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Four Minutes

Four Minutes

2006112 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Director
Chris Kraus
Starring
Monica Bleibtreu, Hannah Herzsprung, Sven Pippig, Richy Müller

Jenny is young. Her life is over. She killed someone. And she would do it again. When an 80-year-old piano teacher discovers the girl’s secret, her brutality and her dreams, she decides to transform her pupil into the musical wunderkind she once was.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Four Minutes?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Four Minutes on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Four Minutes?

Four Minutes earns 5 badges, led by Top 10% in Drama and Awards magnet.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Four Minutes worth watching?

Four Minutes' Midcredits score is the 88th percentile of all films, from 11K ratings across 4 sources. 79% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

88th percentile

Better received than 88% of films

90th percentile among Drama86th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)83rd
Approval (how many liked it)89th

71 /100

83rd percentile of all films

86th percentile among Drama82nd percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

79% liked it

89th percentile of all films

91st percentile among Drama88th percentile among 2000s
79% rated it 7–1021% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 26 wins / 9 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

84th percentile

11K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Drama76th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 53% in 30 days

Box office

Budget€1.4M

In euro, not converted to dollars.

Worldwide gross$9.3M

84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Two damaged women clash and connect over piano in a grim prison setting.

Fans praised

  • powerful lead performances by Bleibtreu and Herzsprung
  • emotional depth and cathartic final four minutes
  • atmospheric prison setting and dark tone

Detractors panned

  • implausible plotting and gap-ridden screenplay
  • gratuitous Nazi/lesbian subplots that don't cohere
  • overwrought melodrama and stereotypical characters

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

superb performances from both leads; some critics found them overdone

Emotional impactDivisive80

deeply moving for fans; manipulative melodrama for detractors

Atmosphere80

massively dark, immersive prison tone

EndingDivisive78

rousing, cathartic climactic performance; detractors find it flashy and anticlimactic

CharactersDivisive70

well-developed but polarizing; detractors call them extreme and stereotyped

Sound and musicDivisive70

memorable original finale piece; detractors cite poor recording and hackneyed classical choices

Plot and storyDivisive55

gripping premise undermined by implausible contrivances and loose subplots

PacingDivisive45

slow and dense; detractors cite restless editing and scene cutting

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 11 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Four Minutes like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and bittersweet: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want a story that moves you and leaves an ache.

It takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ContemplativeElegiac
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its material entirely straight — a serious, understated German drama that treats the prison world and the redemptive power of piano playing without irony or distance.
The rideA quiet, serious film that holds a reflective register, lifting into emotional release during the music and bearing down through the brutal prison reality.
StructureA linear teacher-student drama; the synopsis gives no signal of non-linear telling, though Traude's wartime past may surface in flashbacks.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: BittersweetRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayWhat stays with you is a damaged young woman rediscovering her voice through music, stirring and moving, yet shadowed by the confinement she remains inside.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story follows a hardened, violent young inmate who is reawakened to her own worth and gift through an elderly piano teacher's devotion — a classic redemption arc, though the synopsis does not confirm the shape of the final outcome.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% (this title) · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsArt · 4% of filmsPurpose · 9% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeA brutalized young convict is transformed when a fierce elderly piano teacher reconnects her to the musical gift buried beneath her walls.
StanceThe film affirms music's power to reach and redeem a brutalized young woman, treating that transformation as genuinely valuable even against the prison's weight.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalUrbanRealistic
Orchestral classicalForeground music · hybrid · Annette Focks
Settinga women's prison in Germany, where an elderly piano teacher coaches a gifted young inmate
MusicPiano performance is the film's emotional engine; Focks' score supports the classical repertoire at the center of the story.

Content guide

Is Four Minutes okay for kids?

Not Rated

Four Minutes is not rated. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (89/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (50/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK15
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Severe
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (15 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Four Minutes have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Four Minutes?

Cast

Monica Bleibtreu
as Gertrud 'Traude' Krüger
Hannah Herzsprung
as Jenny von Loeben
Sven Pippig
as Mütze
Richy Müller
as Kowalski
Jasmin Tabatabai
as Ayse
Stefan Kurt
as Direktor Meyerbeer
Vadim Glowna
as Gerhard von Loeben
Nadja Uhl
as Nadine Hoffmann
Peter Davor
as Journalist Wahrig
Edita Malovčić
as Traude - jung

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Four Minutes?

Movies like Four Minutes include The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) and Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in prison, and most are redemption stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

7 of these 12 share its world: life inside an institution. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Four Minutes?

966 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: prisoner. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.