to bear in the face of incredible ignorance and inhumanity. I actually had to take a deep breath a few times.

Even though "The Zone of Interest" is not a horror film, it is clearly one of the most intense horror experiences of the year for me. It is a must-see movie if you want to learn about the Holocaust. This chilling perspective of the perpetrators has certainly never been seen before.