Overview
A young man's quest for justice spirals into a dark tale of revenge and ambition.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- bleak
- oppressive
- serious film night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, performances, and literary drama, while some found its episodic pacing and translated narrative less cohesive.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Katadreuffe is arrested for Dreverhaven's alleged murder and narrates his life story to the chief of police.
Dreverhaven repeatedly obstructs Katadreuffe while refusing to acknowledge him as his son.
Katadreuffe teaches himself from an incomplete encyclopedia, enters a law office, and pursues legal training while being branded a bastard.
The film's cinematography emphasizes oppressive offices, apartments, and institutional spaces around Katadreuffe's ascent.
Films like Character, and why
The Piano Teacher
shared period drama setting, class conflict, moral ambiguity, and oppressive father son dynamics
The White Ribbon
shared bleak coming of age, social hierarchy, psychological intensity, and literary European atmosphere
The Remains of the Day
shared historical European setting, personal ambition, patriarchal power, and richly composed drama
The Secret in Their Eyes
shared crime mystery framing, fatalistic mood, institutional pressure, and morally ambiguous character study
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike van Diem
- Release Date
- 1997-04-17
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (121)
Cast
- Jan Decleir
- Fedja van Huêt
- Betty Schuurman
- Tamar van den Dop
- Victor Löw
- Hans Kesting
- Lou Landré
- Bernhard Droog
- Frans Vorstman
- Fred Goessens
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Character about?
- A driven young Dutch lawyer recounts the brutal forces of birth, class, and paternal domination while standing accused of murdering his biological father.
- What is Character like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Character as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Character violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Character as moderate.
- What did critics think of Character?
- Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, performances, and literary drama, while some found its episodic pacing and translated narrative less cohesive.
- Which films are like Character?
- Films with a similar feel include The Piano Teacher, The White Ribbon, The Remains of the Day, and The Secret in Their Eyes.
- How long is Character?
- Character runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Character?
- In United States, Character is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
