The Exception

During the chaos of World War II, Wehrmacht Captain Brandt is assigned to oversee the protection of ex-German Emperor Wilhelm II, who resides at Huis Doorn in the Netherlands. His mission is to ensure the former Kaiser’s safety amid fears of assassination attempts by Allied spies.

Despite receiving strict orders from Colonel von Ilsemann to keep distance from the female staff, Brandt finds himself irresistibly drawn to Mieke de Jong, a maid at the residence. Their heated affair quickly develops, altering the dynamics of Brandt's duties.

In a moment of vulnerability, Mieke reveals to Brandt that she is of Jewish heritage, which places her in grave danger during the Nazi regime. Brandt coldly advises her to keep this secret hidden, reflecting the chilling reality of their time.

Brandt receives a warning from Gestapo Inspector Dietrich about the presence of a British secret agent nearby. Under pressure, Brandt must uncover who among the ex-Kaiser’s staff could be a spy, leading to heightened paranoia within the household.

As the visit of Himmler, the fearsome Reichsführer-SS, approaches, tension escalates within the compound. Brandt begins to suspect that Mieke is involved in something dangerous when he catches the scent of gun oil coming from her quarters.

Brandt overhears Mieke discussing plans to assassinate Himmler with a village pastor, driven by a personal vendetta stemming from the loss of her father and husband to the SS. This revelation complicates Brandt's feelings and obligations.

Under the brutal hands of the SS, the pastor is tortured to extract information about Mieke’s potential plans. This desperate act showcases the ruthless lengths to which the regime will go, creating an impending sense of dread for everyone involved.

Wilhelm's wife, Hermine, uncovers the affair between Brandt and Mieke. Rather than condemning them, Wilhelm, reflecting on his own past, chooses to grant leniency, urging them to maintain discretion and navigate the precarious situation carefully.

As Himmler prepares to visit, Brandt searches Mieke's room, uncovering the full scope of the danger she is in. Despite pleading with her to escape, Mieke, emboldened by her convictions, chooses to stay, leading Brandt to form a daring escape plan.

During a tense moment, Himmler delivers an invitation from Hitler to Wilhelm, allowing him a chance to reclaim his throne. Amidst the ambition swirling within the room, Wilhelm is haunted by Himmler's prior remarks about the extermination of disabled children, bringing forward moral questions of loyalty and power.

Brandt is faced with a profound internal conflict regarding his loyalties and duty as the political climate intensifies. A conversation with von Ilsemann forces him to confront the reality of his country’s existence and his role in the unfolding events.

Mieke presents Wilhelm with a chance at asylum, supposedly facilitated by Winston Churchill. The pressure mounts as Wilhelm grapples with accepting his dethronement, while Mieke's hope becomes a flickering lifeline amid turmoil.

As the Gestapo closes in, Brandt executes a risky escape plan under the guise of a heart attack. They flee in a van, but Mieke, nearly succumbing to despair, contemplates suicide, putting their escape on a precarious edge.

In a heartrending moment, Brandt proposes to Mieke just before they part ways, affirming their bond amidst chaos. Mieke, realizing the weight of their situation, accepts, marking a poignant farewell filled with unspoken promises.

Time passes, and Brandt receives a Nietzsche book accompanied by a note from Mieke revealing a London address, indicating her survival. Meanwhile, in London, Mieke prepares to meet Churchill, touching her abdomen, hinting at her pregnancy with Brandt’s child, igniting a glimmer of hope.