Detective Downs

Detective Downs

Year: 2013

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: Norwegian

Director: Bård Breien

CrimeComedy

Detective Robert possesses the classic look of a private investigator: his own office, a trench coat, and a hat reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart. However, he also has Down syndrome and lacks one crucial element – a case. His quiet existence is disrupted when a woman seeks his help, presenting him with a mystery that finally gives him a chance to prove himself.

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Timeline & Setting – Detective Downs (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Detective Downs (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Marihøna Downs-Syndrome Hotel, Red Line Strip Club, Rita Stjernen's House, Police Station

Marihøna is the central setting—a chaotic hotel where the main characters converge. The story also visits a neon-lit strip club and an unfinished residence belonging to the Stjernen family, acting as a hub of intrigue and danger. Nearby, the police station marks the line between order and disorder as secrets unfold.

🏨 Marihøna Hotel 🌆 Urban Nightlife 🚓 Police Station

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

Main Characters – Detective Downs (2013)

Meet the key characters of Detective Downs (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robert Bogerud

A drunk 28-year-old with his own office in the Marihøna and a detective streak. He is impulsive, emotionally volatile, and makes risky choices for connection, dragging himself and others into dangerous circumstances.

🥃 Addiction 🧭 Identity 🔎 Detective

Rita Stjernen

An older, itinerant woman who brings Robert into the Stjernen household. She becomes a love interest and manipulative presence who triggers a cascade of events around the family.

❤️ Romance 🏠 Family ties 🎭 Complex relationships

Lars Erik Stjernen

The husband in the Stjernen household—volatile, controlling, and prone to violence. His aggression creates a dangerous atmosphere and a constant threat to Robert and others.

👊 Violence 🏠 Authority 🎭 Aggression

Isabel Stjernen

Isabel is bored and provocative, later forming a complicated connection with Robert. She is aggressive and unpredictable, challenging boundaries and norms.

🔥 Seduction 🧭 Identity 🎭 Rebellion

Olav Stjernen

A key figure mentioned as having died many years earlier; his memory and legacy influence the family dynamics and detective search within the plot.

💀 Death

Eddy Bogerud

Robert’s father; a figure tied to law enforcement and the family dynamics, whose attention or disapproval shapes Robert’s choices.

👨‍👦 Family 🧭 Guidance

Elisabeth Politi

A member of the Politi family who invites Robert into a new life and holds a position of authority within the household.

🏛️ Authority 🧠 Strategy

Arne Politi

A Politi family member who interacts with Robert within the domestic circle.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family 🕵️ Mystery

Erik Politi

Another Politi family figure encountered by Robert within the domestic and investigative web of the household.

👤 Family 🔎 Investigation

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

Major Themes – Detective Downs (2013)

Explore the central themes of Detective Downs (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Criminal Investigation

The plot pivots on uncovering the truth behind Olav Stjernen’s death and the tangled motives of those in the Marihøna household. A reluctant, impulsive protagonist navigates deception, danger, and shifting loyalties while pursuing clues.

🥃 Addiction

Alcohol and self-destructive behavior drive much of the action, fueling unpredictable choices and chaotic encounters. Addiction strains relationships, complicates decisions, and frequently lands the characters in trouble or jail.

🏠 Family & Power

A volatile household frames the drama, with control rules, rivalries, and hidden agendas among Rita, Lars Erik, and Isabel. The dynamics of family loyalty and authority push Robert toward dangerous paths while shaping his sense of belonging.

🧭 Identity & Relationships

Robert’s quest for meaning plays out through romance and manipulation within a perilous environment. The boundaries between caretaker, lover, and suspect blur as he tests loyalties and redefines himself.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

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Quirky Crime Stories with Unlikely Detectives like Detective Downs

An unconventional detective navigates a tense and melancholic mystery, proving their worth.Discover movies like Detective Downs where unconventional heroes take on gritty cases. If you enjoyed the blend of personal identity and crime-solving, this thread features similar bittersweet mysteries with a strong emotional core and characters who defy expectations.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow an unconventional investigator or outsider who takes on a case that others overlook. The narrative is driven by their unique approach and emotional intuition, often uncovering truths in a world that initially underestimates them, leading to a resolution that is personally significant.

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These movies are grouped by their central premise of an unlikely hero in a crime setting, sharing a bittersweet tone, a moderate psychological intensity, and a focus on character development over pure action.

Claustrophobic Thrillers about Family Secrets like Detective Downs

A tense investigation unravels dark secrets within a confined, dysfunctional family.Explore movies similar to Detective Downs that delve into domestic drama and hidden truths. If you liked the tense atmosphere and the unraveling of family secrets within a confined setting, this thread features psychological stories with high emotional stakes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an investigator or outsider entering a closed-off family unit to solve a mystery. The conflict is primarily interpersonal, with the setting itself—often a single house or small town—becoming a character. The plot revolves around uncovering layers of deception and confronting uncomfortable truths among characters bound by blood and secrets.

Why These Movies?

These films share a focus on domestic drama, psychological tension within confined spaces, and the thematic exploration of family secrets, creating a consistent vibe of unease and emotional discovery.

Unlock the Full Story of Detective Downs

Don't stop at just watching — explore Detective Downs 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 Detective Downs is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Detective Downs Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Detective Downs, 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.

Detective Downs Summary

Detective Downs Timeline

Track the full timeline of Detective Downs with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Detective Downs Timeline

Detective Downs Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Detective Downs that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Detective Downs Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Detective Downs

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Detective Downs: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Detective Downs