If you follow international cinema at all, you've almost certainly heard about Toni Erdmann by now. The third feature by Maren Ade, who we last saw with the gripping relationship drama Everyone Else, has been a favorite at several film festivals now, including Cannes, Telluride, Toronto, and New York. The story is deceptively simple: an eccentric father (Peter Simonischek) surprises his workaholic daughter (Sandra Hüller) with an extended visit, wherein he segues into his alter ego, the titular caricature. From there, however, Ade finds quite a lot of stretches of comic wonder and extensive insight into the complexities of not only men and women, but of familial connection and the identities that women are often forced to create in the business world.

Toni Erdmann confirms Ade's reputation as on of the most distinct voices in modern German cinema, as well as a master of volcanic comedic melodramas with a realistic touch. You can take a look at the latest trailer right below.

Toni Erdmann will hit limited theaters on December 25th from Sony Pictures Classics.

Here's the new trailer for Toni Erdmann:

Here's the official synopsis for Toni Erdmann:

Winfried doesn’t see much of his working daughter Ines. The suddenly student-less music teacher decides to surprise her with a visit after the death of his old dog. It’s an awkward move because serious career woman Ines is working on an important project as a corporate strategist in Bucharest. The geographical change doesn’t help the two to see more eye to eye. Practical joker Winfried loves to annoy his daughter with corny pranks. What’s worse are his little jabs at her routine lifestyle of long meetings, hotel bars and performance reports. Father and daughter reach an impasse, and Winfried agrees to return home to Germany.

 

Enter flashy Toni Erdmann: Winfried’s smooth-talking alter ego. Disguised in a tacky suit, weird wig and even weirder fake teeth, Toni barges into Ines’ professional life, claiming to be her CEO’s life coach. As Toni, Winfried is bolder and doesn’t hold back, but Ines meets the challenge. The harder they push, the closer they become. In all the madness, Ines begins to understand that her eccentric father might deserve some place in her life after all..