
Movie
23
The movie's plot is based on the true story of a group of young computer hackers from Hannover, Germany. In the late 1980s the orphaned Karl Koch invests his heritage in a flat and a home computer. At first he dials up to bulletin boards to discuss conspiracy theories inspired by his favorite novel, R.A. Wilson's "Illuminatus", but soon he and his friend David start breaking into government and military computers. Pepe, one of Karl's rather criminal acquaintances senses that there is money in computer cracking - he travels to east Berlin and tries to contact the KGB.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Sep 4, 2026
23 opened in theaters January 14, 1999. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
The movie's plot is based on the true story of a group of young computer hackers from Hannover, Germany. In the late 1980s the orphaned Karl Koch invests his heritage in a flat and a home computer. At first he dials up to bulletin boards to discuss conspiracy theories inspired by his favorite novel, R.A. Wilson's "Illuminatus", but soon he and his friend David start breaking into government and military computers. Pepe, one of Karl's rather criminal acquaintances senses that there is money in computer cracking - he travels to east Berlin and tries to contact the KGB.
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More about 23
Cast
August DiehlKarl Koch
Fabian BuschDavid
Jan-Gregor KrempLupo
Burghart KlaußnerWeber
Stephan KampwirthJochen Maiwald
Zbigniew ZamachowskiSergej
Peter FitzBrücknerCredits
- Directed by
- Hans-Christian Schmid
- Written by
- Hans-Christian Schmid, Michael Gutmann
Production details
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- German
Production
- Claussen+Wöbke FilmproduktionGermany





