🪶 Story & Synopsis
“Die Ontwaking” is a gripping and intense crime thriller that delves deep into the twisted psyche of a serial killer named Abel, portrayed by Gys de Villiers. Abel, the owner of a small gallery specializing in African Masks and Art, leads a double life as he meticulously curates a chilling collection of tattoos from his beautiful female victims to fit his disturbing Cosmic Journal theme.
The narrative follows the alluring yet inexperienced detective, Ella Neser, played by Juanita de Villiers, who finds herself on the trail of this deranged serial killer plaguing the city. As Ella delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers the dark and macabre world that Abel has created, leading to a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse between the detective and the killer.
Set against the backdrop of South Africa, “Die Ontwaking” intricately weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological tension as it explores the intricate web of motivations driving Abel’s heinous crimes. The film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the suspense escalates, culminating in a thrilling and jaw-dropping finale that will leave audiences stunned.
With stellar performances by the cast, particularly Gys de Villiers and Juanita de Villiers, the film masterfully captures the chilling essence of a serial killer thriller, immersing viewers in a dark and ominous world where danger lurks around every corner. “Die Ontwaking” is a must-watch for fans of intense crime dramas and psychological thrillers, offering a captivating and unforgettable cinematic experience that will linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll.
🧑 Cast & Crew
Gys de Villiers, Juanita de Villiers, Gérard Rudolf, Paul Eilers, Pete Spyropoulos, Jaco Muller, Armand Aucamp, Christine Tesco
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Gys De Villiers | Abel Lotz |
| Juanita de Villiers | Ella Neser |
| Gérard Rudolf | Capt. Fred Lange |
| Armand Aucamp | Bam |
| Jaco Muller | Andy Collipepper |
| Christine Tesco | Karen Adams |
| Maria Pretorius | Dorkas |
| Morne Visser | Dawid Eigelaar |
| Natasha Dryden | Lisa Sweeney |
| Tertius Meintjies | Dr. Koster |
| Leam Gerber | Young Abel |
| Barbara-Marie Immelman | Mia Vermooten |
| Bradley Olivier | Jimmy Julies |
| Dries Botha | Maansie Lotz |
| Carel Nel | Tom Spottiswoode |
| Chivago Jacobs | Snakes |
| Clara Joubert van den Bergh | Caretaker |
| Annerike van der Spuy | San |
| Gordon van der Spuy | Doep Du Pisanie |
| Anton Treurnich | Henk Muller |
| Marius Botha | Const. Stalmeester |
| Lizette Van Der Merwe | Ouma Hannie |
| Johan Esterhuizen | Professor Victor Grondel |
| Charon Landman | Executive Producer |
💬 Reviews and feedback
Are you ready to dive into the dark and twisted world of “Die Ontwaking”? Imagine a blend of Silence of the Lambs and Psycho, sprinkled with a South African flair. This movie is like a rollercoaster ride through the mind of a deranged serial killer, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
The plot revolves around Abel, a chilling character who preys on women for their tattooed skin. Picture this: a rookie detective, Ella Nesser, hot on his trail as she unravels the mystery behind his gruesome crimes. Will she catch him before it’s too late?
As you delve into this crime thriller, you’ll find yourself peeling back layers of darkness to uncover Abel’s sinister motives. The movie delves deep into the psyche of a serial killer, exploring what drives someone to commit such heinous acts.
With nods to corruption, defiance of protocol, and a relentless chase, “Die Ontwaking” offers a nail-biting experience that keeps you guessing till the very end. While some reviews mention a lack of surprise elements, the sheer intensity and unpredictability make up for it.
- Acting and Characters: The characters in “Die Ontwaking” are as complex as they come. Abel’s portrayal as an intelligent yet twisted killer is bone-chilling. Ella Nesser’s character development from an inexperienced detective to a determined investigator adds depth to the storyline.
- Direction: The direction in this film is on point, capturing the eerie atmosphere and tension perfectly. Each scene is crafted to keep you engaged and constantly guessing what will happen next.
- Cinematography: The cinematography beautifully captures the dark undertones of the story. From dimly lit alleyways to intense interrogation scenes, every shot adds to the overall sense of unease.
- Score: The music score complements the suspenseful moments, heightening emotions and keeping you at the edge of your seat throughout.
Binge-watching Tips: Grab some popcorn, turn down the lights, and immerse yourself in this chilling thriller. Don’t watch it alone if you’re easily spooked!
