A Horrible Woman

Marie moves in with Rasmus and immediately starts shaping his life. She redecorates the apartment, sells his CDs, and writes his daily schedule on the kitchen whiteboard for her to see. The naive Rasmus tolerates it, fearing confrontation but feeling his autonomy slipping away.

The couple's routine becomes a visible ritual as Marie writes the day's plan on the kitchen whiteboard. She uses it to control who does what and when, leaving little room for spontaneous decisions. Rasmus begins to realize his life is increasingly choreographed.

Marie pressures Rasmus to part with his CDs, treating his music collection as something she can rearrange or discard. The act signals a deeper hit to his identity and personal tastes. Rasmus reluctantly goes along, unsure how to push back.

When Rasmus objects, Marie gaslights him, twisting the situation to make him doubt his own feelings and actions. She maintains control by emotional manipulation, keeping him compliant. The tension quietly builds beneath their surface.

At a museum, Marie criticizes Rasmus's passive, compliant nature, cutting him down and triggering an emotional outbreak. He storms off in a rare burst of anger, trying to reclaim a shred of autonomy. The public confrontation starkly reveals their power imbalance.

Outside the museum, Rasmus watches Marie flirting with her former classmate Jonathan. The image underlines Marie's ongoing flirtations and hints at the instability of their relationship. The moment foreshadows an invitation that will test them further.

Jonathan invites them to an art exhibition later that evening with other former classmates, and Marie accepts. The plan promises social reinforcement but also sets up potential improprieties. Rasmus is initially uncomfortable yet curious about this evolving social circle.

At the art exhibition, Rasmus feels out of place at first but soon builds rapport with Jonathan, sharing laughs. Marie grows visibly annoyed as the two men joke together. She abruptly leaves, signaling a shift in the balance of power.

The couple returns home and Marie harshly insults various aspects of Rasmus's personality, insisting it would be better if he became a completely different person. The attack erodes any residual confidence and deepens his sense of dependence. Rasmus endures the humiliation, uncertain how to respond.

Months later, Rasmus is living alone again and lining up a year-long trip to Argentina when Marie arrives under the ruse of collecting a painting. She tearfully admits she misses him, and they kiss, reigniting their complicated relationship. For a second time, Marie breaks the fourth wall with a sly grin to the audience.

Further into the future, Marie is heavily pregnant as friends throw a baby shower at the couple's apartment. Her decorations are back in place and she resumes bossing around a deflated Rasmus. He steps outside to scream to himself before re-entering the party, overwhelmed by the dynamic.