Original subtitles

There was a time when I was truly happy.

I had a sister three years younger than me.

Her name was Anna.

I loved her.

So very much.

I should have taken better care of her.

In the psychiatric ward, they told me I had to be patient.

That it just takes time.

After months, I made a decision.

I found myself a new publisher,

took on a different name, and…

I told no one about my sister.

Come in.

The publishing company's guest villa. I'd sell it to you…

on reasonable terms.

Let's say…

Fifty percent of your next five books.

That was ten years ago.

The perpetrator has still not been caught.

And I…

I haven't left the house since I moved in.

It works for me.

I feel safe here.

Only the people closest to me know where I live.

And only my therapist knows about my sister.

Hey, buddy, did you have fun outside?

Did you have fun?

I still write,

and not only does my imagination make me a lot of money,

it also lets me travel.

Buongiorno, Signora. I have the best table for you today.

Good morning, Signorina.

Signora! Good morning, Signora!

Please, come over here.

I have beautiful olives.

Here, try one. If you like, you can buy some.

Anna!

CAPITAL CITY PRESS CONFERENCE

Hey.

ARES PANTOS - CAPITAL RADIO

Anna?

I'm coming in!

Anna?

Anna?

Don't go.

ELLEN DEMIR - NETWORK BERLIN

THE TRAP

THE MONSTER

Lisa?

Lisa?

Yuma.

Did you fall?

No, everything… Everything's fine.

From your agent.

She sends her regards.

A not-so-subtle reminder, if you ask me.

If you could put them in some water…

- You okay? - Yes.

…put the groceries away, and feed Bukowski?

Sure.

That's all I need today.

I'll be back on Wednesday, okay?

- If you need anything sooner-- - I'll call, Yuma. Thank you.

Okay.

Everything from the mailbox is in the kitchen.

- I'll take the laundry off the line too. - Yes, great.

Okay.

Bukowski, come.

Network Berlin…

ELLEN DEMIR FOCUS - POLITICS & SOCIETY

"Robert Lenzen, journalist."

"Born in 1974."

"Until 2010 at the Guardian,

until 2015 at the foreign desk of the Münchener,

until 2023 freelance Middle East correspondent."

"Currently senior editor

in the investigative department at Reflekt Berlin."

"He's a keen chess player, runs marathons,

and is a generous supporter of Amnesty."

"Speaks four foreign languages fluently."

"Was, until 2016, married to Alexandra Faust,

the daughter of the publisher of the Münchener."

"Father of a twelve-year-old…

daughter."

Criminal Investigation Department, K11, Akbari.

Hello?

Hello. Can I speak to Leon Weber?

Chief Inspector Weber is not in. Who is this, please?

Who is this, please?

It's about an old case.

- Please tell me-- - A murder almost ten years ago.

Ten years ago?

Yes?

I'm listening.

What if there were a new statement

from someone who thinks they know the murderer?

If you want to make a witness statement, you can come by anytime.

You just need to back up your claim.

My "claim"?

Your statement has to be verifiable. That's what I meant by "claim."

Or anybody could accuse anyone.

How often do cases this old get solved?

I can't give you an exact number,

Ms…

But it's not so unusual that…

old cases are solved using DNA,

what's known as a genetic fingerprint.

Since 1998…

INVESTIGATION CLOSED

…this data has been stored nationwide.

For all cases investigated after '98?

Yes.

Ms. Wilking?

Ms. Wilking, my colleague has told you several times

that the investigation into your sister's case has been closed

and that we will contact you if there's anything new.

They'll never believe me.

No one will believe me.

I need his DNA.

Calm.

Stay calm.

Calm.

Hello.

Robert Lenzen.

Thank you for granting me this interview.

Come on. Inside.

Come, Bukowski.

Feeling better?

Yes, much better.

Could you make Dr. Anger her coffee before you leave?

- I'll be ready in five minutes. - Sure.

Hey, Rainer.

- Hey. - Leon.

Lisa Wilking just called for you.

The last time was…

almost two years ago.

- Did anything happen? - No.

I checked already. There's no new report against her.

I'll make a note of it.

Ms. Konrad, I know that these imaginary trips

are a very important diversion for you.

At the same time, you mustn't isolate yourself any furth…

Aren't you feeling well?

You look very pale.

I ate too many antipasti yesterday.

How was your last "trip"?

Nice. Italy inspires me.

I like the food, the music…

Rome is my favorite city.

Did you meet anyone?

My sister.

It was only briefly. I was so happy to see her.

No blood this time?

Only her Vespa was red.

I saw the Monster again.

The same dream?

A flashback again, and fainting?

No, I recognized his face right away. Even after ten years.

He looked older than back then?

That's new.

Interesting.

- Did you ask him in your dream whether-- - It wasn't a dream.

Excuse me?

It was real. I saw him on TV.

I believe that's what you perceived, Ms. Konrad.

But what you're saying gives me pause.

Because I'm mad and watch too much TV?

Because you're traumatized and have an anxiety disorder.

I can adjust your medication.

If you feel an acute episode coming on--

I'm good.

We have time.

I'd like to get back to my desk, if that's all right with you.

You've started a new book?

Okay, if…

If you've just entered a creative phase…

That explains a few things.

You know what?

I think we actually should finish a little early today.

