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The 20s are a time of major transitions for most people. Many young people enter their 20s as fun-loving, easy-going college kids and end them with a career, loads of bills to pay, and maybe even a spouse. And The Worst Person in the World (or Verdens verste menneske) follows a young woman as she leaves her 20s, still unsure of her direction in life.
The Worst Person in the World follows Renate Reinsve’s Julie through four years of life and love as a young adult in Oslo. When she meets forty-something graphic novelist Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie), the aspiring photographer thinks she has it all figured out—even though he warns her that their age difference could prove to be a problem. Together, they laugh and argue and support each other through challenges with work and family. But eventually, Julie starts to wonder again whether she’s where she’s supposed to be.
Told through 12 chapters—plus a prologue and an epilogue—Julie’s story offers an honest look at life during that challenging transition into adulthood. From the beginning, Julie struggles to figure out who she really is. Is she supposed to be a doctor or a psychologist? Is she supposed to settle down, have kids, commit to one path? She can’t seem to decide what she should do, and she struggles with long-term commitments.
Julie may seem flaky and indecisive—and sometimes self-centered, too—but, at the same time, her story is incredibly relatable. Most of us have been there at some point—whether at 18 or 22 or even at 30, like Julie—trying to figure out which path is the right one, constantly second-guessing our decisions and worrying about committing to the wrong things. At times, it’s exhausting to watch, but it’s all a part of growing up.
There are moments in the film that will make you laugh out loud, moments that will make you hold your breath, and moments that will bring tears to your eyes. It may not be a thrilling movie—and, with its separate chapters, it doesn’t have the same flow of the usual film. But it’s well-acted and insightful.
Anyone who’s wrestled with those transitional years will understand Julie’s story. The Worst Person in the World isn’t always easy to watch, but it offers an honest depiction of those challenging years of young adulthood—of trying to find the right path in the grownup world.
Check your local listings to see whether The Worst Person in the World is playing in your area. It opens in limited theaters on February 4, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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