I cannot deny that I was not impressed at all by the success of some of Marco Petry's most known works in the last 20 years, most of all the very overrated "Schule", but with "Meine teuflisch gute Freundin" he kinda won me over. This may not necessarily have to do with his writing and directing only because the film is based on a novel and I am writing this review as somebody who has not read said novel, but it it's close to the original material, then that says a lot of positive things about the book. There is a bit of fantasy Sci-Fi note attached to the film as here we have the daughter of the devil coming to Earth where she is supposed to turn the most caring and harmless girl into someone evil. Without the use of magic, that is. Initially, I was not too big on the actress playing the main character, but the longer the film went, the more she grew on me. The one I loved right from the start, not just physically, was Janina Fautz who did really fine here and I am curious to see her in upcoming projects. I kept wonderwing what it was with these Jewish almost Anne-Frank-like looks and also the name of her character, but maybe it was just coincidence, this is really not what the film is about. instead, it is about love, friendship and lots of fun from start to finish. These sweaters from Greta's mother were the coolest thing ever and it's hilarious that on one occasion we see these two trendy girls wearing them too. By the way these and everything else about Great reminded me a bit if Jamie in "A Walk to Remember". But maybe that's just me because I really adore that character and movie. I already mentioned the two trendsetter girls who always had the perfect style and these were also one reason why I liked the film, they were not depicted as black-and-white 100% antagonists, but actually somewhat likable despite their superficial behavior at times. And eventually, they become good friends with Greta. Or the story about the womanizer boyfriend who just may not have found the right girl to turn him into a good guy and that he is not used for story purposes as somebody who disappoints every girl he is with and this an antagonist. The only thing close to an adversary is the guy who gets burned in a funny manner early on and even he is more in it for the comedy. oh yeah and the principal too. Maybe that embezzlement reference is a bit too much at the very end to be fair. It's strange to see how Axel Stein looks like these days, especially given how he looked like in petry's works almost 20 years ago, but good for him I guess. The character wasn't bad, but admittedly added very little to be fair. So for the film itself, it is another pretty decent German teenager films. These have been becoming a bit less in recent years, but maybe this one can bring the genre back on track. It would be nice to see something like this in animation too here in Germany. Overall, maybe not a must-see really, but very entertaining 100 minutes I'd say that can be seen not just by the young ones who have the same age like the main characters, but also by those considerably older and young at heart. I as somebody twice the age of the key people in here enjoyed it way more than I expected. It's also a pretty smart film one must say and one that never takes itself more seriously than it should, which is nothing you should be taking for granted when it comes to German movies (*cough* Schweighöfer *cough*) So yeah, see it if you like the genre. You will not be disappointed.
12 Reviews
Quality stuff, also for grown-ups, very positively surprised here
Horst_In_Translation30 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Good entertainment
ombrettelabeauceronne5 April 2021
The Devil made me do it
kosmasp5 July 2021
Ah it is so fun if you can use another movies title, that is a fitting description, while it has nothing to do with the other movie you just used the title from. This is not Conjuring or anything close a horror movie, even though we have the devil in our midst. Well his daughter.
So you know what you will get into - do not blame the movie if you don't like it on that merits. It is aimed at teenagers and female ones at that. That doesn't mean that the feelgood vibe of it (that does not make too much sense if you think about it, just don't then) won't affect anyone else too. Good actors for the genre and the low budget this had.
So you know what you will get into - do not blame the movie if you don't like it on that merits. It is aimed at teenagers and female ones at that. That doesn't mean that the feelgood vibe of it (that does not make too much sense if you think about it, just don't then) won't affect anyone else too. Good actors for the genre and the low budget this had.
