The Praying Mantis (2001): Cast & Plot
The Praying Mantis is a 2001 comedy thriller directed by Paul Harather, starring Simon Schwarz as Heli Jancik, Tanja Petrovsky and Christiane Hörbiger. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Paul Harather
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- ORF
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Praying Mantis About?
The premise of The Praying Mantis without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Trixi Jancik leads a dangerous double life. At home she is an obedient housewife, but she dons a disguise to visit the racetrack, indulging in a secret passion and tasting a luxury she had only imagined. After blowing her grocery money, a small domestic fight drives her to poison her husband with a lethal mix of pills.
The Praying Mantis Themes & Keywords
· 5 tags- dark comedy
- husband
- happiness
- murder
- husband wife relationship
The Praying Mantis Cast & Characters
Simon Schwarz leads the cast as Heli Jancik, with Tanja Petrovsky as Gabi Jancik and Christiane Hörbiger as Beatrix 'Trixi' Jancik / Schernthaler. Directed by Paul Harather; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Paul Harather
- Simon Schwarz as Heli Jancik
- Tanja Petrovsky as Gabi Jancik
- Christiane Hörbiger as Beatrix 'Trixi' Jancik / Schernthaler
-
Udo Kier as Julius Quellenreich
Also Starring in The Praying Mantis
· 6 more- Jan Niklas Ulrich Stein
- Peter Faerber Karli
- Klaus Ofczarek Siggi
- Peter Hugo Charles
- Gerhard Ernst Wolfgang Schernthaler
- Ursula Koban Isi Köcker
More from Paul Harather
More films directed by Paul Harather: India and Cappuccino Melange.
The Praying Mantis Plot Summary
What happens in The Praying Mantis from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Paul Canova, a middle-aged university history professor, is married to Vera, a beautiful Russian émigré. Paul’s first wife and their young son died under odd circumstances, and an insurance company launches a secret investigation into Vera’s possible role in those deaths. Nevertheless, Canova seems content with his second marriage and has taken out a large life insurance policy designating Vera as beneficiary.
Then Vera accuses Canova’s long-time secretary, Gertrude, of theft, and insists that Paul fire Gertrude. The secretary maintains her innocence and later commits suicide. Paul now needs a secretary, and his teaching assistant, Christian Magny, recommends one of his own students, Beatrice Manceau, Christiane Hörbiger. While on the job, Beatrice has a brief affair with Canova but she soon ends it after Christian proposes to her.
Full summary
The whole story of The Praying Mantis, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Praying Mantis?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which subject does Paul Canova teach as a university professor?
Seen The Praying Mantis?
Movies Like The Praying Mantis
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Praying Mantis, Praying Mantis and How to Kill my Husband.
The Praying Mantis FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Praying Mantis, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Praying Mantis?
The Praying Mantis runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was The Praying Mantis released?
The Praying Mantis was released on March 8, 2001.
Who directed The Praying Mantis?
The Praying Mantis was directed by Paul Harather.
More films by Paul Harather Who is in the cast of The Praying Mantis?
The Praying Mantis stars Simon Schwarz as Heli Jancik, Tanja Petrovsky as Gabi Jancik and Christiane Hörbiger as Beatrix 'Trixi' Jancik / Schernthaler, among 10 credited actors.
Does The Praying Mantis have a post-credit scene?
No. The Praying Mantis has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Praying Mantis in?
The original language of The Praying Mantis is German.
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