Tore tanzt

There's evil everywhere, in every society, but man does Germany have the market cornered in this area. Always has throughout its horrifying history. This story, supposedly based on true events, is yet another example of the utter evil and sociopathy people are capable of, and worse, how most others either look the other way or join in the evil doing. Predators know who to prey on, and the lead character was the lamb that was preyed upon by a wolf, in true biblical fashion. Also in true biblical fashion, God doesn't intervene to stop the evil. Well made film, but obviously highly disturbing. Need to watch Care Bears or something after this.

Very realistic ,dark and gritty film .I could see this happening in real life!I enjoyed it although it is quite a harrowing film .

It's rare to find a film which manages to disturb and horrify without ever being exploitative or using cheap shock tactics like you'd see in the August Underground movies but Nothing Bad Can Happen manages to do exactly that. I came away from the film feeling drained and disturbed in a way that I haven't felt since Pascal Laugier's Martyrs which should certainly ring alarm bells if you can't handle upsetting subject matters in your films. Although Nothing Bad Can Happen is undoubtedly a superb piece of filmmaking, it's something I wouldn't recommend lightly due to explicit sequences involving abuse of all kinds and cruelty to animals.

The film follows the true events surrounding a young self-proclaimed 'Jesus freak' called Tore who happens to have some form of autism which makes him think and act very differently to others. Tore places all of his faith in Jesus Christ and is naively taken in by a truly evil family who take advantage of his absurdly good nature. It's a fascinating meditation on evil in society and the dangers of religion. Despite being a truly gruelling watch, Nothing Bad Can Happen never gratuitously relishes in the violence and is always focused on delivering a powerful message. The fact that these events are true makes the film all the more relevant and important.

First-time director Katrin Gebbe shows astonishing confidence behind the camera. Despite the ugly subject matter, the images always try to find beauty and light through the bleakness. There's a hypnotic sense of realism to the whole film which reminded me of Justin Kurzel's equally uncompromising Snowtown. The acting from the unknown cast is similarly impressive, particularly breakout star Julius Feldmeier in the lead who manages to make Tore an engaging and sympathetic main character. Sascha Alexander Gersak also feels toe-curlingly real as the malevolent patriarch determined to break Tore's Holy spirit.

You could easily mistake Nothing Bad Can Happen as being the lost film in Lars Von Trier's 'Golden Hearts Trilogy' which correspondingly follows mentally-challenged protagonists as they battle through life's brutal hardships. It's just as tough to watch as seeing Emily Watson getting stoned by feral kids or Bjork dancing through life despite desperately trying to raise enough money for her son's operation. It'll be too much for some people and it does get worse as the film progresses but the reason I watch films is to be moved and provoked by some sort of emotional response. Nothing Bad Can Happen does this in spade loads.

This is a haunting piece of work which will bury itself under your skin and stay there long after the credits roll. It's a torturous watch at times but it carries an important message which is extremely relevant to society today. The pacing is very slow at the beginning but it's also immersive and character-focused meaning that it's easy to engage with. There was not one moment where I was bored or distracted in its 110 minute running time. It's a heart-breaking watch which will shake you to your core. A stunning debut but proceed with caution.

I hate when movies say "based on true events" with no further reference. It sometimes comes off as a marketing ploy. Unless and until the movie provides the inspiration material, it's nothing more than pure fiction and nothing else. Now this completely voids the necessity to put that it's based on real events in the first place.

NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN takes us along with teenage "Jesus Freak", Tore (Julius Feldmeier), who is taken in by a family who aren't what they, at first, appear to be. By contrast, Tore is a genuine, gentle soul who truly believes that God is watching over him. Unfortunately, Benno (Sascha Alexander Gersak) seems driven to prove him wrong.

The best way to describe this film would be quietly disturbing. While there are a few jolts along the way, most of it is peaceful and calm, lulling you into a sense of safety, before drop-kicking you in the guts.

What is astonishing about this movie is that no matter how deeply degrading, even mind-destroying the situation becomes, it somehow ends in an unexpected place. In spite of it being utterly tragic. Tore is an unforgettable character, the only small ray of light in a dark, dismal scenario. Ultimately, this story manages to be more Christian than other, more preachy films. This is because it sticks to grim reality, showing the cost of faith through Tore's willingness to take it beyond all limits...