Tattoo

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Tattoo

R

2002

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A brash rookie cop with a love for drugs and clubbing, Marc (August Diehl), and a cynical seen-it-all veteran detective, Minks (Christian Redl), match wits to hunt down a serial killer who is skinning his victims for their intricately-designed Japanese tattoos. The two cops descend into an underworld of tattoo fetishists and sex clubs looking for their perp. But Minks goes into panic mode when his daughter (Jasmin Schwiers) goes missing and is possibly involved with the investigation.

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

Stylish and engaging despite its over-reliance on the conventions of the thriller genre.

Jun 4, 2004

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Jamie Russell

BBC.com

Without the benefit of an equally manipulative script, Schwentke's attempts to appal us eventually just bore.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 25, 2003

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Janice Page

Boston Globe

The premise of this film might be halfway original, but the execution is wholly derivative.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 15, 2003

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

... from my perspective as an art critic, it's an interesting angle to consider.

Feb 1, 2022

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's all as pointless as body modification.

Rated: C+

Jul 30, 2008

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Tenley Woodman

Boston Herald

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 4, 2004

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Violent Content, Sexuality, Grisly Images, Nudity, Language and Some Drug Material!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

Wolfgang G

Tattoo ist ein deutscher Thriller von Robert Schwentke… Polizeischul-Absolvent Marc Schrader entgeht einer Razzia in der Disco nur knapp. Für Hauptkommissar Minks ein gefundenes Fressen, denn jetzt kann er Marc zur Zusammenarbeit zwingen… Ein trüber, atmosphärischer, sehenswerter und nachdenklicher Deutscher Horror/Thriller… Ist Tattoo die deutsche Antwort von Sieben?... oder ein eigenständiger Thriller?... Schauspielerische Leistung ist perfekt, die Inszenierung besitzt einen hohen Produktionswert… Kurz gesagt, ein guter Deutscher Thriller, gut aber nicht perfekt… neun von zehn Punkten…

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It is a good movie, and highly original. It's been dubbed the German 'Se7en'. It's a shame it doesn't quite live up to that reputation to be honest. Although excellent in some ways it was too slow and not as gory as you think it should be!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

Quite good smart German thriller. Innovative and new idea.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

Bizarre. A tattooed skin trade, with a hellish mystery. Really interesting movie with a very gripping, dark, bleak story. It's definitely well done though. Wonderful acting, and the storyline is just overall quite intense. I found this film to be filmed nicely and it kept me entertained and kind of thrilled all the way through. Just really entreating to watch. It's dreary and cold, as well. It is rather, a weird film, with some flaws, but nonetheless it was pretty good. The ending might be a complete mindf*ck.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Is this the German one? Hell of a ride.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Robert Schwentke

Director

August Diehl

Marc Schrader

Christian Redl

Minks

Nadeshda Brennicke

Maya Kroner

Ilknur Bahadir

Meltem

Jasmin Schwiers

Marie Minks

Identity

63%

75%

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Synopsis

A brash rookie cop with a love for drugs and clubbing, Marc (August Diehl), and a cynical seen-it-all veteran detective, Minks (Christian Redl), match wits to hunt down a serial killer who is skinning his victims for their intricately-designed Japanese tattoos. The two cops descend into an underworld of tattoo fetishists and sex clubs looking for their perp. But Minks goes into panic mode when his daughter (Jasmin Schwiers) goes missing and is possibly involved with the investigation.

Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Roman Kuhn, Jan Hinter
Screenwriter: Robert Schwentke
Production Co: Columbia
Rating: R (Violent Content|Sexuality|Grisly Images|Nudity|Language|Some Drug Material)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: German
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround