Mafia war drama: Lukas Geier between trust and betrayal!

Mafia war drama: Lukas Geier between trust and betrayal!

The exciting world of crime thrillers is very busy today, because on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, the eagerly awaited film “The Vulture – Friend or Foe” will be broadcast on ZDF. The story about the former police officer Lukas Geier and the dangerous mafia dropout Roland Büttner promises a gripping mix of trust, betrayal and fast-paced twists and turns. The film is already available in the media library and is already captivating many viewers.

Lukas Geier, played by Philipp Hochmair, is the protagonist who has to use his knowledge to create new identities. He used to work for the police force, but gave up his job years ago. His frontal attack on a mafia threat begins when he is entrusted by Annemarie Pabst, the former president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, with the task of protecting the mafia killer Büttner, played by Mark Waschke. Büttner is not only on the Calabrian Mafia's death list, but also brings with him the ominous realization that there is a mole in the State Criminal Police Office who could possibly endanger his escape.

The race against time

The plot develops into a race against time, with Geier being supported by two policewomen, Franziska Conte and Rebecca Wohlfahrt. Together they pick Büttner up at the train station and ask him tricky questions about his trustworthiness. The creeping mistrust hovers in the air, because Büttner could also have other secret intentions. Since the dangers from the 'Ndrangheta are omnipresent, the entire plan becomes a dangerous game with an uncertain outcome.

Interesting facets of the story are the numerous conflicts that Geier notices around him. His girlfriend Lara is under pressure because a mysterious businessman, potential buyer of a hotel, is interfering in her business. In the background, a brutal power game rages between Büttner and his former mafia boss Angelo Marienthal, played by Wotan Wilke Möhring, who investigates the dangerousness of the decision Büttner made.

Mafia reality in Germany

The film's theme not only takes up the exciting plot, but also raises questions about the reality of the mafia. In Germany, the threat from the Italian mafia, especially the 'Ndrangheta, is increasing sharply. According to reports from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the number of members of the Mafia in Germany is continuously growing. In 2022 there were already 1,003 members, which is twice as many as ten years ago. This organization operates primarily in secret and tries to bring its structures into legal economic sectors. In recent decades, the mafia has specifically tried to integrate itself into German society and is increasingly infiltrating companies to demand protection money.

The advertising effect of films about the mafia often creates a romanticized view, while the dangers posed by these criminals are often underestimated in society. With “The Vulture – Friend or Foe” this reality is brought to light in a captivating and at the same time entertaining way. It remains to be seen whether the audience is ready to face this mysterious topic, but one thing is certain: excitement is guaranteed!

If you would like to find out more about the background of the film and the actual conditions in crime, you can tune in directly to ZDF or use the media library so as not to miss an exciting twist. “The Vulture” is an example of how life is sometimes even more exciting than fiction!

Further information about the cast and crew, including director Florian Baxmeyer and screenwriter Dirk Eisfeld, can also be found in the detailed works on ZDF and on other platforms.