Sophia, der Tod und ich (2023)

Reiner Hellberg, an elderly care worker living in Berlin, hears his doorbell ring. Outside is a pale-looking guy who later introduces himself as Morten de Sarg. He is Reiner’s Death, and he is supposed to escort Reiner to the afterlife; Reiner is due to die from an undiagnosed heart defect. The same kind of heart defect was also the reason for his father’s early death. Before that can happen, however, the doorbell rings again, and Reiner’s ex-girlfriend Sophia is standing outside. Reiner and Sophia have been invited to the 63rd birthday of his mother Lore, who lives far away; the two of them still haven’t had the heart to tell her that they have broken up. Morten, Sophia, and Reiner set off together by train toward the provinces of northern Germany to visit Reiner’s mother. They bring a few cans of beer and a few bottles of vodka, which Morten also takes a liking to. During their journey, the trio is watched by God and the Archangel Michaela. Besides Morten, there are other Deaths, who meet their boss, Michaela, at a snack stand. Because Morten has failed in his mission with Reiner, Michaela hands the case over to Morck Mortus. The next day, Morck introduces himself to Lore as an employee of HBC Bank who wants to evict her from her house over unpaid instalments. Morck and Morten argue over Reiner, and the argument ends with Morten, Reiner, Lore, and Sophia fleeing in a car. On the way, they explain to Lore that Morten is Reiner’s Death. They also decide to pay a visit to Reiner’s seven-year-old son Johnny. Morck sets off in pursuit with Lore’s neighbors. The four spend the night at the innkeeper Hubert Semmelrath’s place, where Sophia and Reiner spend a night together. When Morck tries to take Reiner’s life, Sophia stops him. She wants Reiner to be able to visit Johnny before he dies. After Morck also fails, he is taken off the case, and Morten is supposed to complete the assignment the next day. Reiner spends some time with Johnny, after which Morten completes his assignment. Michaela assigns Morten his next case: the innkeeper Hubert.