Sacrifice

An American social psychologist living in Berlin after a separation from his wife in California. He teaches at a local college and writes about cults, shaping his skepticism about group dynamics. His commitment to Mazzy drives his actions and his curiosity about the cult's workings makes him a target for manipulation. He becomes entangled in a complicated dynamic with Nina, challenging his beliefs about community and trust.

Ben's 16-year-old daughter who comes to Berlin for the semester. She seeks belonging and new experiences, forming bonds with Martin and navigating a dangerous undercurrent in the city. Her interactions with the group test her resilience, exposing her to manipulation, drugs, and initiation that threaten her safety. The story culminates in her rescue at the lakeside and a confrontation with her father.

The enigmatic cult leader who uses therapy-like group dynamics and public protests to recruit and control followers. She orchestrates initiation rites and the mass suicide plan, demanding unwavering loyalty from her members. Her charisma hides a ruthless willingness to sacrifice individuals for the greater good of the group. She remains the mastermind behind the center’s unraveling.

A forensic detective who becomes entangled in the cult's operations and appears to be a colleague to Ben, but is ultimately loyal to Hilma. She uses her position to navigate the investigation while concealing her true allegiance. Her actions illustrate how indoctrination can corrupt judgment and blur professional boundaries. Her ultimate role reveals the depth of the group's control.

A young man drawn to environmental activism who recruits others into Hilma's circle. He has a troubled backstory involving his grandmother and uses the group to cope with that loss. He oscillates between protector and facilitator of harm, even stabbing a man during a club incident. He dies at the end after returning to his grandmother's corpse and taking cyanide.

Ben's colleague who helps monitor the situation and informs him of Mazzy's disappearance. He coordinates with authorities and the people around Mazzy in the search for her. His role is to push the investigation forward and provide support as the situation escalates.

Max's teenage daughter who is Mazzy's friend and provides a crucial, though often peripheral, perspective on the group dynamics. She witnesses some of the events at Max's house and acts as a link to the social circle surrounding Mazzy. Her presence hints at the broader impact of the cult on ordinary families.

A young recruit who becomes a central figure in the revelations about the cult. She is revealed to be the woman Ben had interviewed through a door and the lake suicide victim, illustrating how the group exploits individuals' identities. Her presence underscores the personal cost of Hilma's manipulation.