Faithless

Faithless

Year: 2000

Runtime: 154 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Liv Ullmann

RomanceDramaMoving relationship storiesPowerful stories of heartbreak and sufferingPassion and romance

Written by Ingmar Bergman, this personal drama depicts actress Marianne and musician Markus whose intense affair shatters their marriage. Marianne moves in with her lover, while Markus denies her custody of their daughter. He later offers a risky solution that plunges them into deception, betrayal and ultimately tragedy.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Faithless 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!

Timeline & Setting – Faithless (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Faithless (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1990s to early 2000s

The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationships, marriage, and custody issues. The Paris affair and legal maneuvers occur against a backdrop of present-day social norms, with realistic implications for family dynamics. The timeframe supports a tone of immediacy, focusing on personal stakes rather than historical events.

Location

Marianne's home, Paris, France

The action shifts between Marianne's home, where the initial encounter hints at hidden desires, and Paris, the city of romance and betrayal where Marianne and David's affair unfolds. Paris serves as a glamorous backdrop that contrasts with the domestic setting and legal battles later in the story. The locations highlight the tension between private longing and public consequences.

🏙️ Urban 🗼 Paris

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

Main Characters – Faithless (2000)

Meet the key characters of Faithless (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bergman (Erland Josephson)

An aging director who fabricates and interrogates Marianne to shape a life story. Through his probing, the film explores how narrative manipulation and artifice can influence real relationships and betrayals. Bergman embodies distance and detachment while still driving the emotional core of the tale.

🎭 Mentor 🧠 Intellectual

Marianne (Lena Endre)

A married woman who confronts desire, loyalty, and motherhood as she engages in an affair with David. She navigates divorce pressures, custody battles, and personal guilt, revealing resilience and vulnerability beneath a composed exterior.

💔 Infidelity 🧭 Inner-conflict 🧪 Motherhood

Markus (Krister Henriksson)

Marianne's husband, an orchestra conductor whose awareness of the affair triggers a legal and emotional struggle. His actions, including contemplating divorce and seeking full custody, reveal the power dynamics at play in the marriage.

💼 Marriage ⚖️ Jealousy

David (Krister Henriksson)

Marianne's lover who initiates the affair and becomes consumed by jealousy. His desire and possessiveness drive the relationship into conflict, escalating the stakes of Marianne's personal and legal battles.

💘 Passion 🧭 Obsession

Isabelle (Michelle Gylemo)

Marianne and Markus's daughter, a focal point in the custody discussion. Her presence grounds the personal stakes of the couple's conflict and the consequences of adult decisions on a child.

👶 Daughter 🧩 Innocence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

Major Themes – Faithless (2000)

Explore the central themes of Faithless (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love Betrayal

The film probes how desire can fracture a stable marriage, pushing Marianne toward an affair that destabilizes her family. Jealousy, secrecy, and the fear of losing control drive the characters to difficult choices. The narrative treats love as both a source of meaning and a catalyst for pain.

⚖️ Power Dynamics

Marianne, Markus, and the legal system navigate a web of influence, where custody and financial concerns shape decisions more than affection. The film shows how lawyers and money can sway outcomes, testing Marianne's autonomy. The tension between personal longing and social expectations is a constant undercurrent.

🌀 Memory Illusion

Bergman, the aging director, conjures Marianne, blurring fiction and life. The boundary between story and reality becomes porous, making Marianne's experiences feel like part of a constructed narrative. This metafictional layer questions how memory and storytelling shape identity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Faithless

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

Faithless Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Faithless, 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.

Faithless Summary

Faithless Timeline

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

Faithless Timeline

Faithless Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Faithless 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.

Faithless Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Faithless

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Faithless: 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 Faithless