The Trip

Year: 2021

Runtime: 113 min

Language: Norwegian

Director: Tommy Wirkola

ActionThrillerHorrorComedy

A couple, Lars and Lisa, struggling with marital problems, decide to spend a weekend in a remote cabin to try and reconnect. Their attempt at a peaceful retreat quickly unravels as unsettling events and personal conflicts escalate. The experience forces them to confront their deepest fears and desires, testing the strength of their relationship and questioning whether their love can endure the unsettling challenges they face.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The Trip (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Trip (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Lars, a discontented soap opera director, is stuck in a strained marriage with his wife, Lisa, a struggling actress. After deciding to escape for a weekend cabin trip, both secretly plot to eliminate one another. Enter Viktor, Lars’ friend, who offers to assist in their murderous schemes, hoping to claim a share of Lisa’s life insurance payout.

In a shocking turn of events, as Lars attacks Lisa with a hammer, she manages to taser him, temporarily incapacitating him. However, the dim-witted Viktor mistakenly favors Lars, only to create chaos when Lisa reveals to him that she can offer more money than Lars can. A vicious fight breaks out, leading to Lars inflicting serious wounds on Viktor. In a desperate plea from Lisa, Lars misinterprets her wishes, resulting in him accidentally shooting Viktor dead. The shot ricochets and inadvertently strikes a man hiding in the attic, knocking down three fugitives—Petter, Dave, and Roy—who had been hiding from the law.

As the confrontation escalates, Lars discovers that Dave plans to assault Lisa. Initially dismissive, Lars soon learns that Dave’s true intention was to target him. Lisa, in a panic, implores the trio for mercy, promising them a significant payout if they spare her and Lars. However, as the situation spirals, the couple find a way to break free and initiate a chaotic series of confrontations that could have cost them their lives. Luckily, Lars’ father, Mikkel, arrives just in time, tipping the scales after being alerted by his friend Hans to the bizarre happenings.

In a blood-soaked finale, Mikkel, Dave, and Roy meet their fate in brutally violent clashes, leaving only Petter to confront Lars and Lisa. Ultimately, the couple manages to overpower Petter, knocking him out and sinking his body in a nearby lake.

When the police arrive, Lars and Lisa, now united by their harrowing ordeal, spin a tale of bravery and heroism to protect their image. Capitalizing on the media frenzy surrounding their story, they embark on producing a Hollywood film, with Lars directing and Lisa gracing the screen as herself, ensuring their twisted saga is immortalized.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:07

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of The Trip?

Still wondering what the ending of The Trip (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

Lars and Lisa’s ordeal at the cabin ends with them surviving the chaos after an intense fight with a group of escaped prisoners. In the final moments, Lars is wounded but manages to shoot one of the robbers, Petter, and save Lisa. Their father, Mikkel, arrives just in time to help defend them, even sacrificing himself in the process, which allows Lars and Lisa to escape. After the chaotic struggle, with Petter threatening Lisa, Lars manages to pull her out of danger by grabbing the rope attached to the robbers’ boat during their escape attempt. In a dramatic final act of protection and remorse, Lisa chooses to save her husband rather than drown him, despite the chaos and violence surrounding them. This act symbolizes that, amid all the darkness and conflict, there is a glimmer of hope and a desire for reconciliation.

Once they make it back to safety, Lars and Lisa sit watching the sunrise, reflecting on their experience. When Lisa asks where Lars hid the billiard ball he used to attack Roy, Lars avoids the question, hinting that their future is uncertain and still troubled. However, Lisa quickly realizes that their harrowing experience has given them a new perspective. They decide to sell their story to the media, transforming their traumatic adventure into a sensational success. They end up earning a fortune from the film, with Lisa becoming a star and Lars directing. Interestingly, Lars rewrites their final moments in a heroic light, turning his vulnerability into a symbol of strength and resilience, perhaps to appeal more to the audience. In the end, despite all the violence and chaos they endured, their story becomes one of survival and redemption, showing that even amidst darkness, there’s always a chance for a new beginning.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

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Unlock the Full Story of The Trip

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Trip 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 The Trip is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Trip Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Trip

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The Trip Ending Explained

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The Trip Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Trip

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