The Worst Person in the World

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Based on 1 review
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The Worst Person in the World
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Worst Person in the World is an explicit Norwegian comedy drama (with English subtitles) that brilliantly bends the rules of the genre in a smart, original way. The movie follows the life of twentysomething Julie (Renate Reinsve) as she navigates her way through life and various relationships. It deals with adult themes and sexual acts -- both intercourse and oral sex -- are portrayed on-screen, including full-frontal nudity. Occasional strong language includes "f--k," and "s--t," while sex is discussed in graphic detail. A character is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and there are scenes involving medical equipment. Alcohol is consumed regularly and there is an extended hallucination following the consumption of magic mushrooms. The film deals with complex and existential issues that, together with the adult themes, make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
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What's the Story?
In THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, twentysomething Julie (Renate Reinsve) explores different careers paths and relationships in search of meaning, self-knowledge, and happiness in life.
Is It Any Good?
Occasionally a film comes along that captures hearts and minds in a fresh, honest way, that far surpasses expectations. The Worst Person in the World is just such a movie, having already won an array of awards and two Oscar nominations. Why the big splash for a seemingly breezy Norwegian drama? It's the film's ability to get to some kind of universal truth about the very essence of being. Whether viewers are in their 20s, or have a fading memory of that transitional time, it's a film that invites almost everyone to relate and connect in an intimate way. The main character, Julie, is that rare complex female, who is treated here as a being in her own right, rather than simply as a romantic lead. She is searching for her own truth and she doesn't yet have the answers, but never is she portrayed as broken or wrong. Reinsve is likable yet refreshingly unapologetic. She can be kind and fun, selfish, and thoughtless -- all aspects of her personality that are accepted, rather than judged.
There are some standout moments, including Julie spending an entire night with a man she just met, acknowledging an intense connection, finding an emotional intimacy, yet both maintaining a boundary that avoids cheating on their existing partners. Another sees the world around Julie pause as she runs through the streets to find the same man, a whimsical stolen moment where nothing else exists. A third-person voiceover gives the feel of a modern fairytale in places, though you won't find any moral scare-tactics here. Just a celebration of life and an acceptance of uncertainty as something infinitely more freeing than it could ever be scary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Worst Person in the World portrayed sex. Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How were drinking, drug use, and smoking portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize it?
Julie is a strong, complex female lead. How did she defy some of the expectations put upon her from the outside world? Did this remind you of any other films or TV shows?
The movie plays with genre conventions. Can you think of ways in which it fits into or rejects certain romcom cliches?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 4, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: March 15, 2022
- Cast: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum
- Director: Joachim Trier
- Studio: Neon
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity
- Run time: 128 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and some language
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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