Although this German policier initally apes Se7en, it's also reminiscent of recent South-East Asian crime films, which concentrate on urban moral decay and the psychological state of the detective rather than the culprit. Christian Redl and August Diehl spark as the maverick veteran and his rookie partner who are assigned to the case of a demented collector of tattoos, who is prepared to kill in order to possess a series of prized ornate Japanese designs. Director Robert Schwentke's thriller favours atmosphere over character and incident, but the result is still a visually striking and fascinating film.

Marc Schrader, a rookie cop caught red-handed with drugs in a police raid of an illegal rave, joins a homicide investigation conducted by Chief Inspector Minks. The victim is a naked young woman with the skin stripped off her back, killed as she staggered into traffic. As Schrader and Minks investigate the murder, the case is complicated by a finger found in the stomach of the victim. Forensic examination proves the finger belongs to Nobert Günzel, who was previously convicted of rape and assault. The police raid Günzel’s residence, and discover a blood-stained table with restraints and bits of human flesh in his basement. They also find video equipment and preserved, tattooed skin from the victim’s back. Soon, they found dead bodies buried in the garden. Günzel then goes missing.