Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- grim
- ominous
- adventurous
- dark fantasy night
- folklore movie marathon
What critics said
Critics found an enjoyable dark fantasy with effective performances and strong themes of temptation and friendship, while noting that it moves slowly and leaves some story elements underexplored.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Krabat enters the black mill as an apprentice and is initiated into the miller's secret magic society.
The Meister trains the boys in black magic while the society's terrible rules threaten their lives and freedom.
The black mill, ravens, ravaged German countryside, and Grimm-like magical atmosphere define the film's visual identity.
Krabat's bond with Tonda, Juro, and the other apprentices supports their attempt to escape the Meister's deadly order.
Films like Krabat, and why
The Brothers Grimm
dark fairy-tale atmosphere, corrupting magic, and a young protagonist resisting an oppressive master
The Company of Wolves
grim folklore, coming-of-age danger, and visually heightened supernatural storytelling
The Devil's Backbone
young protagonists confronting sinister occult forces in a historical European setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Marco Kreuzpaintner
- Release Date
- 2008-09-07
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (229)
Cast
- David Kross
- Daniel Brühl
- Robert Stadlober
- Hanno Koffler
- Christian Redl
- Paula Kalenberg
- Anna Thalbach
- Charly Hübner
- Tom Wlaschiha
- Moritz Grove
Common questions
- What is Krabat about?
- A war-scarred orphan enters a sorcerer's mill and risks everything to break its lethal hold over a brotherhood of apprentices.
- What is Krabat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Krabat as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Krabat violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Krabat as moderate.
- What did critics think of Krabat?
- Critics found an enjoyable dark fantasy with effective performances and strong themes of temptation and friendship, while noting that it moves slowly and leaves some story elements underexplored.
- Which films are like Krabat?
- Films with a similar feel include The Brothers Grimm, The Company of Wolves, and The Devil's Backbone.
- How long is Krabat?
- Krabat runs 120 minutes.
