A White, White Day

A White, White Day

Year: 2020

Runtime: 109 min

Language: Icelandic

Director: Hlynur Palmason

Echo Score: 78
Drama

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!

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Timeline – A White, White Day (2020)

Trace every key event in A White, White Day (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Accident

Ingimundur's life is forever altered when his wife tragically dies in a car accident. This event marks the beginning of his emotional turmoil and grief, heavily impacting his daily life and responsibilities.

2

Grief Counseling

Reluctantly, Ingimundur begins attending grief counseling to cope with his loss. He struggles with the sessions, filled with resentment and sorrow, but slowly realizes the need to process his feelings.

3

Renovating the Farm

Ingimundur dedicates his energy to renovating a building on a farm intended for his daughter, Elín. This project serves as a distraction from his grief and a way to channel his emotions into something tangible.

the farm
4

Discovering the Affair

After receiving a box of his late wife's belongings from Elín, Ingimundur discovers a video that reveals her affair with Olgeir Olafsson. This shocking revelation ignites feelings of betrayal, anger, and confusion within him.

5

Surveillance of Olgeir

Consumed by his emotions, Ingimundur begins surveilling Olgeir’s home, hoping to understand the man who had an intimate relationship with his wife. He integrates himself into Olgeir's football club, blurring the lines between obsession and justice.

Olgeir's home and football club
6

Isolation and Rage

A powerful storm isolates Ingimundur, exacerbating his emotional state. During a chaotic online therapy session, overwhelmed by despair, he lashes out at his colleagues, leading to an explosive confrontation.

therapy room
7

Conflict with Salka

In a moment of weakness, Ingimundur cruelly insults his granddaughter, Salka, driving her away. This action adds to his spiral into darkness, showcasing the detrimental impact of his grief on his family relationships.

8

Kidnapping Olgeir

Ingimundur kidnaps Olgeir, taking him to a secluded location near a freshly dug grave. With a gun in hand, he confronts Olgeir about the affair, seeking answers that he believes will soothe his shattered heart.

near the grave
9

The Confrontation Escalates

As tensions rise during the confrontation, Ingimundur's anger swells to a peak, causing Olgeir to panic and flee. The situation escalates from a desperate demand for clarity to a chaotic escape under life-threatening stress.

10

The Stabbing Incident

Olgeir returns unexpectedly, and in a shocking turn of events, he stabs Ingimundur in a moment of rage and desperation. This violent clash sends Salka into a panic, heightening the stakes of the already deteriorating situation.

11

Blizzard Escape

Despite his injury, Ingimundur carries his granddaughter, Salka, through a punishing snowstorm back home. In this harrowing journey, he reflects on his actions and expresses remorse for his earlier treatment of her.

in the snowstorm
12

Moment of Acceptance

In a poignant climax, Ingimundur has a vision of his deceased wife that marks a turning point in his emotional healing. As he tears up, he feels a sense of acceptance of his grief, finally beginning to let go of his pain.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:51

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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.

grievingobsessivebroodingtensevisceralmelancholicunravelingdescent

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.

tenseoppressivebleakmorally ambiguousbroodinggrief-strickenunravelingvisceral

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

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A White, White Day Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A White, White Day, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A White, White Day Summary

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.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A White, White Day

A White, White Day Spoiler-Free Summary

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A White, White Day Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A White, White Day

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