Love Steaks

When socially awkward Clemens gets a job as a masseuse at a resort hotel, things get off to a rocky start. He doesn't seem to mesh with his co-workers or his snooty bosses. And the customers are weird, including a frisky older woman who does everything possible to make a massage creepy. Eventually he meets Lara, a cute blonde cook who hangs out with a bunch of troublemakers from the kitchen. Timid Clemens is immediately attracted to her rambunctious spirit. Her firecracker antics are like an explosion, one that quickly spreads flames to his heart. But her unpredictable behavior soon shifts from fun to concerning. She often stumbles to his room at night, drunk and aggressive. She's only content when things are risky or dangerous, and she seems to enjoy putting him in precarious situations. It's clear they share intense feelings for each other, but separating the real Lara from the alcoholic becomes quite the challenge. Featuring a standout performance from Franz Rogowski, LOVE STEAKS skillfully captures the chaos of addiction through the lens of new love. (In German with subtitles) —E.F.