High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 2006 German thriller film directed by Tom Tykwer and written by Andrew Birkin, Bernd Eichinger and Tykwer. It is based on the 1985 novel Perfume by Patrick Süskind. Set in 18th century France, the film tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), an olfactory genius, and his homicidal quest for the perfect scent. The film also stars Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman and Rachel Hurd-Wood; John Hurt provides narration.