The Golden Glove (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Fritz develops a disturbing fixation on Petra after spotting her in 1974 while she's hanging out with her classmate Willi. Petra represents an innocent, vulnerable target that contrasts with the prostitutes he frequents. His obsession intensifies because she embodies the idealized, unattainable object of his twisted fantasies, combining sexual desire with the power imbalance he seeks.

• Fritz Honka
• Petra Schulz
• obsession
• schoolgirl
• fixation

After dismembering Gertraud Bräuer's body in 1970, Fritz hides parts in a suitcase and conceals others within a compartment in his wall. When police discover the suitcase, they cannot link it to Fritz due to lack of evidence and witnesses. His status as a night watchman and his unremarkable social presence allow him to evade suspicion despite committing the crime in his own apartment.

• Gertraud Bräuer
• murder
• dismemberment
• police investigation
• evidence

Fritz brings three intoxicated women, Inge, Herta, and Anna, home from The Golden Glove pub after Gerda leaves. While Inge manages to escape his advances, Anna becomes trapped and cannot flee. Fritz kills and dismembers her, continuing the pattern he established with Gertraud. The combination of alcohol, vulnerability of the women, and his inability to control them triggers his violent impulses.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Fritz's rage after Gerda reveals estrangement from Rosi shows his violent reactions to rejection.

• Anna
• Golden Glove
• murder
• dismemberment
• intoxication

After quitting drinking and taking a job as a watchman, Fritz becomes infatuated with cleaner Helga Denningsen. He discovers she is married to Erich, an unemployed man who depends entirely on her. Despite this, Fritz invites her for drinks and, overwhelmed by his desires, attempts to assault her during their next meeting. Helga manages to escape, foiling his attack. His pattern of targeting vulnerable women continues even in his new workplace.

• Helga Denningsen
• assault
• office
• Erich
• attack

When Willi convinces Petra to visit The Golden Glove, an embarrassing incident leads Willi to lock himself in a bathroom stall, leaving Petra alone. Fritz notices and follows her. Petra ends up at Fritz's apartment where, during his violent actions, a fire breaks out. Firefighters arrive to extinguish the blaze and discover the decomposing corpses hidden within the apartment. This accidental discovery leads to Fritz's immediate arrest.

• arrest
• fire
• Petra
• discovery
• corpses
• police

Fritz deliberately seeks out women who are socially marginalized, homeless women like Gerda Voss and prostitutes, because they are vulnerable, unlikely to be missed immediately, and often have no one to advocate for them. He exploits their desperate situations, offering shelter or money in exchange for sex, which gives him a sense of power and control. This pattern reflects his predatory nature and his ability to manipulate those with no support system.

• prostitutes
• homeless women
• vulnerable
• targeting
• exploitation

Fritz brings prostitute Frida to his apartment, but during their encounter, she mocks him for his impotence. This mockery triggers a violent rage in Fritz, leading him to strangle and dismember her. The need to assert dominance and punish any perceived humiliation drives his violence. Earlier rejections and his fragile ego, shown when he injured himself during a rage episode, establish this pattern of explosive reactions to perceived emasculation.

Foreshadowing: Fritz shattered a glass and injured himself during a rage episode after Gerda disappointed him, showing his violent response to rejection.

• Frida
• mockery
• impotence
• strangulation
• murder

Willi convinces Petra to visit The Golden Glove, but when an embarrassing incident occurs involving an older man, Willi abandons her by locking himself in a bathroom stall. Petra is left alone and vulnerable in the dangerous pub environment. Fritz notices her and follows her, leading to the climax where fire engulfs his apartment and the bodies are discovered.

• Petra Schulz
• Golden Glove
• Willi
• abandonment
• danger

Fritz dismembers his victims' bodies, Gertraud Bräuer, Anna, Frida, and Ruth, as a method to dispose of evidence and extend his ability to keep them. He hides body parts in a suitcase and within compartments in his walls, suggesting a need to maintain control over his victims even after death. This ritualistic behavior reflects his psychological depravity and his methodical approach to avoiding detection.

• dismemberment
• body parts
• evidence
• suitcase
• concealment

Fritz brings Gerda Voss, a homeless woman, home from The Golden Glove with an initial stipulation for sex. He then offers her a place to stay in exchange for sex, housework, and a promise to introduce him to her daughter Rosi. Fritz uses this arrangement to fulfill his desire for domestic normalcy while also manipulating Gerda's desperate situation. When Gerda finally leaves with an evangelist for rehabilitation, Fritz's control over her ends.

• Gerda Voss
• Rosi
• apartment
• arrangement
• manipulation