Udo Flohr’s engrossing period thriller Effigy – Poison and the City is based on the true story of Gesche Gottfried, a rare female serial killer. In the German towns of Bremen and Hannover between the years of 1813 and 1827, Gottfried used a rat poison called “mouse butter” to murder 15 people, including her parents, twin brother, three husbands, children, and friends and neighbors. The intriguing Effigy ties the multilayered small-town murder mystery to the wider scope of the 19th century’s industrial and political transformations. As Gottfried, Suzan Anbeh delivers a kaleidoscopic performance that is all at once genial, alluring, and sinister, making her guilt or innocence enigmatic.
On the other side of the investigation is Cato Bohmer, a woman who defies sexist expectations in her role as a law clerk. Elisa Theimann brings her to life with steely verve. Bohmer's clever, bright, and passionate spirit not only shames her male colleagues but also boldly contrasts with Anbeh’s ominous mysticism. Bohmer flexes her shrewd intelligence by taking the lead in the investigation—searching for evidence, interviewing witnesses, and accessing leads, including Gottfried. Anbeh and Thiemann have an intense chemistry that fills their scenes with riveting tension.
Effigy is a crafty whodunit where the killer is evident and what is more exciting is figuring out how she will be caught, particularly with the use of early forensic science. The combination of Flohr’s sharp script and Sven Pape’s punchy editing makes for a gripping film, rounded out by the elegant score and picturesque cinematography that brings out the lovely settings and authentic period details. Effigy - Poison and the City is an engrossing slow-burn tethered by powerful female lead performances.