In a Better World

Anton, a devoted Swedish doctor, finds himself dividing his time between Denmark and a challenging role in a Sudanese refugee camp. His dedication is tested as he copes with the emotional toll of treating trauma victims, especially women suffering due to the chaos unleashed by a warlord.

Back in Denmark, Anton struggles with the estrangement from his wife Marianne. Their marriage has been heavily strained due to Anton's affair, leading to ongoing tension as they try to co-parent their two young sons amidst their personal challenges.

Christian moves to Denmark with his father Claus after losing his mother to cancer. He struggles with profound grief and anger towards Claus, believing that his father had ulterior motives regarding her care during her illness.

Elias, Anton's 12-year-old son, faces bullying at school, feeling isolated and powerless. This escalates until his new friend Christian intervenes violently, confronting the bully with a knife that he later gifts to Elias, deepening their bond and complicating their innocence.

During a routine outing, Anton intervenes when his younger son gets into a scuffle at a playground. This leads to a confrontation where the other child's father attacks Anton, highlighting issues of xenophobia and raising the stakes of familial tensions.

Attempting to resolve the conflict, Anton visits the mechanic's workplace with his children and Christian. In a humiliating encounter, the mechanic assaults Anton, further emphasizing Anton's struggle to stand up for himself and his family in a hostile environment.

In Sudan, Anton's ethical dilemmas peak when a sadistic warlord seeks medical attention at his clinic. Despite his disgust, Anton feels compelled to treat him under strict conditions, underscoring the immense moral conflicts he faces as a physician in a war-torn setting.

As the warlord shows cruel indifference towards his victims, Anton finally reaches his breaking point. He forcibly expels the warlord from the clinic, leading to his brutal death at the hands of the locals, dramatically altering Anton's understanding of justice.

Back in Denmark, Christian and Elias devise a plan to retaliate against the mechanic by building a bomb to destroy his car. They carefully choose a Sunday morning in hopes of minimizing injuries, revealing their impulsiveness and the deep emotional scars they carry.

Elias sacrifices his safety when he leaves his hiding spot to warn two joggers of the impending explosion. Unfortunately, he is knocked unconscious in the process, inadvertently saving lives but landing himself in serious danger.

Following the incident with Elias, Christian is subjected to intense police questioning. The situation escalates as Elias's condition is revealed, and the emotional fallout deepens with Marianne's vehemence directed at Christian, who feels despair at the unfolding tragedy.

Overcome with guilt, Christian contemplates taking his own life atop a silo. However, Anton intervenes just in time, rescuing him from his darkest moment and initiating a healing journey for both their families.

Elias survives his injuries from the explosion and is hospitalized. His recovery serves as a pivotal point of reconciliation, allowing Christian to visit him and reestablish their friendship, which had been strained by their earlier actions.

With Elias recovering, both Christian and Anton experience personal growth. Christian begins to mend his relationship with his father Claus, while Anton and Marianne explore the possibility of rekindling their marriage, experiencing renewed intimacy.

As the film concludes, the characters find themselves on paths toward healing. Christian's budding friendship with Elias, coupled with Anton and Marianne's efforts to reconnect, signals hope amidst the earlier turmoil and complexities of their lives.