The Trip

The Trip

Year: 2021

Runtime: 113 min

Language: Norwegian

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Echo Score: 75
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!

Haven’t seen The Trip yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Trip (2021)

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

Time period

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as failed relationships, greed, and moral decay. This current setting enhances the relatability of the characters' struggles and choices, making their extreme actions all the more shocking.

Location

Cabin in the woods, Nearby lake

The cabin is a secluded retreat where Lars and Lisa attempt to escape their strained marriage. Nestled in the woods, it provides a backdrop for their dark plans and violent confrontations. The nearby lake becomes a significant site as it is where a body is ultimately disposed of, emphasizing the film's themes of desperation and conflict.

🏡 Cabin 🌊 Lake

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:30

Main Characters – The Trip (2021)

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

Lars (Aksel Hennie)

Lars is a discontented soap opera director, trapped in a marriage that's spiraling towards disaster. His frustration and desire for control lead him to plot against his wife, revealing a darker side fueled by desperation. As the chaos unfolds, Lars' actions showcase his complexity—oscillating between victim and villain.

🧔 Lead 🎬 Director

Lisa (Noomi Rapace)

Lisa is a struggling actress, depicted as both vulnerable and cunning. Her desperation for financial security drives her to contemplate violence against Lars, showcasing her survival instincts. Throughout the film, she shifts from a perceived victim to an aggressive player in the deadly game between her and Lars.

👩‍🎤 Actress 💰 Ambitious

Viktor (Character unknown)

Viktor, Lars' dim-witted friend, embodies misguided loyalty and greed. He becomes entangled in the couple's deadly theatrics, revealing his naivety as he misinterprets the dynamics at play. His character serves as a catalyst for the escalating violence, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

👨‍🦰 Friend 💣 Chaos

Mikkel (Nils Ole Oftebro)

Mikkel, Lars' father, adds a layer of familial connection to the chaotic narrative. His timely arrival acts as a turning point in the conflict, showcasing the complicated bonds within family ties. Mikkel's role highlights the potential for reconciliation, even amidst horror.

👴 Father ⏳ Timing

Petter (Atle Antonsen)

Petter is one of the fugitives hiding in the attic, whose presence introduces a new layer of danger and unpredictability to the plot's climax. His character represents the chaotic intersection of different intentions and agendas as all parties become embroiled in the violent drama.

🏃 Fugitives 😨 Unexpected

Dave (Christian Rubeck)

Dave serves as a threatening figure in the narrative, initially believed to target Lisa but ultimately aiming for Lars. His intentions catalyze the unraveling of the couple's plans, embodying the external threats that exacerbate their internal conflict.

👦 Threat 💔 Manipulative

Roy (André Eriksen)

Roy is another fugitive caught in the crossfire of Lars and Lisa's violent struggle. He embodies the chaotic element of unintended consequences that arise when multiple layers of conflict converge. His character ultimately faces a tragic fate amidst the violence.

👨‍🦱 Fugitives ⚔️ Tragic

Hans (Tor Erik Gunstrøm)

Hans plays a crucial role as the informant who alerts Mikkel to the bizarre occurrences at the cabin. His decision to intervene highlights the theme of external influences shaping the course of the primary characters' actions and decisions.

📢 Informant 🔔 Alert

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:30

Major Themes – The Trip (2021)

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

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme in the film, as Lars and Lisa each secretly plot to kill one another. This undermines the foundation of their marriage, showcasing how jealousy and resentment can lead to destructive actions. The involvement of Viktor further highlights the treachery that ensues when monetary gain is the motivation behind personal relationships.

🔫 Violence

Violence pervades the narrative, culminating in chaotic confrontations that define the film's climax. The initial intent to harm becomes a series of gruesome misadventures, revealing the unexpected consequences of seemingly simple decisions. The blood-soaked finale serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly situations can spiral out of control.

🎥 Media Manipulation

The couple's final act of spinning a heroic narrative to the media underscores the theme of media manipulation. They capitalize on their gruesome ordeal to secure fame and fortune, showcasing how truth can be twisted for public sympathy and self-gain. This reflects the interaction between real-life events and storytelling, especially in the age of sensationalism.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about trauma bonding under duress like The Trip

Stories where shared survival against a brutal threat creates a flawed but unbreakable connection.If you liked how The Trip used a violent ordeal to force a twisted reconciliation, you'll find similar narratives here. These movies explore how couples, families, or strangers form intense, lasting bonds through shared survival, often with morally complex or bittersweet outcomes.

brutaltenseunsettlingtraumaticchaoticcynicalclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a fractured or strained relationship that is thrown into a life-or-death scenario. The external threat forces cooperation and dependency, revealing hidden strengths and flaws. The climax resolves the immediate danger but leaves the characters forever bound by their traumatic experience, questioning the health and foundation of their newfound unity.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their central theme of using extreme survival scenarios as a catalyst for relationship dynamics. They share a dark tone, high intensity, and an exploration of whether a bond built on trauma is a source of strength or decay.

Cynical dark comedy thrillers with chaotic violence like The Trip

Violent, chaotic stories where humor underscores a bleak view of human nature.For viewers who enjoyed the mix of brutal action and cynical humor in The Trip, this section features similar movies. These stories often involve plans gone horribly wrong, double-crosses, and characters who find perverse opportunities in chaos, all presented with a fast-paced, darkly comic tone.

chaoticbrutalunsettlingsatiricaltenseanxiouscynical

Narrative Summary

The plot often starts with a flawed or selfish plan that quickly spirals into uncontrollable chaos. The humor arises from the grotesque irony of the situation and the characters' deplorable yet oddly relatable reactions to extreme stress. The narrative structure is fast-paced, moving from one violent set piece to another, with a resolution that rarely offers clean moral victories.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific tonal blend: the pacing and intensity of a thriller with the subversive, bleak perspective of dark comedy. The similarity lies in the feeling of chaotic unpredictability and the use of humor to explore disturbing themes rather than to provide relief.

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 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Trip, 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.

The Trip Summary

The Trip Timeline

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

The Trip Timeline

The Trip Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Trip? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Trip Ending Explained

The Trip Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Trip 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.

The Trip Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Trip

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Trip: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Trip

Similar Movies to The Trip

Discover movies like The Trip that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.