In a Better World

The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting present-day social tensions, humanitarian issues, and family dynamics. The narrative juxtaposes a stable home life with the volatile environment of a refugee crisis. The period emphasizes modern ethical dilemmas rather than historical events.

The story shifts between a quiet Danish home and a crowded Sudanese refugee camp. It contrasts domestic life with a humanitarian crisis, highlighting how global conflicts intrude on everyday existence. The setting underscores the moral stakes of the characters' decisions in both worlds.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Anton’s medical duty clashes with his personal code when he treats a violent warlord in the Sudan camp. He must weigh life-saving ethics against potential harm to himself, his colleagues, and his family. The film presents choices as shades of gray rather than clear right or wrong. The consequences ripple through patients, coworkers, and loved ones in unexpected ways.

🔪 Violence & Vengeance

Violence cascades from war and retaliation to domestic plans for revenge, showing how anger fuels destructive acts. The bomb plot and the warlord’s brutal treatment illustrate how retaliation can escalate beyond control. Characters confront the heavy costs of taking justice into their own hands. The narrative asks whether there can be true closure after acts of violence.

👪 Family & Reconciliation

Arduous marital strain and parental pressures drive the domestic storyline, revealing how secrets and betrayals fracture trust. Elias’ vulnerable position at school, and Christian’s influence, pull families toward confrontation and, potentially, forgiveness. The arc culminates in fragile moments of reconciliation, showing that repair is possible but not simple. The film treats family resolution as a hard-won process rather than a neat ending.

🕊️ Mercy & Empathy

Mercy is tested as characters navigate mercy toward others and mercy toward themselves. Anton’s restraint toward the warlord contrasts with the community’s own instinct for retribution, highlighting empathy’s limits. Christian’s moral awakening and the possibility of reconciliation point to healing, even amid tragedy. The story suggests that empathy can guide difficult choices, though it does not erase consequences.