On the surface, Maren Ade’s Toni Erdmann may seem like a straightforward Hollywood comedy. A free-spirited father (Peter Simonischek) decides to pay a spontaneous visit to his overworked, uptight daughter (Sandra Hüller); in any other movie, these two would clash over a series of hilarious misunderstandings, then gradually connect as each one haltingly began to understand the other. Cue laughter, hugs, and a gentle indie-rock soundtrack; roll credits.

Except Toni Erdmann isn’t a straightforward Hollywood comedy, not by a long shot. For one thing, the movie is German, with all the deadpan Continental quirkiness and relaxed sexual attitudes that implies. For another, it’s more of a sadcom than a laugh riot—a tightly focused character piece that digs deep into the psyches of two lost souls, one of whom buries her sorrow in work while the other uses elaborate pranks as his drug of choice.

It is, in short, one of the year’s most surprising films—which is why Toni Erdmann made such a splash at this summer’s film festivals, from Cannes (where it competed for the Palme d’Or) to Telluride to Toronto. Sony Pictures Classics will distribute the film in the States starting December 25—and given its vast acclaim and status as Germany’s submission for this year’s foreign-film Academy Award, you’re certain to hear much more about this movie very soon. In the meantime, enjoy Toni Erdmann’s first trailer, premiering exclusively at vanityfair.com.