- What do you think? - Yes.

Good.

See you next week.

Good luck with the writing.

Thank you.

Dining room or living room?

Dining room.

You've never given a one-on-one interview.

You don't have Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Bluesky accounts.

In short, if it weren't for your books,

you could think Lisa Konrad doesn't exist.

"Lisa Konrad, born in 1987, winner of the German Literature Prize,

lives with her dog near Munich."

That's it.

So…

The entire world wants an interview with you,

and I, of all people, get one, even though I never asked for it.

That makes me wonder,

what is the reason?

The reason.

What is the reason for this interview?

Why am I here?

The reason.

I will write it.

"My Sister."

"A crime novel…

by Lisa Konrad."

"That morning, Lisa didn't…"

That morning, strangely enough,

Sophie didn't scream when she woke up."

"Her own horrified scream."

"Since her sister's murder,

that was the sound

that would jolt her awake."

"Her waking so quietly was all the more strange

because it was the day of Anna's funeral."

"But Sophie felt nothing."

She must have seen something. She was there and must know who--

Sophie, don't. Let it go.

Let it go.

The petals floated through the air.

Red, like Anna's blood.

Does he know that Anna hated cut flowers?

Did he actually know her before he…

"Was she a random victim?"

Or did he choose her deliberately?

Sophie's boyfriend would soon disappear from her life.

As if that relationship had been nothing more than a fleeting hobby.

But then, he was there, nodding at her reassuringly.

Sophie's parents wouldn't visit her anymore.

They'd rarely call,

only exchanging a few pleasantries at Christmas and on birthdays.

Perhaps because otherwise,

her parents would see it as a betrayal of their dead daughter.

"Sophie…

doesn't really

know."

"She was almost…"

She was almost grateful

when the police officer took her aside from the mourners.

I know it's a bad time, but…

Did you take a look around during the funeral?

- Did you notice anyone who resembles-- - No.

And he didn't look like this…

No matter how many words I use to describe him,

I can't picture him any more clearly.

I saw him, and…

"And at the same time, I didn't see him."

This will make him nervous.

Did she see him or didn't she?

You’d better have a different career too.

You're a painter. Maybe you should try it yourself.

Have you seen any of my paintings?

No, I just thought, the guy you think you saw--

"Think you saw"?

Do you believe me?

Do you believe me that I saw the murderer?

Believing isn't really part of my job description.

You don't believe me. Just like your colleague.

That's not true.

Even so, you can't keep calling us--

It's been weeks! Weeks, and you found nothing. Nothing!

Except that my sister was butchered, stabbed eight times with a knife!

It's nice here, isn't it?

A bit too much shade, perhaps?

I'll die first. I get to choose.

No way. I'm older. I'll die first.

Okay, but when I die, I want to be buried next to you like this.

Not alone in a separate box.

Exactly like this I want to be next to you.

But Sophie had left her sister alone…

in that box, in that hole in the ground.

And she knew how much Anna would have hated…

Mr. Steinmayr!

I'm over the moon that you're finally writing again.

But why a crime novel?

Let's see if it turns out that way. I just wanted to let you know.

I'm aiming for June 30th.

Really? So soon?

But sweetie, why put so much pressure on yourself?

My therapist said it would be good for me.

Right. And you do what she says? That's news to me.

A deadline is good.

That way, I have to deliver and won't get any dumb ideas.

And I'll choose him myself anyway.

Who's "him"?

The journalist. For the announcement interview.

An interview? You?

What does your publisher think?

A Chardonnay with lots of ice! I'll be right there!

Sorry. I'm at an agents' meeting with all my competitors.

Pia, not a word to anyone about my new novel, okay?

Of course not.

Tell me…

Does your therapist also know which newspaper?

Thank you for the flowers. They're lovely.

Should I prepare a draft contract?

- If you want. - Great.

Look after yourself, okay? I mean it.

You too.

Bye.

Amazing.

Sorry again.

No, I should apologize.

I didn't mean to question your credibility or criticize your art.

But I questioned yours.

Is it finished?

It's already sold.

"Lisa K." You're using a pseudonym?

Am I revealing too much?

No, he'll find out anyway. Lisa Konrad is a pseudonym.

"Would you happen to have…

a cigarette for me?"

What makes you think I'm…

Do I smell like smoke?

No. The sole of your shoe.

You're very observant.

But I'm a bad sister.

Because you can't describe his face?

Because I should've looked out for Anna.

"I am the eldest. I have always kept an eye…"

Those left behind often feel guilt.

But I was too late.

I promised Anna I'd be with her by nine.

- If I'd been on time, Anna wouldn't-- - You couldn't have known--

That doesn't change anything! I was too late!

What will you do now?

Keep talking to people.

Your sister's apartment is a forensic nightmare.

We have fingerprints of almost 60 people.

Anna's birthday party the weekend before…

Traces of a party stay for weeks. No matter how much you clean.

And the knife?

That only had your fingerprints.

He must have wiped it.

And…

On Anna?

On… On her body?

There were two DNA traces that weren't from the victim.

But none match the samples from the party guests

or her other personal contacts.

Except your DNA, of course.

None of which I should be telling you.

"…telling you."

That leaves one unknown DNA trace on Anna's body.

Yours.

Subtitle translation by: Suzanne Creak, Diana Renker