Breakout German movies are a relative rarity -- we can't think of one since Run Lola Run and that was in 1998. The Lives of Others may be the next to do big box office in the U.S.

Written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, it's the story of a popular writer, his actress girlfriend, and how the Stasi created a permafrost of fear in 1980s East Germany. It may sound grim, and at times it is, but it plays like a thriller and you'll leave the movie theater exhilarated, not bummed out.

The movie has been nominated for an Academy Award in the best foreign language film category, won the L.A. Film Critics award for best foreign film, and earned seven Lolas (Germany's Oscars). Watch the trailer here.