Stille Nacht (2004)

This film is based on the Utrecht serial rapist. After yet another rape goes unsolved, the outspoken Emma Machielsen, who studies mathematics during the day and works in a bar at night, decides that something must be done. She sets up a committee, and although the response is initially lukewarm, four other students soon join: Marieke Kopermode, Josien Schippers, Laura Fischer, and Bonnie Javoer. Because the university has to cut costs, the students cannot count on financial support for their plan. The extroverted Marieke, who speaks her mind, initially does not take the committee seriously—until one night, while cycling alone through the woods, she becomes one of the rapist’s victims. Her four friends find her only after the rape and are horrified by her condition. They are determined to find the perpetrator. One develops paranoia about being followed; another sees a perpetrator in every man. Emma suspects Edwin Mollenaar, a fellow student who once arrived three hours late for work on the same evening as a rape. Meanwhile, Marieke withdraws from the outside world. Once sociable and outgoing, she now avoids making eye contact with others. Bonnie is so invested in the case that it has led to a breakup with her boyfriend René. Not long afterward, a teacher asks her to pose nude for him, which also raises questions among the girls. They doubt whether the man is innocent until they hear that Edwin went into the woods at night. Emma decides to follow him, but discovers nothing suspicious. The girls then focus on several sex offenders, including Waardenburg. Emma confronts him, leading to a frightening encounter. Despite his aggression, she rules him out as the perpetrator after learning that he has been castrated. Afterward, she reveals that she was raped as a child. Meanwhile, Marieke recognizes the brand of the perpetrator’s belt from its sound. Bonnie notices that the teacher wears the same belt and accepts his offer to pose for him so she can learn more about him. Josien also notices that Jonathan, the friendly library employee she regularly talks to, wears this belt. After a dubious conversation, she is convinced that he is the perpetrator. By now, the other three girls have reached the same conclusion. Marieke breaks into his place and finds his instrument. Jonathan restrains her, but the other girls come to her rescue and overpower him. Marieke eventually uses his own instrument to kill him. At the end, it is revealed that Laura, who throughout the film has regularly spoken with the psychologist about a past trauma, knew that the psychologist was Jonathan’s father. She tells him that after the murder they dumped the body and that no one on the committee was ever suspected.