So, are you ready to uncover the twisted mind behind these gruesome crimes? Buckle up for a thrilling ride with “Die Ontwaking.” Just remember – not everything is as it seems in this twisted tale…
Rating: 8/10
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exploration of the psyche of a serial killer | Lack of surprise elements |
| Action-packed crime thriller | Uninteresting subject matter |
| Intense and suspenseful storyline | Predictable plot |
| Strong performances by the cast | Shallow character development |
| Unique premise of a killer targeting tattooed skin | Derivative of other serial killer movies |
Feedback
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Die Ontwaking streaming: where to watch online? - JustWatch
Die Ontwaking streaming: where to watch online?
Currently you are able to watch “Die Ontwaking” streaming on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV for free with ads.Watch NowWatch similar movies on Apple TV+ for free7 Days FreeThen $9.99 / monthCCHD97min – EnglishFree with adsCC97minFree with adsDidn’t find what you were looking for?Let us notify you once it becomes available on more servicesSomething wrong? Let us know!Currently you are able to watch “Die Ontwaking” streaming on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV for free with ads.
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Die Ontwaking (3/5) - Netflix Movie Review - Heaven of Horror
DIE ONTWAKINGis a new thriller on Netflix. The movie is from South Africa and the story is about a serial killer. ThinkPsychomeetsSilence of the Lambs. Read more in ourDie Ontwakingreview here!
Die Ontwakingis a new thriller on Netflix. This serial killer story is based on a book and set in South Africa. This also means the movie is in Afrikaans. If you’ve watched the new Netflix horror seriesAres, the language will sound very familiar.You might like:Our review of the Dutch Netflix horror seriesAreshere >
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Die Ontwaking (2015) - Plot - IMDb
- A gruesome and action-packed crime thriller. “Die Ontwaking” explores the psyche and motivations of a serial killer, Abel, owner of a small gallery specializing in African Masks and Art, who is also currently curating a collection of tattoos belonging to beautiful female victims, that will fit his Cosmic Journal theme. Ella Neser is the attractive, but inexperienced murder detective in charge of tracking down the serial killer who has been preying on the city’s young women. While trying to prove herself to her more senior colleagues, she is also struggling with the break-up with her boyfriend. Abel is smart and the young detective struggles to make headway with the case. As more victims are found, an easy culprit emerges – a well to do businessman with a link to them all, distracting her from the real killer who is continuing his work. For his upcoming fiftieth birthday, Abel has a special gift in mind for himself – a new face : that of a beautiful young woman, perhaps that of a young female detective.—Die Ontwaking
- Abel is preparing for a special gift to himself on his 50th Birthday. He wants to find himself a new face, that of a beautiful young woman. Ella Neser is the attractive, but inexperienced murder detective, in charge of the case to track down the serial killer who has been preying on the city’s young woman. When Abel develops an obsession with not only her face, but also her tattooed skin – the Hunter becomes the Hunted.
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⚠️ Explanation (Spoiler)
In “Die Ontwaking,” a South African thriller on Netflix, viewers are taken on a chilling journey into the mind of a serial killer reminiscent of characters from “Psycho” and “Silence of the Lambs.” The story follows Abel, played by Gys de Villiers, a peculiar and unsettling serial killer with a disturbing obsession with young women’s skin. Unlike typical mystery thrillers, the audience is aware of Abel’s identity from the start, shifting the focus to the police procedural work led by the determined young investigator Ella, portrayed by Juanita de Villiers.
Similar to the dynamic in “Silence of the Lambs,” Ella faces skepticism and challenges from her male colleagues while navigating the treacherous path to capture Abel. Amidst limited police resources and false leads, Ella finds an unexpected ally in Jimmy, a supportive young black officer played by Bradley Olivier. The film delves into Ella’s struggles, highlighting the complexities of her journey as a female detective in a male-dominated environment.
The ending of “Die Ontwaking” may not hold shocking twists since Abel’s identity is established early on. However, the conclusion is anchored by the stellar performances, particularly Gys de Villiers’ portrayal of the enigmatic and eerie Abel. The final scene delivers a fitting closure to the narrative, leaving viewers satisfied with the resolution.
Directed by Johnny Breedt, who also penned the screenplay based on Chris Karsten’s novel, “Die Ontwaking” offers a fresh take on the serial killer thriller genre. Breedt’s background as an Art Director and Production Designer for notable films like “The Last House on the Left” and “Chronicle” brings a unique visual style to the movie. The runtime of around ninety minutes ensures a concise and engaging viewing experience.
