Nina Hoss portrays "Barbara," who requests a departure from East Germany and subsequently finds herself assigned to a secluded countryside medical facility. Despite the kindness shown by her superior, "André" (Ronald Zehrfeld), she maintains a sense of unease about her new location. Believing that Stasi agents are everywhere and listening in on every conversation, she attempts to maintain a secret relationship with someone from West Berlin while preparing for an opportunity to flee to Denmark. Unexpectedly, she begins to feel connected to the people she is treating, particularly the fragile young "Stella" (Jasna Fritzi Bauer), who has troubles of her own. It’s possible that “Barbara” should rethink her intentions at this point, or maybe escape can't wait. The rural environment feels appropriate for a story about not only oppressive government control and interference but also individuals struggling to trust their perceptions and, increasingly, their decisions. These developing tensions become more complicated as the impact of her work affects "Barbara" and those around her. Hoss excels at subtle expressions and vocal nuances, and with thoughtful dialogue and Zehrfeld’s support, she powerfully embodies her conflicted character. The fact that much of the film occurs during nighttime hours is also beneficial, because Christian Petzold utilizes darkness, forest noises, sounds of the ocean, and a watchful community to build an effective atmosphere of threat as this plot unfolds in the 1980s—a time that seems distant now.

Source on TMDB