Directed by Joachim Tries, The Worst Person in the World is a Norwegian drama film that stars Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie and Herbert Nordrum.
We are introduced to medical student Julie (Renate Reinsve) who decides to pursue psychology but then becomes a photographer after going through her photos. While on a night out with her boyfriend, she meets comic book artist and writer Aksel (Anders Danielsem Lie) and despite being fifteen years apart in age, they begin a relationship and eventually move in together.
When Julie turns thirty, she figures that given their age gap, Aksel will want different things and breaks up with him. She then enters a relationship with Eivind (Herbert Nordrum) who she met at a wedding party that she gate-crashed and hit it off with. The two also move in together, however, several life changing events happen to Julie that will affect her future.
The film has two very strong performances from Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsem Lie. There are even two scenes that I related to, which were extremely well written and acted. The first being when Julie breaks up with Aksel; the two actors go back and forth and go through multiple emotions of sadness and anger. You can tell how difficult it is for Julie to end the relationship but also how upset Askel is when he finds out that the relationship is over. The second scene comes later in the film when Askel is being reflective and remembering the days before the internet, where you would have to go to record stores and bookstores to buy art and how collecting those items meant that he was able to live among them.
This is a film of two different halves. The first half of the film is generally more carefree while the second half of the film is a lot more dramatic and emotional. While being a drama, this film isn’t afraid to be absurd. For example, there is a scene where Julie, Eivind and their friends do magic mushrooms and what follows is a bizarre mix of animation and some horrific shots of Julie going through a body transformation. While admittedly this was strange to watch, it contained unique images for a dramatic film.
The Worst Person in the World is a daring film that may not appeal to everyone, but if you have ever thought that life is passing you by and you have achieved more by the time you hit your thirties, then this film is certainly worth your time.
The Worst Person in the World had its world premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where Renate Reinsve won the award for best actress and will open in Australian Cinemas from the 26th of December 2021.