A White, White Day
A grieving police chief investigates the circumstances surrounding his wife's death, seeking solace and closure. As he delves deeper into the mystery of her final days, he questions her fidelity and uncovers unsettling truths. His personal quest for answers becomes increasingly intense, blurring the lines between professional duty and emotional turmoil, and threatening to unravel his life.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen A White, White Day yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
A White, White Day (2020) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of A White, White Day (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Police chief Ingimundur (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson), grappling with the loss of his wife in a tragic car accident, finds himself reluctantly attending grief counseling. Amid his emotional turmoil, he dedicates himself to renovating a farm building intended for his daughter Elín (Elma Stefania Agustsdottir) and sometimes cares for her daughter Salka (Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir).
One day, after receiving a box of his late wife’s belongings from Elín, he stumbles upon a shocking video revealing an affair she had with a man named Olgeir Olafsson (Hilmir Snær Guðnason). Consumed by rage and heartache, he begins surveilling Olgeir’s home and even becomes involved in his football club. Disaster strikes when stormy weather traps him in isolation; in a fit of unrestrained emotion during a disjointed online therapy session, Ingimundur lashes out, wrecking the room and assaulting two colleagues who attempt to intervene, ultimately locking them in cells to escape the chaos.
In a moment of desperation, he drives away Salka by cruelly insulting her and then kidnaps Olgeir, holding him at gunpoint near a freshly dug grave. Ingimundur demands clarity about the affair and seeks to understand Olgeir’s feelings towards his wife. As the confrontation escalates, Ingimundur’s fury reaches a boiling point, leading Olgeir to bolt away in fear.
The following day unfolds with more horror when Olgeir returns, stabbing Ingimundur and sending Salka into a panic. Though injured and bleeding, Ingimundur bears his granddaughter home through a blinding snowstorm, all the while expressing regret over his earlier harshness. In a poignant moment of acceptance, he finally confronts his grief and anger, experiencing a vision of his wife undressing and smiling at him as tears stream down his face, marking a significant step in his healing journey.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:51
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about obsessive grief like A White, White Day
Characters consumed by loss, blurring the lines between mourning and mania.If you appreciated the intense, slow-burning exploration of grief in A White, White Day, this thread gathers similar movies where mourning becomes an all-consuming obsession. These films are characterized by heavy emotional weight, dark tones, and characters whose search for truth threatens to destroy them.
Narrative Summary
The narrative typically follows a grieving character who, unable to process their loss, fixates on an aspect of the past—often a person or an unanswered question. Their investigation becomes an irrational obsession, driving them to commit increasingly extreme acts. The story charts their psychological unraveling as professional and personal boundaries dissolve, culminating in a confrontation that is both destructive and, sometimes, cathartic.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a specific, intense emotional journey centered on the dark side of grief. They feature similar tones (Dark, Melancholic), a slow, deliberate pacing that builds tension, and a high level of emotional intensity focused on a character's psychological collapse.
Bleak personal investigation movies like A White, White Day
Where a professional inquiry collides with a deeply personal, emotionally charged agenda.For viewers who liked the premise of A White, White Day, this collection highlights films about professionals whose official investigations become dangerously personal. These movies share a dark, tense mood, slow pacing, and explore themes of betrayal, moral ambiguity, and the high cost of uncovering the truth.
Out of Blue
2019
Stephanie Daley
2007
Lovely, Dark, and Deep
2024
Red Road
2007
A White, White Day
2020
Blade Runner 2049
2017
Lost River
2015
Nocturnal Animals
2024
The Thirteenth Tale
2013
My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To
2021
Keyhole
2012
Lone Star
1996
The Hunters
1996
The Discovery
2017
Elena
2012
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern involves a competent professional who launches an inquiry that hits too close to home, often involving the death or betrayal of a loved one. Their technical expertise is compromised by their raw emotions, leading to unethical methods, poor judgment, and a focus that becomes singularly vengeful. The investigation is less about justice and more about personal vindication, resulting in a bittersweet or bleak resolution where the truth offers little solace.
Why These Movies?
These movies are connected by a specific plot structure where a professional's investigation is corrupted by profound personal involvement. They consistently feature high tension, a dark tone, and moderate complexity, focusing on the moral and emotional collapse of a character who cannot separate their job from their trauma.
Unlock the Full Story of A White, White Day
Don't stop at just watching — explore A White, White Day in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A White, White Day is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
A White, White Day Timeline
Track the full timeline of A White, White Day with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Characters, Settings & Themes in A White, White Day
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A White, White Day. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
