The Alzheimer Case (De Zaak Alzheimer) — 2003 Belgian crime film

Plot and central themes

The narrative follows two intertwining strands: an experienced assassin whose growing cognitive decline complicates a final assignment, and a determined detective tracing a series of linked murders. The film uses the character's Alzheimer-like symptoms as a dramatic device to examine memory, identity and moral ambiguity in a world shaped by organized crime and institutional corruption.

Production and cast

Produced in the Flemish part of Belgium, the film is in Dutch (Flemish) and reflects the regional crime-thriller tradition. It features noted Belgian actors including Jan Decleir in the central role and Koen De Bouw among the principal cast. Director Erik Van Looy applied a compact, atmospheric visual style and a measured pace to heighten suspense while keeping focus on character psychology.

Reception and legacy

Critics highlighted strong performances and the effective use of memory loss as a storytelling element. The picture found both national success and international interest, helping draw attention to contemporary Flemish cinema. It is often cited alongside other successful Belgian crime films of the early 2000s.

Notable facts and distinctions

• The film is adapted from a crime novel by Jef Geeraerts, a prolific Belgian author known for gritty fiction.
• Its treatment of dementia-like symptoms as part of a thriller plot distinguishes it from more conventional procedural dramas.
• Erik Van Looy later became known for other commercially successful Belgian films, reinforcing his profile in European genre cinema.