Lilya 4-Ever

The film begins with a mysterious figure racing towards a motorway bridge, setting a somber tone. This leads us to the introduction of Lilya Michailova, a young girl who is haunted by a brutal past, giving insight into her troubled life.

Lilya lives with her mother in a rundown apartment in a former Soviet republic. Her mother reveals plans to move to the United States with her new boyfriend and subsequently abandons Lilya with her aunt, who takes over their home, which forces Lilya into a cramped, uncomfortable living situation.

Lilya faces ongoing humiliations and tragedies that worsen her already dire situation. When her friend Natasha suggests entering prostitution, Lilya bravely refuses, holding onto the hope of a better life despite her circumstances.

After her refusal, Natasha claims to possess money that supposedly belongs to Lilya. This claim devastates Lilya's reputation among her peers, leading to an escalation of her suffering and ultimately resulting in her being gang-raped by acquaintances.

Faced with the weight of her past and the shame brought upon her, Lilya is driven to a point of desperation. This culminates in her tragic decision to enter prostitution as a means of survival in her cruel reality.

Amid her struggles, Lilya forges a bond with Volodya, a young boy who suffers abuse from his alcoholic father. In a moment of kindness amidst her desolation, she gifts him a basketball, only for it to be destroyed by his father, deepening her understanding of pain.

Lilya encounters Andrei, a charming young man who offers her hope of a better future in Sweden. His persuasive charm convinces her to escape her grim reality, igniting her dreams for a happier life.

Upon arriving in Sweden, Lilya's dreams are shattered when she meets Witek, a predatory pimp. He confines her in a vacant apartment, abusing her and revealing the treacherous path that lies ahead.

Devastated by separation from Lilya, Volodya succumbs to despair and takes his own life. In a surreal turn, he becomes an angel and watches over Lilya, sharing his otherworldly experiences while lamenting his untimely death.

On Christmas, Volodya, now an angel, takes Lilya to the rooftop of their former home. He presents her with the world as a gift, but Lilya, weary and disheartened, rejects it, expressing her view of the world as cold and uninviting.

Lilya's suffering reaches a peak during a violent encounter with Witek, where she attempts to escape but is brutally beaten. This moment of violence escalates her desperation and sets the stage for her ultimate decision.

Finally seizing a fleeting opportunity, Lilya escapes through an unlocked door during a moment of vulnerability. Fearing the police, whom she believes work for Witek, she runs through the streets of Malmö towards a bridge she remembers.

At the same bridge that opened the film, Lilya faces her despair. Ignoring Volodya's pleas to reconsider, she takes a heart-wrenching leap to her death, marking the culmination of her tragic journey.

In the aftermath of Lilya's leap, the film presents two diverging paths. In one path, she is sent back in time to reject Andrei's offer, envisioning a happier future with Volodya.

The poignant conclusion reveals Lilya and Volodya as angels, playing basketball joyfully on a rooftop. This scene symbolizes their eternal bond, freedom from suffering, and the hope that lies beyond the harsh realities they faced in life.