De Kribbebijter: A Baron with a massive chip on his shoulder

Is De Kribbebijter worth your time today? If you like black-and-white comedies where everyone is a bit too loud and the stakes feel like they’re being played for laughs rather than actual tragedy, then yes. If you need pacing that matches modern sensibilities or you get annoyed by predictable domestic schemes, skip it.

It’s a movie that feels like it belongs in a different century, even if it was just a few decades back. The Baron is exactly the kind of person who would be miserable at a dinner party, and watching him try to sabotage his own kid is honestly just sad. But then the wife steps in, and things get a bit more interesting.

The way the house staff moves around the background of the frame feels oddly choreographed, like a stage play where people are terrified of bumping into the furniture. At one point, I swear someone is holding a tray that isn't actually holding anything at all. It’s those little moments that made me smile.

I kept thinking about Publicity Pays while watching this, mainly because both films rely so heavily on the characters being completely unable to communicate like normal human beings. It’s the same brand of chaos where one secret leads to another, and everything could be fixed if someone just sat down and talked for five minutes.

The dialogue is snappy, almost too snappy. It has that rhythm of 1930s-style banter where nobody ever pauses to take a breath. It’s impressive, sure, but it also feels a bit exhausting after the first hour.

There is a specific scene where the Baron is just pacing back and forth in his study, and the camera lingers on his shoes clicking against the floor. It goes on for way longer than it needs to. I don't know if that was a budget constraint or just a stylistic choice, but it felt like the editor just went for coffee and forgot to hit stop.

It isn't a masterpiece, but it’s got a personality. It’s not trying to be a deep dive into the soul, which is kind of refreshing. It’s just a story about a guy who needs to get over himself.

Odd notes from my notebook:

• The Baron’s mustache is a character in its own right.
• Why is the kitchen always the most dramatic room in these old movies?
• I’m still not convinced the house was actually that big, just clever set design.
• Sometimes the lighting makes everyone look like they are standing in front of a giant, glowing spotlight.

Anyway, don't overthink it. It's a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon when you don't want to watch anything too intense. Just keep your expectations mid-range and you'll be fine. ☕