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Relativity

Relativity

2019111 minMidcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
Director
Mariko Minoguchi
Starring
Saskia Rosendahl, Edin Hasanovic, Julius Feldmeier, Emanuela von Frankenberg

The fate of Nora, a supermarket cashier who lives happily with her boyfriend Aron, and that of Natan, a loving father who works as a night watchman, cross paths when misfortune turns their lives upside down.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Relativity?

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

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Relativity?

Relativity earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Relativity worth watching?

Relativity's Midcredits score is the 58th percentile of all films, from 1.7K ratings across 4 sources. 53% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

58th percentile

Better received than 58% of films

58th percentile among Drama58th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)56th

64 /100

58th percentile of all films

58th percentile among Drama58th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

53% liked it

56th percentile of all films

55th percentile among Drama56th percentile among 2010s
53% rated it 7–1047% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 6 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

67th percentile

1.7K ratings across platforms

70th percentile among Drama70th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 9% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film uses non-linear flashbacks and focuses on romantic relationships after a traumatic loss.

Fans praised

  • non-linear structure clarifies earlier scenes
  • competent acting from the three leads
  • enjoyable despite a jarring tonal shift

Detractors panned

  • overly slow pacing that never builds momentum
  • unlikeable characters and unrealistic story
  • reinforces outdated romantic ideals

What stands out

Acting55

competent but unflashy from the leads

Plot and storyDivisive40

non-linear structure works for some but feels contrived

Emotional impactDivisive35

attempt at wow moment fails for some

Originality30

twisted romantic tropes feel archaic

Pacing25

slow and never takes full speed

CharactersDivisive20

unlikeable and unrealistic, especially female lead

Watch experience

What is Relativity like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark.

It takes its time, swings between moods and leaves you unsettled. 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

Moods
RomanticTenseMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Melodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.Romantic · 8% of filmsBleak · 8% of films
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.
ToneThe film plays its romantic tragedy and supernatural-tinged coincidence straight, without irony or self-awareness, aiming for emotional sincerity even when the plot strains credulity.
The rideThe film opens with a romantic meeting, then shifts to tragedy, grief, and a revenge turn late in the story, making the mood swing between romantic, tense, and melancholic.
StructureReviews mention flashbacks running backwards through time for Nora's romance and forwards for Natan's story, creating a nonlinear structure. The film likely has a three-act shape beneath the temporal play, and may use a frame story (the opening and closing possibly tying together).

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Unsettled.

UnsettlingThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's moral ambiguity—Nora's connection to her lover's killer and whether she forgives—leaves an unsettling, thought-provoking residue rather than a clear emotional resolution.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

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).Tragedy
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% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3% (this title)
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

9% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

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

Why this archetypeAron is killed in a random bank robbery, a fate beyond anyone's control, crushing Nora's happiness; the synopsis also mentions Nora briefly turning into a 'revenge heroine', suggesting a revenge plot type. Nora's potential connection to Natan, whose daughter has leukemia, hints at a rebirth arc as she may find purpose again.

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 filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · 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% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · 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% (this title) · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsGrief · 6% of filmsFate · 1% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Nora and Aron's instant love, his sudden death, and her subsequent grief; the contrast between coincidence and fate is a thematic thread.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of romantic love and the randomness of fate, instead of celebrating or interrogating it; Nora's grief and the tragic death are presented as devastatingly real.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Jack Robert Ritchie
Settingcontemporary Berlin, subway and bank
MusicOriginal score by Jack Robert Ritchie, likely underscoring the emotional beats.

Content guide

Is Relativity okay for kids?

As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Germany12
  • South Korea15
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (7 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 Relativity have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Relativity?

Cast

Saskia Rosendahl
as Nora
Edin Hasanovic
as Natan
Julius Feldmeier
as Aron
Emanuela von Frankenberg
as Christiane, Arons Mutter
Hanns Zischler
as Arons Vater
Leonard Kunz
as Max
Michelle Barthel
as Luise
David Baalcke
as Alexander Koppermann
Thomas Kress
as Dr. Hecker
Jeanette Hain
as Mecki, Noras Mutter

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Relativity?

Movies like Relativity include Victoria (2015) and Racer and the Jailbird (2017), both films about fate.

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

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Relativity?

2.1K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: revenge thriller. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.