WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
A visually caffeinated, three-hour dive into the crumbling decadence of 1930s Berlin.
93%
93%View →This isn't your standard Friday night movie. It's a sprawling, experimental German drama that feels like a three-hour panic attack in the best way possible. If you want a deep dive into the 'dancing on the volcano' vibes of pre-WWII Berlin, this is the gold standard.
It's a hard watch because it's long and relentlessly subtitles-heavy, but it's rewarding for parents who want more than a history textbook version of the 1930s. It’s vibrant, depressing, and incredibly stylish.
Strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The complexity of the political themes, the sexual content, and the sheer length make it a tough sell for anyone younger.
It captures the cynical, decadent energy of the late Weimar Republic. It's more about moral decay and 'going to the dogs' than modeling kindness, though the central romance has a genuine, if doomed, heart.
Dominik Graf uses a kinetic, experimental editing style—split screens, archival footage, and sudden shifts in pace—to make 1930s Berlin feel modern and chaotic rather than a dusty museum piece.
Expect significant nudity, sexual situations, and the heavy atmosphere of pre-Nazi Germany. It is intended for an adult audience and is not a 'surprise' watch for kids.
A masterclass in historical atmosphere and literary adaptation. It offers deep insight into the psychological state of Germany right before the collapse of democracy.
Most movies about 1930s Germany start with the brownshirts already marching. Fabian: Going to the Dogs is more interested in the messy, decadent, and desperate years just before that. It’s based on Erich Kästner’s 1931 novel, which was famously burned by the Nazis, and director Dominik Graf treats the source material with a frantic energy that feels surprisingly contemporary.
Jakob Fabian is a classic 'man of letters' in a world that no longer cares about letters. He writes cigarette ads by day and haunts bars by night. When he falls for Cornelia, an aspiring actress, the movie briefly looks like a romance, but it’s actually a autopsy of a civilization. The film's style is the real star here—Graf uses fast cuts, handheld cameras, and grainy archival footage to make you feel the instability of the era.
For a student of history or a fan of international cinema, this is essential viewing. It pairs well with the show Babylon Berlin, but where that show leans into the 'noir' mystery, Fabian stays focused on the existential dread of watching your future vanish. Just be prepared for the length; at nearly three hours, you'll want to clear the evening. It’s a rewarding, if exhausting, experience that respects the viewer's intelligence enough not to simplify the politics or the tragedy.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
