Terribly Happy

Terribly Happy

Year: 2010

Runtime: 90 min

Language: Danish

Director: Henrik Ruben Genz

Drama

Following a personal breakdown, a cynical police officer, Robert Hanson, is reassigned to a seemingly peaceful rural town. There, he becomes involved with an enigmatic woman, finding his tough-cop perspective challenged by the town’s unusual atmosphere. As he navigates this unfamiliar environment, Hanson descends into a troubling and dangerous situation, forcing him to confront his own fractured sense of self.

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Timeline & Setting – Terribly Happy (2010)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Terribly Happy (2010). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, where issues of domestic violence and personal morality intertwine with law enforcement. The narrative unfolds in a setting that reflects modern societal issues, highlighting the complexities of justice and personal responsibility.

Location

Skarrild, Tonder, Copenhagen

Skarrild is a small village nestled in a damp lowland area, known for its tight-knit community and eccentric residents. It presents a seemingly serene facade, yet hides dark secrets and a preference for self-administered justice. Tonder serves as the nearby town, with a more established law enforcement presence, while Copenhagen represents the more urban backdrop that contrasts with Skarrild.

🏡 Village 🌳 Countryside 🚓 Law Enforcement

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

Main Characters – Terribly Happy (2010)

Meet the key characters of Terribly Happy (2010), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robert Hansen

Robert Hansen is a fragile police officer grappling with his mental state after a breakdown triggered by personal strife. Assigned to Skarrild, he embodies both the protector and the transgressor as he becomes entangled in the village's dark secrets. His journey through guilt, longing, and moral complexity creates a multifaceted character torn between duty and desire.

👮 Law Enforcement 😞 Vulnerability ❤️ Complicated Romance

Ingelise Buhl

Ingelise Buhl is a deeply troubled woman whose life is overshadowed by domestic abuse. Her relationship with Robert elicits both tenderness and tragedy, as her vulnerability draws him in while also leading to a catastrophic outcome. Ingelise's character highlights the consequences of violence and the struggle for understanding amidst chaos.

💔 Abuse Victim 😢 Tragic Figure ❤️ Love Interest

Jørgen

Jørgen is portrayed as the antagonist in Ingelise's life, embodying the violence and toxicity that haunts their relationship. His behavior fuels Robert's protective instincts, but ultimately leads to a tragic confrontation. Jørgen’s presence looms large even in his absence, as he symbolizes the dark undercurrents of the village life.

🔫 Abusive Spouse 😠 Conflict 💀 Tragedy

Josefine

Josefine is Robert's daughter, whose well-being serves as a catalyst for his decisions throughout the film. Her distance from Robert exacerbates his sense of loss and drives his need to regain stability in his life. Josefine represents both the hope for redemption and the innocent victim of her father's turmoil.

👧 Innocence ❤️ Family 😭 Longing

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

Major Themes – Terribly Happy (2010)

Explore the central themes of Terribly Happy (2010), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The theme of justice is central to the narrative, as Robert faces moral dilemmas when the villagers choose to enact their own form of justice instead of involving the authorities. His initial role as a protector is challenged as he becomes embroiled in violence and cover-ups. The blurred lines between right and wrong complicate Robert's journey and culminate in a personal reckoning.

💔 Tragedy

Tragedy permeates the story as personal relationships unravel, culminating in a heartbreaking incident involving Ingelise. The aftermath of her death leads to a series of tragic decisions that haunt Robert, emphasizing the devastating consequences of actions taken in passion. The theme of loss extends beyond individuals to impact the entire community.

😔 Guilt

Guilt is a pervasive theme that influences Robert’s every action following Ingelise's death. His internal conflict and recognition of his role in the tragedy reveal the psychological burden he carries. The exploration of guilt leads Robert to make increasingly desperate choices, highlighting how past actions can trap individuals in moral quandaries.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

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Sinister Small Town Stories like in Terribly Happy

Where idyllic country settings hide dark secrets and twisted local justice.For viewers who liked the oppressive rural atmosphere of Terribly Happy, this list features movies like it where a peaceful country setting hides dark secrets, corrupt locals, and a sense of inescapable dread that traps an outsider.

unsettlingclaustrophobicoppressivetenseparanoidsinisterrural noir

Narrative Summary

Stories typically follow an outsider—a lawman, a newcomer, or a visitor—who enters a seemingly peaceful rural community. They soon uncover the town's dark underbelly, becoming entangled in a web of local secrets, corrupt power structures, and a skewed form of justice that challenges their own morality and often leads to their entrapment or downfall.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their use of a specific setting—the sinister small town—as a primary antagonist. They share a mood of claustrophobia and paranoia, where the threat comes not from a single villain but from the entire community and its oppressive, unwritten rules.

Stories of Moral Collapse like in Terribly Happy

Character-driven stories where good intentions lead to inescapable moral decay.If you liked watching the policeman's moral demise in Terribly Happy, explore these similar movies about characters who make one wrong choice and are systematically pulled into a world of corruption, guilt, and irrevocable compromise.

tenseguilt-riddenpsychologicalbleakheavyunsettlingmoral dilemma

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a linear or logical descent. A character, often with a flawed or vulnerable starting point, is faced with a series of escalating ethical dilemmas. Each compromise, whether accidental or coerced, tightens the trap, leading them further from their original morals until they are fully absorbed by the corruption they initially opposed.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by a focused character arc of moral disintegration. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and a steady pacing that makes the protagonist's downfall feel inevitable. The experience is defined by psychological tension and a bleak outlook on human fallibility.

Unlock the Full Story of Terribly Happy

Don't stop at just watching — explore Terribly Happy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Terribly Happy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Terribly Happy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Terribly Happy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Terribly Happy Summary

Terribly Happy Timeline

Track the full timeline of Terribly Happy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Terribly Happy Timeline

Terribly Happy Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Terribly Happy that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Terribly Happy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Terribly Happy

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