Released on Netflix in January 2020, “Die Ontwaking” presents a captivating exploration of the dark and twisted world of a serial killer, featuring a standout performance by Gys de Villiers as the menacing Abel. For fans of psychological thrillers with unconventional characters, this South African gem provides a compelling and entertaining watch.
| Director: | Johnny Breedt |
|---|---|
| Cast: | Gys de Villiers, Juanita de Villiers, Jaco Muller, Armand Aucamp, Bradley Olivier, Paul Eilers, Gérard Rudolf |
👪 Parents Guide & Age Rating
TV-MA
Age Rating and Parental Guide:
Die Ontwaking (2015)
Age Rating: R (Restricted)
Sex & Nudity:
- The movie contains themes of obsession with women’s skin and tattoos.
- Some scenes may imply sexual content.
Violence & Gore:
- The film revolves around a deranged serial killer with violent tendencies.
- Scenes of crime, horror, and thriller elements involving murder investigations.
Profanity:
- Contains language suitable for mature audiences.
- May include strong language and explicit dialogue.
Overall Parental Guidance:
This movie is suitable for mature audiences due to its intense themes, violence, and language. It is not recommended for children under the age of 17 without parental guidance. The film’s content may be disturbing and inappropriate for younger viewers.
📺 Streaming and where to watch
| streaming service | extra information |
|---|---|
| The Roku Channel | You can watch ‘Die Ontwaking’ streaming on The Roku Channel for free with ads. |
| Tubi TV | You can watch ‘Die Ontwaking’ streaming on Tubi TV for free with ads. |
❝ Quotes and Cult
Die Ontwaking is a new thriller on Netflix.
This serial killer story is based on a book and set in South Africa.
This also means the movie is in Afrikaans.
Die Ontwaking.Based on the book Abel se Ontwaking by Chris Karsten, this directorial debut by Johnny Breedt, an acclaimed production designer, is a total game-changer for the Afrikaans movie industry.
From the cast, the smartly curated music, to the way the story has been turned upside down, this film takes you on an intimate journey into the psyche of a serial killer.
Set in South Africa, this horror/thriller is totally in Afrikaans.
Die Ontwaking explores the psyche and motivations of a serial killer, Abel, owner of a small gallery specializing in African Masks and Art, who is ...
Abel is preparing for a special gift to himself on his 50th Birthday.
He wants to find himself a new face, that of a beautiful young woman.
Ella Nesser is the attractive, but inexperienced murder detective, in charge of the case to track down the serial killer who has been praying on the city's young woman.
Die Ontwaking is based on the first book of the "Abel" trilogy, "Abel se Ontwaking" (translated into English as "The Skin Collector"), by well-known crime writer Chris Karsten.
The actual plot of Die Ontwaking can best be described as Psycho meets Silence of the Lambs.
You know, mommy issues combined with a desire for female skin.
Though this is still very much its own story.
However, just like in Psycho, we meet and know the serial killer, Abel (Gys de Villiers), from the very beginning.
Also, we know very early on (for a fact) that he is the serial killer.
This is not a mystery about figuring out who did it.
Rather, it’s all about following the police work to catch him.
And this is not a CSI type of deal.
Police resources are limited and they struggle with looking at wrong suspects.
Just like in Silence of the Lambs, our lead investigator is a young woman, Ella (Juanita de Villiers), who needs to fight a lot of battles.
Half of her male colleagues make it clear that they don’t think she has what it takes.
Fortunately, others are helpful and positive.
One of them being a young black man, Jimmy (Bradley Olivier) who probably knows what she’s going through all too well.
Look, since we know who the serial killer is from the beginning, the ending is not too surprising.
However, there are probably elements that will irritate you — there certainly was for me!
Mostly in terms of how the lead detective, Ella (Juanita de Villiers), is treated towards the Die Ontwaking ending.
What really makes the ending of Die Ontwaking work anyway, is the awesome actors.
Especially Gys de Villiers as serial killer Abel.
He is so weird and quirky as this character.
He’s exactly the kind of guy you would suspect.
However, he’s also the guy where you would say “Oh, he’s just weird, not dangerous!”
But you would be very wrong!
Also, the very final scene in Die Ontwaking feels very appropriate, so I’m happy with it.
Die Ontwaking is a new thriller on Netflix.
The movie is from South Africa and the story is about a serial killer.
Think Psycho meets Silence of the Lambs.
Read more in our Die Ontwaking review here!
Die Ontwaking is a new thriller on Netflix.
This serial killer story is based on a book and set in South Africa.
This also means the movie is in Afrikaans.
If you’ve watched the new Netflix horror series Ares, the language will sound very familiar.
