Sound of Falling (German title: In die Sonne schauen) is a 2025 German drama film that blends psychological realism with poetic, non-linear storytelling.
The film is written and directed by Mascha Schilinski and stars Hanna Heckt, Lea Drinda, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, and Luise Heyer.
Set entirely within a remote farmhouse in Germany’s Altmark region, the story spans more than a century through the lives of four young women from different eras. Rather than following a traditional plot, the film explores memory, trauma, and repression as overlapping emotional experiences.
It premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize, and was released internationally through arthouse distributors later in 2025.
Sound of Falling Age Rating
Sound of Falling carries restrictive age ratings in most territories, commonly rated 16+ or 18+, due to explicit nudity, disturbing sexual themes, and graphic imagery.
The film contains prolonged scenes of full frontal nudity involving both adults and minors, presented in contexts ranging from bathing and medical situations to explicitly sexualized moments. There are unsettling depictions of masturbation, voyeurism, and symbolic sexual imagery that may be deeply uncomfortable for younger viewers.
Violence is not frequent but includes graphic medical procedures, death imagery, and implied self-harm. Thematically, the film centers on generational trauma, sexual abuse, repression, and the lasting psychological impact of war and patriarchy, making it unsuitable for children and most teens.
Violence & Peril
Violence in the film is psychological and bodily rather than action-driven. Several scenes depict medical trauma, including the amputation of a leg and the treatment of severe wounds, shown with realistic detail. Death imagery is present through post-mortem photography, where deceased children and adults are posed and photographed, creating an eerie and distressing atmosphere. The film also includes references to suicide by drowning and reckless behavior involving fire and dangerous water. One storyline implies deliberate injury to a child to prevent military conscription, adding to the sense of moral and emotional horror.
Language
There is minimal use of explicit profanity, but the dialogue often carries emotional cruelty and oppressive authority. The lack of strong language does not lessen the film’s intensity, as meaning is conveyed more through imagery and implication than words.
Mature Themes
The film is heavily centered on mature and disturbing subject matter. Themes include incest, sexual abuse, repression of women, psychological trauma, grief, and the long-term consequences of unspoken family secrets. Sexual imagery is often symbolic and unsettling rather than romantic. The non-linear structure and bleak tone reinforce the idea that trauma repeats itself across generations, making the emotional content particularly heavy.
Is Sound of Falling Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: No. The explicit nudity, disturbing sexual implications, and graphic imagery make this film inappropriate for younger teens. The themes are emotionally overwhelming and unsuitable for this age group.
Ages 16–17: With Strong Caution. Some older teens familiar with arthouse cinema may understand the film’s artistic intent. However, the explicit sexual content, references to abuse, and disturbing visuals make it unsuitable for most viewers under 18.
Ages 18+: Yes, for mature audiences. Adult viewers who are comfortable with challenging, slow-burn cinema and heavy psychological themes may appreciate the film’s artistry and emotional depth.
Final Recommendation: Sound of Falling is best suited for adults aged 18 and older due to explicit nudity, disturbing themes, and psychological intensity.
What Parents Can Do
- Prepare older viewers by explaining that the film is symbolic and emotionally heavy rather than plot-driven.
- Discuss historical context, including war trauma and gender roles, to help clarify the film’s themes.
- Encourage post-viewing conversations about mental health, repression, and how trauma can affect generations.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Sound of Falling (2025)?
A: The film is typically rated 16+ or 18+ internationally due to nudity, disturbing imagery, and mature themes.
Q: Is Sound of Falling appropriate for teens?
A: No. The explicit sexual content and heavy psychological themes make it unsuitable for most teens.
Q: Does the film contain disturbing scenes?
A: Yes. It includes death imagery, medical trauma, and unsettling depictions of psychological distress.
Q: Is there sexual content in the movie?
A: Yes. The film features full frontal nudity, masturbation, voyeurism, and strong implications of sexual abuse.
Q: Is the movie violent?
A: Violence is not frequent but includes graphic medical scenes, implied self-harm, and disturbing situations involving children.