The Robber 2011

Biography

Drama

Sport

Crime

Box Office

$254K

Runtime

90 min

Language

German

Directed by

Benjamin Heisenberg

Made by

Kino International

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The Robber Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Robber (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Johann, portrayed by Andreas Lust, is a convicted felon and marathon runner recently released on parole after serving time for attempted armed robbery. Almost immediately upon his release, he resorts to his old ways, committing bank robberies armed with a shotgun and wearing a mask to conceal his identity. In a surprising turn of events, he moves in with Erika, a young social worker and friend, played by Franziska Weisz. Their friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship, and Johann experiences newfound success as he wins multiple marathons, impressing even his parole officer.

However, Johann’s criminal past catches up with him. As he continues his spree of robberies, Erika grows suspicious of him. Upon discovering his hidden loot beneath his bed, she confronts him and ultimately asks him to leave, encouraging him with the hopeful message that change is possible. Weeks pass with Johann neglecting to contact his parole officer, prompting the officer to visit him after a marathon to express his concerns. When confronted, Johann’s frustration boils over, leading him to brutally bludgeon his parole officer to death with the trophy he won.

In a final meeting with Erika, Johann finds himself cornered. He is arrested in the hotel room where he had stashed his stolen money after being betrayed by a heartbroken Erika, who turns him in. While being handed a confession to sign, Johann pulls off an audacious escape through a window, igniting a nationwide manhunt as he flees on foot. In desperate need of shelter, he takes refuge in an old man’s house. However, while attempting to restrain him, the old man unexpectedly stabs Johann with a concealed pocket knife.

Fleeing in the old man’s car, Johann drives frantically until he spots a helicopter in pursuit. In a last-ditch effort to evade capture, he switches vehicles with some unsuspecting motorists at a rest stop. But as he continues his escape, his injury begins to take its toll, leading him to lose consciousness. Realizing the gravity of his wound, he pulls over, calls Erika, and asks her to stay on the line. In a poignant moment, as he takes his final breaths, he dies with her voice in his ear, the echo of his life slipping away like a fleeting whisper.

The Robber Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Robber (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Johann's Release from Prison

Johann is released on parole after serving time for attempted armed robbery. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life, though he remains haunted by his criminal past.

Return to Crime

Almost immediately after his release, Johann reverts to a life of crime. He commits a series of bank robberies, armed with a shotgun and donning a mask to hide his identity from the authorities.

Various banks

New Relationship with Erika

Johann moves in with Erika, a compassionate social worker and friend who seeks to help him reform. Their friendship gradually evolves into a romantic relationship, offering Johann a glimpse of a different life.

Erika's home

Marathon Success

As part of his path to redemption, Johann participates in several marathons, achieving impressive victories. These successes earn him the admiration of those around him, including his parole officer.

Various marathon locations

Discovery of Hidden Loot

Erika grows increasingly suspicious of Johann’s activities and eventually discovers the hidden loot beneath his bed. Confronting him about the reality of his situation, she encourages him to change his ways.

Erika's home

Parole Officer's Concern

After Johann neglects to check in for weeks, his parole officer pays him a visit following a marathon. Concerned for Johann's welfare, he expresses his worries, which leads to a volatile confrontation.

Johann's home

Parole Officer Murdered

In a fit of rage and desperation, Johann brutally bludgeons his parole officer to death with a trophy he had won. This act of violence marks a significant turning point as his life spirals further out of control.

Johann's home

Betrayal by Erika

Erika, heartbroken and distressed by Johann's actions, decides to turn him in. This betrayal occurs during a final meeting, where Johann's past catches up to him in a devastating way.

Hotel room

Nationwide Manhunt

After being betrayed, Johann escapes through a window, igniting a nationwide manhunt. He becomes a fugitive, fleeing on foot as law enforcement intensifies their pursuit.

Various locations

Injury and Desperation

While hiding out in an old man's house, Johann is unexpectedly stabbed while trying to restrain him. This injury worsens as he continues to flee from the authorities.

Old man's house

Fleeing in a Stolen Car

After his injury, Johann steals the old man's car and drives frantically away, trying to escape his pursuers. He soon becomes aware of a helicopter hot on his trail, heightening his desperation.

Highway

Vehicle Switch at Rest Stop

At a rest stop, Johann makes a desperate decision to swap cars with unsuspecting motorists in a bid to evade capture. However, his injury continues to take its toll on him.

Rest stop

Calling Erika

Realizing the severity of his wound as he loses consciousness, Johann pulls over to call Erika. He asks her to stay on the line, seeking solace in her voice as he grapples with his mortality.

Final Moments

In his final moments, Johann dies with Erika's voice in his ear. This poignant scene marks the tragic end of his tumultuous journey, filled with lost chances and unfulfilled dreams.

The Robber Characters

Explore all characters from The Robber (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Johann

Johann is a conflicted character, marked by his past mistakes and a burning desire for redemption. As a convicted felon turned marathon runner, his duality is evident in his struggle to balance his criminal instincts with the hope for a better life. His tragic downfall underscores the complexities of human nature and the effects of societal judgment.

🏃‍♂️ Runner 🔫 Criminal ❤️ Complex

Erika

Erika is a compassionate social worker who becomes entangled in Johann's life. Her nurturing disposition initially attracts Johann, providing him a glimpse of normalcy and love. However, her gradual disillusionment with his secrets reveals her strength, culminating in a poignant decision to confront him about his life choices.

❤️ Supportive 🚨 Protective 💡 Insightful

The Robber Settings

Learn where and when The Robber (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie's timeframe appears contemporary, aligning with modern societal issues such as crime and rehabilitation. It reflects a time when personal struggles and societal pressures intertwine, leading individuals down complex paths that challenge the notion of redemption.

Location

City, Marathon Course, Old Man's House

The movie takes place in an unnamed city characterized by its urban landscape, where the excitement of bank heists unfolds. The marathon course represents a stark contrast to Johann's darker actions, showcasing his athletic prowess. The old man's house serves as a pivotal location where Johann's desperation increases, ultimately leading to fate-shaping encounters.

🏙️ Location 🏃‍♂️ Sports 🏡 Residence

The Robber Themes

Discover the main themes in The Robber (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🔄

Redemption

The theme of redemption is central to Johann's journey as he grapples with his criminal past while attempting to reform through his relationship with Erika. Despite moments of triumph, Johann's inability to fully escape his former life highlights the challenges of change and the consequences of one's choices.

💔

Betrayal

Betrayal plays a key role in the narrative, particularly within Johann and Erika's relationship. Her discovery of his criminal activities leads to an emotional confrontation, signifying the fragility of trust and the weight of secrets that can unravel even the strongest connections.

💨

Desperation

Desperation permeates Johann's actions as he resorts to crime despite newfound success. The urgency of his flight from the law underscores a frantic struggle for survival, reflecting the intense psychological toll that his choices exact on him.

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