Murina

Year: 2022

Runtime: 96 min

Language: Croatian

Director: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic

Drama

On a remote Adriatic island, seventeen-year-old Julija feels trapped by her father's controlling behavior and the weight of family expectations. When a charming, wealthy stranger named Javier arrives, she sees a chance for liberation and a way to break free from her oppressive home life. However, his presence stirs up complex emotions and ignites a power struggle that jeopardizes her hopes for independence and exposes hidden tensions within the family. Julija must confront difficult choices as she navigates a path toward self-discovery and freedom.

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Murina (2022) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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Julija, portrayed by Gracija Filipović, lives with her parents, Ante and Nela, on a secluded island along Croatia’s picturesque Adriatic coast. The film unfolds over a weekend as Ante surprises the family by inviting his long-time friend, Javier, with a proposition to buy their land and transform it into an upscale resort. However, what starts as a friendly visit soon spirals into chaos as buried grudges and family conflicts surface.

As a quiet yet strong-willed teenager, Julija observes her parents’ preparations for Javier’s arrival with a casual disinterest, only joining in when specifically prompted. Julija, an enthusiastic swimmer and skilled spearfisher — often seen in her one-piece swimsuit — frequently escapes to the ocean throughout the weekend, seeking solace in the water.

Her world shifts when she witnesses a flirtation between Javier and Nela during a seaside outing. In a shocking revelation, she discovers that her mother and Javier once shared a romantic past, with Javier even considering marriage to Nela. In a desperate attempt to liberate their family from Ante’s overbearing influence, Julija encourages Nela to rekindle her relationship with Javier. However, Nela dismisses the idea, declaring that “as soon as he boards the plane,” Javier will forget about them.

The family dynamics reach a climax during a celebration held for Javier on the eve of his departure. Ante forbids Julija from attending and confines her to a locked area in their home. Yet, determined to confront the unfolding events, she ingeniously escapes through a floor hatch and dives into the depths of the ocean, making her way to the vibrant party. A confrontation ensues between Julija and Ante, highlighting the mounting tensions.

As the sun rises the next day, Javier departs the island without finalizing the promised real estate deal. In the aftermath, Ante and Julija decide to go spearfishing—an activity they once shared fondly, now tinged with unresolved tension. Swimming closely behind her father, Julija takes aim with the speargun but deliberately chooses to miss. The two resurface, locking eyes as a wordless understanding passes between them, and Julija ultimately swims away into the vastness of the sea, her thoughts lingering in the turmoil of the weekend.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:15

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about oppressive family tensions like Murina

Stories where domestic pressure and control create a suffocating atmosphere.If you liked the suffocating pressure of the family dynamics in Murina, you'll find similar stories here. These movies focus on domestic control, emotional abuse, and the struggle for autonomy within a family unit, often set against a backdrop that enhances the feeling of confinement.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically center on a protagonist, often young, trapped by the expectations and domineering behavior of a family member. A catalyst, like an outside visitor, often ignites a power struggle, forcing the protagonist to confront their situation and make a difficult choice about their future.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core focus on the psychological weight of family relationships, a consistently tense and oppressive tone, and a slow-burning pacing that allows the emotional pressure to build to a critical point.

Movies about female defiance and coming of age like Murina

Quiet stories of young women claiming their autonomy against powerful constraints.Fans of Julija's journey in Murina will appreciate these stories of young women navigating a path to independence. These films feature strong-willed female protagonists who challenge gender oppression and family expectations, leading to ambiguous but powerful endings of self-realization.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a female protagonist's awakening to the limitations of her world. Her rebellion is often subtle and psychological rather than overtly explosive, culminating in an ambiguous ending that signifies a break from the past without providing a neatly wrapped future.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a focus on a specific, resilient type of female character arc, a meditative and yearning mood, and a thematic core of empowerment through self-discovery. The pacing is often deliberate to emphasize the weight of the protagonist's internal conflict.

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