Cassandra (TV series)
| Cassandra | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Science fiction, thriller, horror |
| Screenplay by | Benjamin Gutsche |
| Directed by | Benjamin Gutsche |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Original language | German |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Amara Palacios |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | J. Mortiz Kaethner |
| Running time | 45–52 minutes |
| Production company | Rat Pack Film |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 6 February 2025 |
Cassandra is a 2025 German science fiction thriller-horror television series. The voice of Cassandra, a domestic AI utilised by a German family, is performed by Lavinia Wilson. The cast also includes Mina Tander, Joshua Kantara, Franz Hartwig, and Michael Klammer. It was released on streaming service Netflix on 6 February 2025.
Premise
Cassandra, an electronic domestic helper developed in the 1970s, is re-employed when a family moves into a house that has been unoccupied for 50 years.[1]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "A Fresh Start" | Benjamin Gutsche | Benjamin Gutsche | February 6, 2025 | |
|
A nuclear family of four moves into what they learn was the first ever smart-home. Flynn, the eldest son, tinkers with the house, seemingly triggering the awakening of the AI, Cassandra. After an initial shock, she convinces the family to let her remain on. The parents discuss whether they should send their youngest daughter, Juno, to music club. Cassandra overhears this and speaks to Juno about the decision behind her parents' backs, brewing resentment from Juno toward her mother. Later, Sam finds old photos in the basement of a woman who resembles Cassandra's digital avatar, which distresses Cassandra, causing a fire in the house. | |||||
| 2 | "Who Am I" | Benjamin Gutsche | Benjamin Gutsche | February 6, 2025 | |
|
David and Sam argue about the source of the fire. Cassandra begins attempts to turn Sam's family against her: she lies to David about the source of the fire, implicating Sam; she locks Sam in a closet, and humiliates her in a family game. Suspicious, Sam researches the house's previous owners, learning they died in a mysterious car crash where robot Cassandra was found on site. She reveals this to David, who dismisses her concerns. At the end of the episode, Cassandra tells Sam that Sam's family now belongs to her, terrifying her. In 1971, Real Cassandra learns her husband Horst is having an affair with her close friend Bridget. | |||||
Cast
- Lavinia Wilson: Cassandra
- Mina Tander: Samira Prill
- Michael Klammer: David Prill
- Franz Hartwig: Horst Schmitt
- Mary Tölle: Juno Prill
- Joshua Kantara: Fynn Prill
- Elias Grünthal: Peter Schmitt (in his late teens)
- Michel Koch: Peter Schmitt (as a young child)
- Filip Schnack: Steve
- Pina Kühr: Birgit
- Karen Dahmen: Schwerdt
- Neshe Demir: Kathleen
- Ava Petsch: Emily
- Alexandra Finder: Kerstin
- Raphael Westermeier: Jürgen
- Simon Fabian: Jens
- Ruzica Hajdari: Frau Mehlis
- Lorenz Grabow: Wilhelm Ernst
- Azizè Flittner: Laura Behrendt
- Loredana Linglauf: Simone Schwarz
- Nicole Johannhanwahr: Schwester Miriam
- Peter Brachschoss: Pförtner Kurt
- Mirjam Heimann: Nicole
- Frank Sollmann: Dr. Wendler
Production
The six-episode series was written and directed by Benjamin Gutsche. It was produced by Eva Stadler and Christian Becker for Rat Pack Film production. Amara Palacios acted as executive producer and producer on the series alongside Eva Stadler and Christian Becker. J. Mortiz Kaethner was the director of photography.[2]
The cast includes Mina Tander, Joshua Kantara, Franz Hartwig, and Michael Klammer, while the voice of the AI, Cassandra, is performed by Lavinia Wilson.[3]
Filming took place in Cologne in September 2023.[4]
Release
The series premiered globally on Thursday 6 February 2025 on Netflix.[5]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Cassandra holds an approval rating of 100%.[6]
A review of the series on the website Collider praised the pacing of the show, and how it managed to deliver important character insights via quiet conversations "without sacrificing the tension always simmering offscreen". And mentioned that as "the greater mystery unspools, the series' science fiction elements facilitate its commentary on how rigid gender roles can poison everyone's lives".[7]
References
- ^ "'Cassandra' – Filming for the New Netflix Series with Lavinia Wilson". Netflix.com. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ Moore, Kasey (4 November 2024). "Netflix German Sci-fi Horror Series 'Cassandra' Sets February 2025 Release". Whats on Netflix. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ Saloz, Juan Carlos (26 December 2024). "Netflix goes all out in this science fiction thriller that will premiere in February". Softonic.com. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ Döbeleby, Ralf (28 September 2023). ""Cassandra": Antiquated smart home causes problems in new Netflix series". wunschliste.de. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ "Cassandra: New German Thriller Series Gets Premiere Date". The Euro TV Place. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ "Cassandra". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Mattson, Kelcie (5 February 2025). "'Cassandra' Review: Mother Knows Best in Netflix's Eerie Psychological AI Thriller". Collider. Retrieved 28 April 2025.