Now it would be unfair to just call this a German rip-off of Hunger Games - which in itself was ... borrowing things and themes from other stuff too (Japanese Battle Royale movie to name just one). It would also not be entirely true and accurate. Because this is just one aspect of the movie and this does not tell you to kill other people. It just puts individuals against each other to compete for spots ... society as you know it.
Yes this critisizes structures and how we perceive things, how we are put down (most of us) and so forth. Unfortunately by referencing and balancing so many things it never really manages to achieve all of the goals it sets itself too. Great cast and they all do their best to keep the cliches at a minimum ... but they are really left fighting something they cannot win. I've seen worse, but also way better things.
