“Dear Child” is a German psychological crime film, released in 2023 on Netflix, based on the novel of the same name by author Romy Hausmann. The film makes a strong impression thanks to its dark plot, many unexpected details and the depth of the characters' psychology, making viewers unable to take their eyes off from beginning to end.
The story begins when a woman named Lena and a little girl are brought to the hospital after a traffic accident. The girl named Hannah has strange behaviors, seemingly having been psychologically controlled since childhood. She describes a life of being imprisoned in a mysterious house, where she, Lena and her younger brother Jonathan are controlled by a man called “father”. Hannah's stories make the police suspect a kidnapping that has lasted for many years. In particular, when the parents of a missing girl named Lena Beck are called to the hospital, they believe that the woman brought in is not their daughter. From here, a complex investigation begins, revealing horrifying secrets.
The film not only explores the topic of crime but also delves into the psychology of the victims. The character Lena - a mysterious woman - carries deep physical and mental trauma. Little Hannah, despite being young, shows coldness and confusion due to being imprisoned and miseducated. The complexity in the characters' behavior makes viewers constantly drawn into the question: who is the real victim, who is the perpetrator?
The highlight of "Dear Child" is the way the story is told, alternating between the present and the past in a coherent and dramatic way. The space in the film is often dark and isolated, contributing to a feeling of suffocation and tension. The acting of the cast, especially the two main characters - Lena and Hannah - is highly appreciated for its authenticity and haunting.
In short, Dear Child is a film worth watching for those who love the crime psychology genre. The film not only thrills the audience with its thrilling details but also evokes many thoughts about the psychological consequences of violence and imprisonment. This is a profound, painful but no less humane work.
