The Golden Glove

The 2019 film *The Golden Glove* (German: *Der Goldene Handschuh*) is a biographical horror co-production between Germany and France. It was written, directed, and co-produced by Fatih Akin, and competed for the Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. The story adapts Heinz Strunk’s novel of the same name, centering on German serial killer Fritz Honka, who killed four women between 1974 and 1975 and concealed their body parts in his apartment. The title refers to the Hamburg red-light district pub where Honka, a disfigured alcoholic, encountered his victims. This was Akin’s first film to receive an 18 rating in Germany.

In 1970, Honka, an alcoholic night watchman, murders prostitute Gertraud Bräuer in his squalid Hamburg apartment. He dismembers the body, discarding some parts in a suitcase and hiding the rest in a wall locker; police find the suitcase but cannot identify the killer. By 1974, Honka begins fantasizing about schoolgirl Petra Schulz after a brief encounter at a bar. He spends most of his free time at The Golden Glove pub, where prostitutes often reject him in disgust. He brings home vagrant Gerda Voss, allowing her to stay in exchange for sex and housework, plus a signed contract promising an introduction to her attractive daughter, Rosi. After lunch with his brother Siggi, Honka and Gerda go to the pub to meet Rosi, but Gerda admits they are estranged. Enraged, Honka shatters a glass and bleeds; while he washes in the bathroom, an evangelist offers Gerda rehabilitation, which she accepts. With Gerda gone, Honka approaches three alcoholic women—Inge, Herta, and Anna. After a pub fight, they accept his invitation home, though Herta collapses on the street and is left behind. Honka demands oral sex from the women; when Inge refuses, he assaults her, but she escapes. He then kills Anna by smashing her head against a table, quarters her body, and stashes it in the locker.

The next morning, still intoxicated, Honka is hit by a van but survives. He visits the pub one last time before quitting alcohol. Now sober, he takes a night watchman job at an office complex, where he meets cleaner Helga Denningsen and finds her attractive. At her birthday party, he learns she is married to Erich, who is unemployed and a financial burden. After sharing drinks, Honka relapses and attempts to rape Helga, but she flees.