Love Belongs to Everyone

Dennis is released from prison after serving a sentence for the alleged rape of an underage girl, and his mother Rita is overjoyed at his return. The neighborhood reacts with fear and suspicion, while Barbara seems particularly unhappy about his homecoming. The family braces for the social and personal tensions that his reintegration will bring.

Shortly after returning, Dennis masturbates at a playground, an act that triggers concern from his family. Rita and André decide Dennis must be kept indoors to protect him and others. The decision marks a turning point in how the family handles his condition and public perception.

While Rita is at work, André watches over Dennis but falls asleep. Dennis slips outside to see the trains and does not return, deepening the family's anxiety. The incident intensifies the community’s suspicion and fear surrounding him.

Later that evening, the police tell Rita and André that Dennis is accused of raping a woman. The revelation shocks the family and reframes Dennis's actions as a serious criminal matter rather than a family crisis. The atmosphere becomes tense as investigators probe the case.

Dennis is located at a train station, aligning with his fixation on trains and his disconnect from the household. He is taken into custody for questioning as the investigation progresses. The location underscores the recurring motif of trains in his life.

Dennis is questioned by a psychiatrist who attempts to understand his mindset and the alleged crime. The doctor notes that there is no suitable psychiatric facility readily available to house him. Given the lack of viable options, authorities consider jail as an interim measure.

Dennis is placed in jail where he is beaten and harassed by fellow prisoners who despise sex offenders, and guards do nothing to intervene. The hostile environment deepens his despair and isolation. In a desperate moment, he attempts to take his own life.

Rita contacts Thomas, a lawyer who happens to be Barbara's boyfriend. Thomas argues that Dennis belongs in a psychiatric institution rather than prison and begins building a case for transfer. Barbara's stance hardens during their discussions about Dennis's fate.

A medical examination confirms that the woman was raped, intensifying the legal pressure surrounding the case. Thomas advocates for Dennis to be placed in a psychiatric facility instead of continued imprisonment and begins pushing this argument in court. He tries to persuade the judge during proceedings.

Barbara changes her mind after a quarrel with Thomas, recognizing that punishment alone won't solve the problem. She acknowledges that Dennis may require professional help rather than confinement. The family begins to consider the possibility of psychiatric treatment for him.

The family and Rita petition the government, seeking Dennis’s release or a transfer to psychiatric care. Their advocacy marks a shift from denial to active attempts at remedy. The political dimension of the case becomes more pronounced as public attention grows.

The family manages to appear on a famous Belgian debate television show to push for Dennis’s release and proper treatment. The media exposure raises public awareness and puts pressure on authorities. The broadcast amplifies the complexity of the case for viewers.

A few days later, Rita receives a letter from a psychiatric institution indicating that Dennis has been accepted as a patient. The possibility of professional treatment offers a new direction for his life. The family weighs hope against the unresolved questions of accountability.

At the psychiatric institution, Dennis describes the encounter with the girl: she lured him to an abandoned place, claimed to know trains, and coaxed him into a risky situation. He recounts how she stroked his belly and how he felt aroused, which he says led to the act. This account becomes a key part of his admission and ongoing treatment discussions.