Charlatan (2021) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

2021 · 118 min · Czech

Echo score 76

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Directed by

Agnieszka Holland

Starring

Barbora Milotová, Claudia Vaseková, Ivan Trojan, Jan Vlasák, Jana Olhová, Jaroslava Pokorná

In 20th century Czechoslovakia, the renowned healer Jan Mikolášek gained fame for his unique "urinary diagnosis" method, attracting celebrity clients and considerable wealth. However, his public image concealed a complex and troubling nature, where a desire to heal was intertwined with cruelty and sadism. As a show trial approaches, the future of František, Jan’s only connection to redemption, becomes precarious, forcing him to confront the conflicting forces driving his life and the consequences of his choices.