The 2025 Berlinale kicked off with the premiere of “The Light,” directed by Tom Tykwer, known for films like “Run Lola Run.” The film follows a family in Berlin, where it constantly rains, dealing with issues of marriage, privilege, activism, and spirituality. The story unfolds with the arrival of Farrah, a mysterious housekeeper from Syria, who seems to have a plan for the family. While the film starts promisingly with eerie and atmospheric scenes, it struggles with an overstuffed script, jumbled tonal shifts, and trivialization of its themes. Despite strong performances, especially from Tala Al-Deen as Farrah, the film fails to fully explore its characters and ideas, resorting to clichés and contrived subplots. At 2 hours and 42 minutes, the film feels long and meandering, culminating in a predictable twist that falls flat. Despite hints at supernatural and horror elements, “The Light” ultimately disappoints as a family drama and migrant story. The missed opportunity to delve deeper into the societal issues it touches upon leaves the audience wanting more. With timely themes given Germany’s political climate, the film could have been a powerful commentary but falls short of its potential. “The Light” premieres at the Berlinale and will be released in Germany in March, with European release dates to be announced.
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