PEACOCK
FILM REVIEW - D’A FILM FESTIVAL 2025
Laughter, Absurdity, and Emotion at Its Peak
TMN's Noelia Serrano introduces Peacock to our audience in this exclusive video.
On the occasion of the D’A Festival, a contemporary auteur film festival held in Barcelona, many independent cinema fans have had the chance to watch Peacock, a sharp-witted Austrian-German comedy by Bernhard Wenger. The film follows the life of Matthias (Albrecht Schuch), who works for a character rental agency, posing as whoever the client needs—a boyfriend, a son, or a friend, for example.
Writing a film review is easy when a movie has a standout feature, whether it be its screenplay, cast, or cinematography. But what happens when a film excels in all these areas? That is the case with Peacock, a film that shines in every possible way.
This feature is a sharp comedy infused with dark humor, absurdity, and surreal scenarios, depicting the wildest situations one can imagine. At the same time, it cleverly exploits the humor found in everyday life, squeezing out every bit of wit from the mundane and routine.
Yes, it is funny—hilarious, even (and I’m not the only one who thinks so; the entire theater erupted in laughter throughout the screening). But Peacock also carries an emotional depth, offering a profound reading of the protagonist’s reality and the motivations behind his inner conflict.
Director Bernhard Wenger studied directing at the Vienna Film Academy. His debut feature, Peacock, had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
One of the strengths of this film is how easy it is to empathize with the protagonist (played by Albrecht Schuch), as his desires and longings are universally relatable. The film explores these with comedy, but also in a sharp and direct way. He is a charismatic character, so well portrayed that the audience’s understanding of him transforms the film into an emotional journey.
“Without a doubt, Wenger has brought to life an entertaining film, one of those where you’re afraid to blink in case you miss something, with an ingenious and fun plot in which not laughing is impossible.”
Without a doubt, Wenger has brought to life an entertaining film, one of those where you’re afraid to blink in case you miss something, with an ingenious and fun plot in which not laughing is impossible. In short, Peacock is one of those audiovisual gems that make you wish more films like this were made: bold, authentic, different, and, in summary, something never seen before.
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