You might like: Our review of the Dutch Netflix horror series Ares here >That series was Dutch and the Afrikaans language is still mostly Dutch though it has evolved from there.
However, it’s weird to know that this thriller takes place in South Africa when you see a lot more black people in Ares which takes place in Europe.
Apartheid may be over, but the effects still seem very much alive.
Continue reading our Die Ontwaking review below and check it out on Netflix.
The horror/thriller genre is one that hasn’t been aptly explored in the Afrikaans film industry.
Darrell James Roodt’s Die Ballade van Robbie De Wee springs to mind, and that’s about it.
Along comes Die Ontwaking.
Based on the book Abel se Ontwaking by Chris Karsten, this directorial debut by Johnny Breedt, an acclaimed production designer, is a total game-changer for the Afrikaans movie industry.
From the cast, the smartly curated music, to the way the story has been turned upside down, this film takes you on an intimate journey into the psyche of a serial killer.
Almost from the get-go the serial killer’s identity is known to the audience, which surprisingly doesn’t take anything away from the story.
Abel Lotz, brilliantly played by Gys De Villiers, owns a small gallery specialising in African art and masks.
He lives on a smallholding with his mother, who he still chats to every day even though, judging by the dressed corpse on her bed, she’s been dead for quite some time.
Abel is awkward and creepy but also highly intelligent.
And he just loves killing girls and cutting out their tattooed skin.
A definite ‘art’ collector, if you know what I mean.
While the film’s main storyline follows Ella Nesser (Juanita de Villiers), the inexperienced detective who is put in charge of the case to find Abel, sub-storylines showing the personal problems in the lives of the characters contribute to the overall suspense of the film.
Ella catches her boyfriend (Armand Aucamp) in the act when she makes an unexpected house visit during work hours; Ella’s boss, played by Paul Eilers, just wants to retire and get out of the detective business and Ella’s partner is not happy about the fact that she’s lead investigator on the case.
Turmoil, turmoil and some more turmoil make for some edge-of-your-seat movie-watching.
The cast is also worth a mention as they gel brilliantly.
A star in his own right, Gys De Villiers really nails this role on the head, bringing the creepy, deeply disturbed Abel to life on the screen; this role was made for Gys.
You will be afraid, very afraid.
And the legendary Paul Eilers is the perfect 60-something, caring, smoker, mentor detective who is always on the brink of retiring.
For thriller lovers this dark, suspenseful look into the psyche of a serial killer will have you at the edge of your seat at every turn.
🤖Die Ontwaking Reddit Talks
Die Ontwaking is a South African serial killer thriller that has been released on Netflix. The film follows the story of a young woman who is brutally murdered by a serial killer. The detective investigating the case quickly becomes suspicious of the woman’s boyfriend, but he is unable to prove his guilt. The boyfriend then goes on to kill several more women, and the detective is forced to race against time to stop him before he claims any more victims.
The film has been praised for its suspenseful plot and its realistic portrayal of the killer’s psyche. However, some critics have found the film to be too violent and disturbing.
Here are some of the topics that have been discussed on Reddit about Die Ontwaking:
- The film’s violence and gore. Some viewers have found the film to be too violent and disturbing. Others have argued that the violence is necessary to convey the brutality of the killer’s crimes.
- The film’s portrayal of the killer. Some viewers have found the film’s portrayal of the killer to be too sympathetic. Others have argued that the film does a good job of showing the killer’s motivations and his descent into madness.
- The film’s ending. The film’s ending has been a source of debate among viewers. Some have found the ending to be satisfying, while others have found it to be too ambiguous.
Overall, Die Ontwaking is a well-made and suspenseful thriller that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. However, the film’s violence and gore may be too much for some viewers.
Top discussions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main plot of Die Ontwaking?
Die Ontwaking follows an inexperienced detective on the trail of a serial killer with an obsession for women’s skin. As she investigates, the case evolves into a hunt for a deranged murderer.
Who are the main characters in Die Ontwaking?
The main characters in Die Ontwaking include Abel Lotz, the serial killer owner of a small gallery, Ella Nesser, the inexperienced murder detective leading the case, Capt. Fred Lange, and Col. Silas Sauls among others.
What genre does Die Ontwaking fall into?
Die Ontwaking is categorized as a crime thriller movie that delves into the psyche and motivations of a serial killer, exploring themes of obsession, mystery, and psychological turmoil.
Where can I watch Die Ontwaking online?
Die Ontwaking can be streamed on various platforms like Netflix, The Roku Channel, and Tubi TV. The movie offers a gripping and suspenseful narrative that captures the essence of a thrilling crime story.
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