O'Horten

O'Horten

Year: 2009

Runtime: 90 min

Language: Norwegian

Director: Bent Hamer

DramaComedy

After a lifetime of predictable routine, retired engineer Odd Horten finds himself unexpectedly left behind when his train departs. This prompts an unpredictable journey into the unknown, forcing him to confront a future he never anticipated. Along the way, he faces a series of unusual encounters and perplexing choices, questioning his long-held beliefs and testing his courage. He must decide whether to pursue his dream of flying, part with his beloved boat, or embrace a surprising change in appearance.

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Timeline – O'Horten (2009)

Trace every key event in O'Horten (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Odd Horten's Last Journey

At 67 years old, Odd Horten prepares for his second-to-last journey on the train route between Oslo and Bergen. This marks the end of a long career spanning forty years, filled with routine and familiarity.

Train station
2

Farewell Conversation with Svea

Upon arriving in Bergen, Odd engages in light conversation with Svea, the boarding house owner. This could be one of their last interactions, highlighting the sense of closure Odd feels as he nears retirement.

Boarding house
3

The Farewell Party

After returning to Oslo, Odd's colleagues throw a farewell party in his honor. Overwhelmed by the attention and spotlight, Odd struggles to enjoy the celebration, feeling more like a burden than a guest of honor.

Co-worker's apartment
4

Locked Out

During the party, Odd accidentally gets locked out of the apartment. In a desperate attempt to join his friends, he climbs a scaffold and enters through a window, only to find himself in the bedroom of a young boy.

Co-worker's apartment
5

Unexpected Nap

Once inside, the young boy asks Odd to stay until he falls asleep. Odd unexpectedly dozes off, resulting in him oversleeping and missing his final opportunity to drive the train, which thrusts him into an uncertain future.

Young boy's bedroom
6

Visit to Retirement Home

Odd visits his mother in a retirement home, where he witnesses her decline into senility. This visit deepens Odd's sense of despair and makes him confront his own mortality and the passage of time.

Retirement home
7

Disheartening Experiences

An outing to a restaurant reveals the realities of life as Odd watches the police arrest a cook and learns about the owner's death at his regular tobacco shop. These encounters further reinforce his feeling of stagnation.

Restaurant and tobacco shop
8

Deciding to Sell the Boat

In an attempt to change his mundane life, Odd chooses to sell his boat. This decision leads him to a surreal encounter with a prospective buyer who requests to meet in the airport's secure zone, adding to the strangeness of his days.

Airport
9

Swimming Pool Discovery

Visiting the local swimming pool, Odd stumbles upon a pair of red high-heeled boots. In an impulsive moment, he decides to wear them as he leaves, signifying his search for spontaneity and breaking away from convention.

Swimming pool
10

Meeting Trygve Sissener

Fate leads Odd to meet another man, Trygve Sissener, who is sleeping in the snow. Their unplanned evening filled with drinks and deep discussions forces Odd to reflect on choices he made and missed throughout his life.

Snow-covered area
11

Blindfolded Adventure

Sissener proposes a reckless adventure of driving while blindfolded. Though the experience is exhilarating, it ends tragically when Sissener unexpectedly dies after pulling over, leaving Odd with newfound responsibilities.

Road
12

Taking Care of Sissener's Dog

In the wake of Sissener's death, Odd finds himself responsible for care of Sissener’s dog. This unexpected turn of events ignites a sense of urgency within Odd to embrace life more fully.

Sissener's location
13

Climbing Holmenkollen

Odd climbs to the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump, where he envisions his mother as a youthful and daring ski jumper. This moment of clarity inspires him to confront his past and consider his future.

Holmenkollen ski jump
14

A New Beginning

In a final act of change, Odd sheds his railwayman's jacket, symbolizing the end of an era in his life. He boards the train once again to Bergen, feeling re-energized as he heads to meet Svea, who awaits him at the platform.

Train station in Bergen

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 12:25

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Characters, Settings & Themes in O'Horten

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