EXTERRITORIAL

Germany, 2025, 109 minutes, Colour.

Jeanne Goursaud, Dougray Scott, Lera Abova, Kayode Akinyemi, Annabelle Manding, Rickson Guy da Silva.

Directed by Christian Zubert.

This is a German action show which means that the filmmakers have admired and learned from American action shows.

The initial focus is on Sara (Jeanne Goursand), the extraterritorial of the title, having served in Afghanistan, seen combat, also found a partner and their having a son, his death, her return to Germany, manifestations of PTSD, anxiety, mania, delusions. However, it seems that an appreciative American firm is offering her a work position in the US. She goes with her son to the consulate to check with passport and travel arrangements.

This part of the film certainly sets a tone. But, at the consulate, she is forced to wait a long time, her son restless and her allowing him to go to the playroom. She returns five minutes later. He has disappeared. The next part of the film is the frantic search, the help of the consulate authority, Dougray Scott, and his assistant, Donovan, Kayode Akinyemi. The Consul herself becomes involved. Her son is nowhere to be found, and looking at the surveillance pictures show only Sarah, that she had come alone to the consulate. Is this one of her PTSD delusions?

After the desperate search, the latter part of the film moves into high-powered action, Sara drawing on her military skills, the layout of the consulate and its various buildings, something like a labyrinth, multistoreyed, long corridors, elevators. And she draws on all her skills to evade detection and pursuers. But she does encounter a mysterious woman also living in the consulate with quite a history. Suspicions, clashes, but then the two working together.

Of course, there is a twist, the unmasking of an official who has a history in Afghanistan of betrayal of secrets to the Taliban and who wants to eliminate Sarah for self-protection.

A variation on familiar plot of disappearances. Some remembering of European involvement in Afghanistan. And then, an action hero, this time a very resourceful woman, going in to no-holds-barred fighting for her son.

1. The information from the title, Sara and her work in Afghanistan, return to Germany, PTSD?
2. The German setting, the city, homes, outdoors? The move to the consulate, space, interiors, the variety of buildings, the elaborate opening up of the different storeys, corridors, rooms, elevators…? The consulate as something of a labyrinth? The musical score?
3. An action film, given Sara’s background? The buildup, her character, her son, the situation, prospects in the US, her son’s disappearance, the search, moving into a violent action scenario?
4. The establishing of Sara’s character, Afghanistan, the return, tensions, mental states, delusions, devotion to her son? The initial encounters, people’s reactions? Her going to the consulate, the prospects of work in the United States? The memories of her husband? Taking Josh, entering the consulate, lining up, the surveillance, the wait, taking Josh to the playroom, her return and his disappearance?
5. Sara and her motivation, the intense love for her son? Her panic when he had disappeared? Confronting the authorities? The encounter with Erik, with Donovan? The reassurance, her suspicions and anxieties?
6. The atmosphere of conspiracy, Donovan and his behaviour, Erik and his charm and reassurance? The intervention of the Consul, her interpretation of the events? Wary of Sara? Checking the surveillance, no images of her son?
7. The latter part of the film, action show, Sara and her fighting skills, skills and surveillance, observation, going throughout the building, those pursuing her, the fights? The encounter with Kira, suspicions, her background and being in the consulate, confrontations, reassurances, support, Kira and her help, the dangers? Donovan and the pursuit?
8. Sara and the labyrinth, her skills, violent skills, the eventual confrontation with Donovan, the revelation of the truth?
9. Erik, his role in Afghanistan, flashbacks, betrayal to the Taliban, his wanting to avoid being exposed, his manipulations of Sara and the situation, the taking Josh?
10. The final role of the Consul, the buildup to the final confrontation, the unmasking of the villain, enclosed in the room with Sara, her wits getting out, and reunion with her son?