Tempted by the Devil's Daughter
Uriah4313 April 2024
Tired of her life in hell, a teenage demon named "Lilith" (Emma Bading) convinces her father--none other than "Satan" (Samuel Finzi) himself--to allow her to go to Earth to tempt mankind into committing evil deeds. Not quite sure she is up to the task; Satan acquiesces under the condition that she compels an innocent high school girl named "Greta Birnstein" (Janina Faust) to do something evil. Not only that, but he gives her exactly one week to do it. The problem, however, is that in the process of trying to lead Greta astray, she meets a teenage boy named "Samuel" (Ludwig Simon) who intrigues her and, the more time they spend together, the more complicated things become for all concerned. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, in spite of the film's dark overtones, this movie was quite suitable for general audiences. Admittedly, there were some scenes which weren't as humorous as they could have been, but even so, I enjoyed this film for the most part, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Light-hearted entertainment meant for a teenage audience
myriamlenys18 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
For a long time Lilith has been wanting to prove her mettle to her father, who is the Devil himself. As part of a deal she can visit the earth, where she is supposed to entice a soul into sin. Lilith soon discovers that the said soul belongs to a kind and well-meaning girl from a kind and well-meaning family. Indeed, the family is so wholesome that the pater familias (a farmer and greengrocer) sings happy little songs to his vegetables...
"Meine teuflisch gute Freundin" is a blend of comedy and fairytale. Although it is aimed at a teenage audience, treating problems such as obtaining a high school diploma, fitting in with the crowd and falling in love for the first time, it can be watched with pleasure by adults too. There are some good jokes to enjoy and the performances are charming, especially by the two young protagonists.
It's a bit of a pity that the resolution feels so bland, given that a more adventurous approach might have led up to a gloriously chaotic finale.
This is not the movie to watch for those interested in a complex examination of the warring impulses to be found in the human soul - but what the heck, light-hearted fun can be welcome too.
"Meine teuflisch gute Freundin" is a blend of comedy and fairytale. Although it is aimed at a teenage audience, treating problems such as obtaining a high school diploma, fitting in with the crowd and falling in love for the first time, it can be watched with pleasure by adults too. There are some good jokes to enjoy and the performances are charming, especially by the two young protagonists.
It's a bit of a pity that the resolution feels so bland, given that a more adventurous approach might have led up to a gloriously chaotic finale.
This is not the movie to watch for those interested in a complex examination of the warring impulses to be found in the human soul - but what the heck, light-hearted fun can be welcome too.
If you stumbled across this movie, watch it!
RevvedReview14 March 2021
This is a high school feel-good movie, much better than any Disney made-for-TV movie or series. The Netflix description and absurd 14+ rating (not to mention impossible to find by browsing) results in a lot of the intended audience not knowing that this movie exists.
The movie is in German and has English subtitles. But it isn't too dialogue-heavy, so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the film without constantly reading.
The premise is pretty original - it could have gone a lot of different directions but somehow ended up as a high school comedy, with fun creative takes on the different high school tropes. The film doesn't waste time on random scenes or rambling dialogue - every scene and conversation pushes one of the several plotlines forward.
The acting, directing, and editing are all top-notch. You can tell it's not quite Hollywood, but at the same time it's not an artsy indie film or a made-for-TV movie. At least 6 members of the cast had what I call "presence" and really immersed you into the film. It makes me want to explore contemporary German cinema to see what else is out there.
One could nitpick some of the plot elements and character decisions, but at the end of the day it's a high school comedy and it delivers 100%. One small nitpick is that one of the love interests had a great introduction and personality, but then the film made him too passive for second half of the film, taking away his fun persona.
The movie is in German and has English subtitles. But it isn't too dialogue-heavy, so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the film without constantly reading.
The premise is pretty original - it could have gone a lot of different directions but somehow ended up as a high school comedy, with fun creative takes on the different high school tropes. The film doesn't waste time on random scenes or rambling dialogue - every scene and conversation pushes one of the several plotlines forward.
