Set in 1820s Germany, this proto-feminist procedural based on trial records dramatizes the case of notorious female serial killer Gesche Gottfried and adds an investigator punching above her weight to solve the murders. You read that right--the cat and the mouse are both women, during an era in which European women were not even permitted a higher education.
The mood is furthered by memorable cinematography: cold light pours through enormous windows, though not always elucidating the faces--or motivations--of the characters at the center of the story.
A subplot involving the proliferation of the railroad, as well as a crucial detail about the infamous “blood rain” incident, add useful historical context.
The remarkable period detail extends to forensic procedures used at the time, making it a must-see for true crimers.