The Four of Us

The Four of Us

Year: 2021

Runtime: 88 min

Language: German

Director: Florian Gottschick

DramaComedyRomance

As four close-knit friends converge on a secluded beachside retreat, their unconventional partnership experiment spirals out of control, forcing them to confront the underlying realities they've been avoiding.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Four of Us (2021)
Explore the full timeline and setting of The Four of Us (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The film is set in a contemporary period, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and societal norms. During this time, themes of open relationships and emotional exploration are prevalent, making the narrative relatable to today's audience. This backdrop allows the characters to confront their desires and complications in a realistic setting.

Location

North Sea, Holiday House

The primary setting of the film is a charming holiday house located on the picturesque North Sea, known for its serene landscapes and tranquil ocean views. This idyllic location serves as a backdrop for the couples' explorations of their relationships. The beach nearby adds to the emotional atmosphere, symbolizing both freedom and the tumultuous waters of their feelings.

🏖️ Beach 🏡 Holiday House

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Main Characters – The Four of Us (2021)
Meet the key characters of The Four of Us (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Janina Elkin as Nina

Janina is an ambitious young journalist who finds herself navigating the complexities of her marriage and friendships. She is introspective and seeks to understand her emotional landscape through the partner exchange. As new revelations arise, she is forced to reconcile her career ambitions with her personal life.

🖊️ Journalist 💔 Complex Relationships

Louis Nitsche as Ben

Ben is a struggling actor whose insecurities about his career affect his relationship with Janina. Throughout the film, he grapples with feelings of inadequacy and unexpected emotions towards Maria. His character highlights the theme of vulnerability in love and the desire for connection.

🎭 Actor 😞 Insecure

Paula Kalenberg as Maria

Maria is Janina's best friend and Nils' wife, who finds herself caught in an emotional conflict during the partner exchange. Her feelings for Ben complicate her existing relationship, leading to significant personal growth and realizations about love and fidelity. Maria's journey reflects the complexities of female friendships and romantic entanglements.

👭 Best Friend 💔 Conflict

Jonas Nay as Nils

Nils, Maria's husband, is a pragmatic estate agent who initially seems grounded but experiences a major shift when he learns of Janina's pregnancy. His character embodies the struggle between societal expectations and personal desires, providing a poignant commentary on commitment and fatherhood.

🏡 Estate Agent 🎢 Emotional Journey

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Major Themes – The Four of Us (2021)
Explore the central themes of The Four of Us (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Commitment

The film intricately explores the evolving nature of love and commitment among the four main characters. As they engage in a partner exchange, it challenges their understanding of fidelity and emotional connection. Through their experiences, the film illustrates how love can transform and complicate personal relationships.

🔄 Betrayal and Trust

Betrayal emerges as a central theme when the characters break their agreement of no intimacy. This breach of trust leads to emotional upheaval, forcing each character to confront their desires and loyalties. The ensuing chaos highlights the fragile nature of trust in relationships.

🧠 Self-Discovery

Self-discovery is a crucial theme as the couples navigate their experiences during the partner exchange. The arrangement was designed to promote personal insights into their needs, and through the emotional turmoil, they learn more about themselves and their relationships. This journey of introspection adds depth to their characters.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

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