Matthias Brandt as Magnus A. Cramer in “King of Stonks” at a pool party.
(Photo: Netflix)
Dusseldorf Felix Armand is arrested at the end of the first episode. Should it have been with one of the two main characters? Not at all, so much has already been revealed. The first of six episodes of the Netflix series “King of Stonks” sets highlights and is only the beginning of a real firework of satirical skill.
The series was inspired by the Wirecard scandal. It was penned by the producers of the Bildundtonfabrik (btf), Philipp Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann. “We were less concerned with the exact facts than with the psychology of the characters,” Käßbohrer told Handelsblatt. “This approach,” adds Murmann, “also freed us because new facts constantly came to light in the process of creating the series. We couldn’t have stuck to that at all.”
In the series, the story goes like this: as heads of the fintech company Cablecash, the main characters Magnus A. Cramer and Felix Armand put up the largest IPO in German history, but then quickly realize that they cannot meet the demands and expectations. They invent customers, investors, balance sheets, falsify almost everything that is possible and necessary to keep the bubble from bursting.
Investors from the porn industry, the Italian mafia and the Austrian secret service get in their way. It also becomes wonderfully absurd when her noble employee named “Thai-Klaus” enters the scene.
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In general, there is never any work in this company. At least you don’t see any of it. There is always a party going on here – in the office, in the garden or at the pool party.
Director Jan Bonny’s “King of Stonks” is superbly implemented, superbly played by Thomas Schubert in the role of COO Felix Armand and an outstanding Matthias Brandt as CEO Magnus A. Cramer.
Real CEOs for inspiration
The series takes place in Düsseldorf. Where people like to show what they have – or pretend to have. Above all, Cramer’s megalomania increases immeasurably. Equipped with an oversized flashing white toothed bar and an even bigger ego, he delivers the show. Whether in front of his own employees or at the Global Economic Forum in Geneva: Cramer hoots, grunts and even farts.
Yes, this series is also vulgar. Here they flatulate, pee and masturbate as much as they can – even behind the wheel.
The producers are convinced that this is actually the case in the male-dominated executive floors here, just not quite as obviously. “And then the guys are really happy that the public doesn’t notice,” says Käßbohrer. Satire seems to be a tried and tested means of giving viewers such insights.
“As soon as people get power,” says Käßbohrer, “they think they can do whatever they want.” In their research on the series, Murmann and he actually studied CEOs. “There are many CEOs in the German economy that we have taken as inspiration,” says Murmann. “There are spectacular narcissists in all areas.”
These observations culminate in Cramer. One of the absolute highlights of the series is his appearance at the Düsseldorf Carnival. At the annual Cable Car Rose Monday party, Cramer dresses up as, how could it be otherwise, Prince Carnival.
King of Stonks
Airs on: Netflix
6 episodes of 45 minutes each
To his wife, who is increasingly annoyed by his behavior, he replies, waving the pheasant feathers on his cap: “It’s not like I’m some crazy sun king who has lost all connection to reality.”
Cramer is supported by the staid Felix Armand, the thinker in the company. On stage, he whispers the right words to Cramer over a button in his ear, he orchestrates the scams, but also gets entangled in power games with him. They can’t be with each other, but they can’t be without each other either.
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The title of the series, Stonks, testifies to creativity and subtlety in two senses. On the one hand, the made-up word stands for the English term “stocks” in financial circles – and with its deliberately wrong spelling for financial mistakes.
On the other hand, it is no coincidence that Stonks is also reminiscent of “Schtonk”, one of the best-known fraud stories in German film. The producers also looked at it in preparation for the series, they say.
“King of Stonks” is a fast-paced series, regularly interrupted by a narrator who provides background information about the protagonists and events. The cliffhanger at the end of the sixth episode gives hope for a second season – and some CEOs may also tremble.
More: “Power for All”: How everyone can gain – and maintain – power