System Crasher

Benni, a stubborn nine-year-old, drifts through foster homes and short stays, earning the label system crasher for her repeated expulsions. She resists every attempt at supervision and clings to a single aim: return to her mother, no matter the cost to herself or others. When a social service team hires Micha Heller, an orderly yet compassionate anger management therapist, the dynamics in Benni's world shift. Micha's unconventional methods collide with Benni's defenses, forcing both to confront the roots of her behavior. As walls come up and cracks appear, a tentative path toward stability begins to form, though the road remains unpredictable. Her protests test caregivers, while small acts of trust peek through the chaos.

Directed by Nora Fingscheidt and released in 2019, System Crasher is built from Bernd Lange's concept and screenplay. The German drama follows a fierce child named Benni as she navigates the care system, exposing the strain on homes and social workers.

Critics praised Helena Zengel's intense performance and the film's unflinching look at trauma, while noting the tension between protecting a child and honoring her agency. The story centers on the damage inflicted by separation and the fragile bonds that healing requires. It raises questions about how much autonomy a child should have in decisions about their life.

System Crasher sparked widespread conversations about how societies care for traumatized children and the pressures on social workers. Viewers responded to Benni and Micha with varied empathy, and the film became a touchstone for discussions on resilience, attachment, and the human cost of care. Its dialogue and performance linger, making it a reference point in debates over child welfare reform.

Box office information for System Crasher is not included in this data, and publicly reported grosses are not readily available in the provided summary online and in theaters.