Off Course

A scientist who is overeducated and underemployed, Braulio navigates Berlin’s job market with a mix of ambition and insecurity. He lies about his employment to maintain status and support his pride, becoming entangled in a web of deception. His practical wit and stubborn optimism drive much of the film’s tension and redemptive moments.

Trained in the financial sector, Hugo is a dreamer who struggles with underemployment and self-worth. He deceives others about his real status to maintain a façade of success, and his choices ripple through his relationships, including a planned wedding that ends in a dramatic jilting. His journey is about accountability and the search for authentic purpose.

A fellow Spaniard who has finally found professional traction, Carla fights to avoid becoming ‘the other woman’ in a relationship. Her evolving bond with Hugo tests her boundaries and sense of belonging, revealing a mix of vulnerability and determination. She often finds herself negotiating love, loyalty, and personal ambition.

Nadia is Hugo’s fiancée, representing the conventional path he initially pursues. Her presence amplifies the tension when truths spill over, exposing the illusion of his career success. She embodies modern urban life and the social pressures around love, status, and marriage.

An older expatriate whose daughter lives in Spain, Andrés embodies memory, loyalty, and the fragility of plans across borders. His Alzheimer's diagnosis adds emotional weight and questions about legacy. He serves as a counterpoint to the younger couple’s restless pursuit of opportunity.

Hugo’s father who loses his job and faces economic uncertainty. He offers wisdom about choosing love over money, and his speech during the wedding scene becomes a catalyst for Hugo’s ultimate decision. His character anchors themes of sacrifice and intergenerational advice.

A Turkish café owner who brings the immigrant work world to the foreground. He and his wife Marisol navigate fertility struggles and unexpected complications, forcing them to confront the limits of desire and practical decisions. His interactions with Braulio reveal the complexity of mentorship and exploitation in a new city.

Hakan’s wife who faces infertility and a desperate desire for a child. Her actions intertwine with Braulio’s life, altering the course of friendships and romantic loyalties. Her resilience and drive to secure a future for her family drive several pivotal plot developments.

Carla’s drug-dealing brother who lives in the same building, contributing to a messy, vibrant, and morally gray backdrop. He embodies street-level grit, complicating the protagonists' attempts to stabilize their lives. His character adds humor, danger, and a sense of shared orbit around the central trio.

Hugo’s mother who becomes involved in the family’s economic and emotional struggles. She embodies care, resilience, and the endurance of family bonds in the face of uncertainty. Her presence highlights the importance of familial support and sacrifice.