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Sci-fi thriller

The Privilege (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Privilege (2022) movie poster

The Privilege is a 2022 sci-fi thriller directed by Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde, starring Horst Janson as Grandfather Bergmann, Max Schimmelpfennig and Milena Tscharntke. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes. IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Echo Score
44
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The Privilege (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
German
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Privilege About?

The premise of The Privilege without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Within the esteemed halls of an exclusive private school, a group of privileged students discovers a disturbing secret. A series of unsettling events leads them to investigate, revealing a sinister plot and exposing the dark reality hidden beneath the school's polished exterior. They must confront the unsettling truths and the dangers they uncover as they challenge the established order and fight for what’s right.

The Privilege Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lesbianism
  • occult
  • drug
  • spirit medium
  • threesome
  • german
  • fungus
  • medication
  • demonic possession
  • night
  • dam
  • school
+38 more
  • deceased
  • nature
  • lake
  • riding a bicycle
  • demon
  • drug dealer
  • seance
  • greenhouse
  • childhood trauma
  • psychiatrist
  • pharmaceutical company
  • product presentation
  • surgery
  • adopted child
  • running over someone
  • evil corporation
  • electronic voice phenomena
  • hospital
  • medium
  • psychic
  • paranormal phenomenon
  • rave
  • brother sister relationship
  • conspiracy thriller
  • conspiracy
  • teenager
  • group sex
  • paranoia
  • bisexuality
  • teenage rebellion
  • pink hair
  • evil grownups
  • police
  • firefighter
  • police officer
  • black leather jacket
  • dancing
  • water
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Cast & crew

The Privilege Cast & Characters

Horst Janson leads the cast as Grandfather Bergmann, with Max Schimmelpfennig as Finn Bergmann and Milena Tscharntke as Sophie Bergmann. Directed by Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Privilege

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde

More films directed by Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde: Emerald Green, Sapphire Blue and Ruby Red.

Ratings

The Privilege Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Privilege 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 44/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

44 /100

The Privilege Echo Score Breakdown

The Privilege presents a mixed but overall disappointing experience, with its strengths limited to occasional moments of competent craftsmanship and an intriguing premise. Critics and users alike note a lack of narrative cohesion, uneven performances, and an overreliance on genre clichés, which dilute the film's intended tension. While a few reviewers acknowledge a solid core and occasional entertaining scenes, the cumulative effect is one of a muddled horror effort that fails to sustain interest on repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows flashes of competence, such as a well‑executed production design and occasional effective visual touches. However, many reviewers criticize its predictable genre mashup and indecisive direction, suggesting the overall aesthetic feels unfocused. The mixed feedback results in a modest appraisal of the technical execution, reflecting a competent but uneven artistic effort.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating character and emotion, the consensus points to weak performances and unengaging portrayals. Multiple users describe the acting as bad, stale, or embarrassing, and highlight a lack of chemistry among the cast. A lone positive note mentions an acceptable main lead, but this is outweighed by pervasive criticism, leading to a low score for character work.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive mixed assessments; the central plot involving a parasitic fungus is deemed intriguing by some, yet many find the narrative confusing, slow, and overly derivative. Critics comment on predictability and a rushed, unsatisfying ending, while a few users appreciate the core idea and gradual revelation of secrets. The overall impression is a story that struggles with pacing and coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Sensory experience is not a primary focus in the reviews, but mentions of a solid production value and occasional effective scenes suggest an average execution. No strong praise is offered for soundtrack or sound design, and the lack of distinctive auditory or visual style keeps the sensory score in the middle range, reflecting a competent yet unremarkable sensory presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch factor appears low, as many reviewers label the film unworthwhile for repeat viewings, citing an unsatisfying ending and overall lack of excitement. A minority note some entertainment value and potential appeal as a genre experiment, but these are insufficient to boost replayability. Consequently, the film scores poorly on lasting appeal and desire for subsequent watches.

Plot

The Privilege Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Privilege from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Finn Bergmann’s life takes a dark and traumatic turn during his childhood when he witnesses a horrifying event involving his older sister, Anna, played by Lea van Acken. Anna appears to become possessed during a family emergency and tragically dies under mysterious circumstances. This incident leaves a lasting psychological scar on Finn, who begins experiencing intense hallucinations, nightmares, and a pervasive sense of paranoia. His distraught parents, believing Finn’s condition to be purely mental illness, put him on strong medication in an attempt to suppress his disturbing visions and memories.

Full summary

The whole story of The Privilege, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

The Privilege Videos

The clip of The Privilege.

Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Privilege?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actress portrays Finn's older sister Anna?

Cars

Cars in The Privilege

14 cars on screen, including the 1998 BMW 3 E46 and the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback.

All 14 cars
  • 1998 BMW 3 E46 in The Privilege 1998 BMW 3 E46 Main role
  • 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback in The Privilege 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback Important role
  • 2008 Audi A3 Sportback in The Privilege 2008 Audi A3 Sportback Minor role
  • 2016 Audi SQ7 in The Privilege 2016 Audi SQ7 Minor role
Details

The Privilege Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “El privilegio” and “เดอะ พริวิเลจ”.

Also known as
  • El privilegio
  • เดอะ พริวิเลจ
  • Filhos do Privilégio
  • 더 프리빌리지
  • Đặc Quyền
  • Privilegiet
  • 圈养
  • Przywilej
  • Privilegium
  • Привилегированные
  • Привилегија
  • הפריבילגיה
+9 more
  • Ayrıcalık
  • Privilegij
  • 惡權
  • Το Προνόμιο
  • 恵まれた子供たち
  • Kiváltság
  • Le privilège
  • Привілей
  • 特權之惡

Seen The Privilege?

FAQ

The Privilege FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Privilege, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Privilege?

The Privilege runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Privilege released?

The Privilege was released on February 9, 2022.

Who directed The Privilege?

The Privilege was directed by Felix Fuchssteiner and Katharina Schöde.

More films by Felix Fuchssteiner

Who is in the cast of The Privilege?

The Privilege stars Horst Janson as Grandfather Bergmann, Max Schimmelpfennig as Finn Bergmann and Milena Tscharntke as Sophie Bergmann, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Privilege rated?

The Privilege has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 52% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Privilege have a post-credit scene?

No. The Privilege has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Privilege in?

The original language of The Privilege is German.

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