The Treatment (De behandeling)

Dir: Hans Herbots

2014

****

Hans Herbots's 2014 thriller De behandeling is a Belgian adaptation of 2001 novel The Treatment by British crime-writer Mo Hayder. The novel is based around the theme of paedophilia and it features her recurring protagonist DI Jack Caffery. The adaptation sticks firmly to the novel, with only the main characters name changing from Caffery to Inspector Nick Cafmeyer and the location changing from Brockwell Park in South London, to somewhere in Belgium. Nick Cafmeyer is a well-respected Inspector with a successful career but a dark cloud hangs over his life. Since the age of nine, he has been haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his younger brother, Bjorn. Plettinckx, a known sex offender who lived behind his family house across the train tracks, was questioned but then quickly released. Plettinckx continued to live close by as Nick stayed in his family home after the death of his parents, and takes fiendish pleasure in harassing Nick by leaving notes and animal bones for him to find. Then, when a disturbing case comes to light involving a missing nine-year-old, Nick heads a massive search which turns into a relentless manhunt. His history often effecting his emotions, Nick has to focus on the facts without his ghosts blurring the truth for him. It's pretty dark stuff. It explores the lowest aspects of human nature and doesn't shy away from it for a single second. It's part Se7en and part Silence of the Lambs but very much its own beast. It certainly keeps you guessing until the very end and there are many unexpected twists to enjoy along the way that you will not see coming. There is a bitterness about the story that is missing from mainstream crime films, so while it is deeply disturbing, it's refreshingly honest and direct. It's a taboo subject, indeed, it is the most taboo subject but it is handled quite tastefully while also being brutally real. The direction is flawless and the structure brilliant. It's the perfect thriller in many respects although the story isn't for everyone. The change of location doesn't affect the story at all and Geert Van Rampelberg is brilliant as DI Jack Caffery/Inspector Nick Cafmeyer. I think he's a phenomenal actor and I had been looking forward to seeing him again in something great since first seeing him in 2012's brilliant The Broken Circle Breakdown. Credit to the actors who play the villains of the film. Paedophile isn't really something you want to get yourself type-cast into but Johan van Assche is brilliant in what must have been quite a difficult role to play. Most thrillers have around two or three big thrill scenes, De behandeling has a dozen. I'd love this to be a series of films, but like I said, not for the faint hearted.