The acting, directing, and editing are all top-notch. You can tell it's not quite Hollywood, but at the same time it's not an artsy indie film or a made-for-TV movie. At least 6 members of the cast had what I call "presence" and really immersed you into the film. It makes me want to explore contemporary German cinema to see what else is out there.
One could nitpick some of the plot elements and character decisions, but at the end of the day it's a high school comedy and it delivers 100%. One small nitpick is that one of the love interests had a great introduction and personality, but then the film made him too passive for second half of the film, taking away his fun persona.
Deucedly Good
chris_ts14 April 2021
An "evil" teen comedy. The devil's daughter, Lilith was to be as evil as her father but she is charming and in love instead. (Not as charming as Samuel... 😉) The performances of all the actors are convincing as hell! The movie has a perfect plot twist. Loved it!! 😈😈
Utterly charming funny and brilliant.
rdoanderson17 April 2021
Definitely NOT made in Hollywood
the_doofy30 May 2021
Satans daughter as the central theme
--No pot, no drugs, no getting drunk, ciggies turn out to be bad No gutter sex, no LGBT, no pervasive Language
--Some good chuckles throughout and a feel good movie
--Acting is pretty good across the board, and the singing is good (wish there had been more singing)
--This movie was NOT put out by a modern Hollywood
--Please bring in more of this kind of stuff into the USA ,world, because we can't get this anymore in this country
--thnx.
--No pot, no drugs, no getting drunk, ciggies turn out to be bad No gutter sex, no LGBT, no pervasive Language
--Some good chuckles throughout and a feel good movie
--Acting is pretty good across the board, and the singing is good (wish there had been more singing)
--This movie was NOT put out by a modern Hollywood
--Please bring in more of this kind of stuff into the USA ,world, because we can't get this anymore in this country
--thnx.
More than a teen comedy. It is simple entertainment.
resireg10 December 2021
This movie touched me a lot. One of the characters is supposed to be evil and the other meek and submissive. What happens now that many of us were like that, raised by our parents to be positive, helpful and kind, while in school hierarchy that doesn't earn you any respect, power or popularity.
I wish I have seen this movie when I was a teen, so I would understand better the dynamics and act badder, so I wouldn't regret being so optimistic. In this movie the evil girl is supposed to ruin the nice one, but she ends up helping her to find her self esteem.
I wish I have seen this movie when I was a teen, so I would understand better the dynamics and act badder, so I wouldn't regret being so optimistic. In this movie the evil girl is supposed to ruin the nice one, but she ends up helping her to find her self esteem.
I really loved this one
tiagotorlay1 May 2024
I haven't seen many German movies. I liked some of them, others were just fair. This one is really good and smart. It's one of those movies which makes you smile at the end. Although the end and many actions may seem predictable for many experienced viewers, the movie is witty and funny. The devil's daughter has to turn someone good into a bad person, and then her father sends her to the house of a very kind naive and silly girl who does not have a boyfriend. Right at the beginning, you can see that the bad girl willl have a hard time trying to turn that sweet girl into a wicked one. There's never a boring part. The pace is good and entertainement. It's just worth every piece of your time. Much better than a lot of nice American romcoms.
Great Balance of Devilish Delight and Innocent Goodness
tabuno26 March 2023
It is not often until lately that Americans have easy access to foreign movie productions, but it appears that Netflix is flooding its programming with them. Like Korean movies which appear to have set them on a level perhaps even exceeding the entertainment value of American productions in a number of ways, apparently they are not the only ones. This German rom-com has a refreshing different take on the devil-inspired subgenre. What the director and scriptwriters accomplished here was a fascinating balance between comedy, drama, good, and wily evil that set a consistent tone that both allowed a creative edgy darkness and avoid the serious horrific motif that would have been impossible to balance with the lighter, innocent goodness of the premise that this movie was built on. The ending scenes were brilliant in their twisty way the daughter of evil made her indirect presentation in her attempt to carry out a bargain made in hell with her father of turning someone evil on earth above. Deliciously sly badness with goodness.
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