
The German Netflix show Perfume is a crime drama thriller that revolves around the murder of a singer, whose scent glands are found to be excised from her body. The show is based on the global best-selling novel of the same name by Patrick Süskind and explores the manipulation of scent and its connection to human psychology. The series follows a group of friends from boarding school as they become suspects in the singer's murder, delving into their dark and flawed characters. With its impressive acting, cinematography, and exploration of scent as a central theme, Perfume offers a unique and intriguing take on the crime thriller genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Rating | 7/10 |
| Show Type | TV Series |
| Year | 2018 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Based On | Patrick Suskind's book |
| Plot | A singer is found murdered with her scent glands excised, detectives investigate a group of friends from her boarding school |
| Theme | Sensation of scent, human psychology, and the desire to be loved |
| Tone | Dark, sexualized, and repulsive |
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What You'll Learn

A singer is murdered, her scent glands removed
The German TV series Perfume is a crime drama thriller loosely based on Patrick Süskind's acclaimed novel of the same name. The show revolves around the murder of a singer, with her scent glands excised from her body, prompting an investigation that centres on a group of friends from her boarding school days.
The series explores the power of scent and its connection to human psychology and desires. It delves into the idea of manipulating people through scent, a theme also present in the novel. The show is praised for its atmosphere, acting, and character development, with each character portrayed as flawed and dysfunctional, adding to the intrigue of the plot.
The murder of the singer, with the unusual detail of removed scent glands, sets the tone for the dark and convoluted nature of the show. As detectives probe the friends of the singer, they uncover a web of secrets and potential motives that lead them back to the group's time at boarding school.
The show's exploration of scent as a means of manipulation adds an unusual and intriguing layer to the story. It is described as a "Freudian guide to murder," highlighting the psychological aspects woven into the plot. The dysfunctional and flawed characters, coupled with sexualized behaviours and a dismal setting, create an unsettling atmosphere that enhances the suspense.
With its unique premise, well-crafted characters, and exploration of human desires, Perfume offers a captivating viewing experience. It is a show that demands engagement and provides a refreshing take on the crime thriller genre, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the sense of smell and its potential for manipulation.
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Detectives investigate a group of boarding school friends
In the German TV series *Perfume*, detectives investigate a group of boarding school friends after a singer is found murdered with her scent glands removed from her body. The series is loosely based on Patrick Süskind's acclaimed novel of the same name, shifting the action to the modern day and exploring the book's central idea of manipulating people through scent.
The group of friends being probed by detectives attended boarding school with the singer, who has been killed and mutilated. The series follows a young profiler as they investigate a series of brutal murders, tracing them back to a group of boys at a boarding school who experimented with manipulating people using human scents.
The series explores the sensation of scent and delves into human psychology and the universal desire to be loved and appreciated. It is noted for its dark and repulsive themes, including sexualised behaviours, and has been described as "almost like a Freudian guide to murder".
The show's characters are flawed and, according to one review, "pretty awful individuals", but this is said to add to the intrigue of the series. The acting and cinematography are also praised, with the dismal winter surroundings enhancing the feeling of doom in the storyline.
Perfume is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who enjoy dark European crime thrillers, it is a highlight.
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Based on the book by Patrick Suskind
The 2006 film Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Patrick Süskind. The novel is a historical fantasy set in 18th-century France and explores the sense of smell and its emotional meanings.
The story follows Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an orphan with an exceptional sense of smell. Grenouille becomes a perfumer, but his quest for the perfect scent leads him to murder. He kills young women and attempts to extract their scents, ultimately creating a divine perfume that subjugates the world.
The novel is known for its dark and savagely comic tone, with a particular focus on the protagonist's hatred of humanity and his obsession with capturing human scent. It is written from the vantage point of smell, providing a sense-drenching immersion into the world of the olfactory.
The film adaptation stars Ben Whishaw as Grenouille and also features Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, and Dustin Hoffman. It was directed by Tom Tykwer and filmed in Spain, Germany, and France.
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Explores human psychology and desire to be loved
The German TV series Perfume is a crime drama thriller that explores human psychology and the universal desire to be loved and appreciated. Based on the global bestseller of the same name by Patrick Süskind, the series shifts the action to the modern day and uses the book's central idea of manipulating people through scent as a starting point.
The story centres around the murder of a singer, whose scent glands have been excised from her body. This gruesome act serves as the catalyst for an investigation that delves into the psychology of the characters and their complex motivations. The show explores the theme of scent and its power to manipulate, reflecting on how our sense of smell can influence our perceptions and interactions with others.
As the plot unfolds, a group of friends who attended boarding school with the singer come under suspicion. The series delves into the dark and dysfunctional dynamics of these characters, revealing their flaws and the extent of their dysfunction. They are described as "bad people," which adds a layer of complexity to the narrative and makes the show intriguing and unexpected.
The exploration of human psychology in Perfume goes beyond the characters' actions and delves into their underlying desires and motivations. The show examines the desire to be loved and appreciated, which is a fundamental aspect of human nature. By presenting flawed and unlikable characters, the series prompts viewers to consider the complexities of human behaviour and the potential consequences of our deepest desires.
Through its exploration of scent manipulation and the characters' psychological motivations, Perfume offers a unique perspective on the human condition. It invites viewers to reflect on the power of scent in our lives and how it can influence our perceptions, memories, and even our darkest desires. By addressing the desire to be loved, the series touches on a universal theme that resonates with audiences, making it a thought-provoking and engaging watch.
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Dark, sexualised and unhealthy behaviours
The German TV series Perfume is a dark, sexualised, and often repulsive show that explores the desire everyone has to be loved and appreciated. Based on the global bestseller by Patrick Suskind, the series shifts the action to the modern day and uses the book's central idea of manipulating people through scent.
The story centres around a group of friends from boarding school who are investigated in relation to the murder of a singer, whose scent glands have been excised from her body. The series explores the unhealthy behaviours of the characters, who are described as "pretty awful individuals" and "dysfunctional".
One reviewer describes the series as "a Freudian guide to murder", highlighting the sexualised and convoluted nature of the narrative. The show delves into human psychology and the desire to be loved, which may contribute to the dark and unhealthy behaviours on display.
The series also explores the theme of scent and its impact on people's perceptions. One character, Grenouille, discovers that he lacks any personal scent, which he believes makes him seem strange or disturbing to others. This lack of scent may contribute to the dark and sexualised nature of the show, as Grenouille attempts to compensate for this perceived deficiency through extreme and unhealthy behaviours.
The show's cinematography and acting have been praised, with one reviewer noting that the dismal winter surroundings add to the feeling of doom that enhances the storyline. However, another reviewer warns that the series is not for the faint-hearted due to its dark and sexualised content.
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Frequently asked questions
The show Perfume is a German crime drama thriller about a group of friends who attended boarding school and are probed by detectives when a singer—who was also a former classmate—is found murdered with her scent glands excised from her body. The series explores the sensation of scent and human psychology.
Yes, the show is based on the book of the same name by Patrick Suskind.
The show explores the manipulation of people through scent and the desire to be loved and appreciated.
One review describes the show as dark and in some moments even repulsive, so I would say it's not for the faint-hearted. Another review says that "the acting is superb and for once the actors chosen to represent the adult characters actually resemble them which strengthens the impact of the story line."











































