Cynthia Bonsant (played by Heike Makatsch) is a protagonist in Zero.
An online journalist and single mother who serves as the film's central protagonist. Tasked by her editor to investigate the activist group Zero, she becomes personally entangled in their fight against the controlling Act App after a new app version threatens to alter society. Carl Montik (played by Sabin Tambrea) is a protagonist in Zero.
A board member of the dominant internet corporation Freemee. Participates in a secret meeting with government officials regarding surveillance and data control, positioning him as a key antagonist in the corporate power structure. Tony Brenner (played by Axel Stein) appears in Zero.
A government representative involved in the clandestine meeting with Freemee executives. Represents the state's complicity in the surveillance apparatus and the enforcement of the Act App. Geoff Pesceur (played by Matthias Weidenhöfer) appears in Zero.
The head of the online magazine Daily. Acts as Cynthia's employer and the initial catalyst for the plot by assigning her the investigation into the terrorist-classified group Zero. Viola Bonsant (played by Luise Emilie Tschersich) appears in Zero.
Cynthia's 17-year-old daughter. Her personal tragedy and social circle become the emotional anchor and trigger for the protagonist's radicalization against the system. Zero (played by Pit Bukowski) appears in Zero.
The leader or figurehead of the anonymous net activist group. Claims responsibility for the unauthorized drone footage, publicly positions Zero as defenders against the Act App, and actively attempts to recruit Cynthia. Philipp Bonsant (played by Fabian Passamonte) appears in Zero.
Cynthia's deceased husband. His absence defines her status as a widow and contributes to her vulnerable yet determined position as a single mother navigating a heavily monitored society. Janine (played by Meriel Hinsching) appears in Zero.
A friend of Viola. Her connection to the criminal hunt incident and subsequent death (or severe impact) serves as a pivotal event that disrupts the protagonist's life and pushes her toward Zero.
Zero (2021) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Cynthia Bonsant
(played by Heike Makatsch) — protagonist
An online journalist and single mother who serves as the film's central protagonist. Tasked by her editor to investigate the activist group Zero, she becomes personally entangled in their fight agains...
Carl Montik
(played by Sabin Tambrea) — protagonist
A board member of the dominant internet corporation Freemee. Participates in a secret meeting with government officials regarding surveillance and data control, positioning him as a key antagonist in...
Tony Brenner
(played by Axel Stein) — supporting
A government representative involved in the clandestine meeting with Freemee executives. Represents the state's complicity in the surveillance apparatus and the enforcement of the Act App.
Geoff Pesceur
(played by Matthias Weidenhöfer) — supporting
The head of the online magazine Daily. Acts as Cynthia's employer and the initial catalyst for the plot by assigning her the investigation into the terrorist-classified group Zero.
Viola Bonsant
(played by Luise Emilie Tschersich) — supporting
Cynthia's 17-year-old daughter. Her personal tragedy and social circle become the emotional anchor and trigger for the protagonist's radicalization against the system.
Zero
(played by Pit Bukowski) — supporting
The leader or figurehead of the anonymous net activist group. Claims responsibility for the unauthorized drone footage, publicly positions Zero as defenders against the Act App, and actively attempts...
Philipp Bonsant
(played by Fabian Passamonte) — supporting
Cynthia's deceased husband. His absence defines her status as a widow and contributes to her vulnerable yet determined position as a single mother navigating a heavily monitored society.
Janine
(played by Meriel Hinsching) — supporting
A friend of Viola. Her connection to the criminal hunt incident and subsequent death (or severe impact) serves as a pivotal event that disrupts the protagonist's life and pushes her toward Zero.
Key Relationships
Zero → Janine
(Alliance Teammate)
Zero → Philipp Bonsant
(Alliance Teammate)
Zero → Geoff Pesceur
(Alliance Teammate)
Zero → Tony Brenner
(Alliance Teammate)
Zero → Carl Montik
(Power Leader)
Cynthia Bonsant → Zero
(Narrative Recruiter)
Cynthia Bonsant → Viola Bonsant
(Family Mother)
Story Analysis
A near-future Berlin thriller exploring digital surveillance, corporate overreach, and grassroots resistance through the eyes of a journalist and an activist hacker group.
Plot Progression
Shadows of Surveillance
The Cost of Control
Recruitment and Revelation
Race Against the Update
Directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank
Zero (2021) · 4.8/10 · crime, science-fiction, thriller
