The Worst Person in the World

Julie, a medical student in Oslo, embarks on a transformative journey, shifting her focus from medicine to psychology and eventually to photography. In her late twenties, she begins a complex relationship with Aksel Willman, a comic artist who is 15 years her senior. During a weekend visit to Aksel’s parents’ house, he suggests the idea of starting a family, a notion that leaves Julie feeling apprehensive.

One fateful night, after attending a publishing event for Aksel, Julie inadvertently crashes a wedding reception, where she encounters Eivind, a charismatic barista. Despite both being in relationships, they share a night filled with laughter and intimacy, although they do not engage in sexual activities, only exchanging first names before parting.

Julie’s creative expression flourishes when she writes a provocative short story about feminism and oral sex that captures Aksel’s attention and prompts him to encourage her to share it online. The story becomes a sensation. However, as Julie celebrates her 30th birthday at her divorced mother’s home, she faces disappointment when her father, under the pretense of back pain, fails to show up. In an unexpected twist, her half-sister reveals that he had actually attended one of Julie’s football games on that same day, leaving her feeling further estranged.

While working at a bookstore, Julie bumps into Eivind and his girlfriend, Sunniva. At a dinner with Aksel’s family, Aksel laments about the sanitized film adaptation of his politically incorrect comic series Bobcat, leaving Julie disinterested and lost in thoughts about Eivind. Ultimately, she decides to end her relationship with Aksel.

Meanwhile, Eivind ends things with Sunniva due to her overly restrictive ideals concerning social justice and climate issues. Sparks fly as Julie and Eivind begin to live together. During a small gathering at Eivind’s place, someone discovers a hidden stash of psychedelic mushrooms, which Julie partakes in, resulting in bizarre hallucinations. That evening, she confides in Eivind, expressing her comfort in being herself around him.

Tragically, Aksel’s brother later reveals to Julie that Aksel is suffering from incurable pancreatic cancer. A short time later, Eivind stumbles across a story Julie wrote, and, believing it to be autobiographical, confronts her. In a moment of anger, she denies his claims, patronizing him in the process.

The situation escalates when Julie learns she is pregnant but feels uncertain about telling Eivind. Visiting Aksel in the hospital, he opens up about his fear of death while professing his love for her. Despite Aksel’s assurances that she would make a wonderful mother, Julie remains terrified about the impending changes. Upon returning home, she reveals her pregnancy to Eivind and expresses her need for time to make a decision about the child. Unfortunately, she later receives grave news from Aksel’s brother, implying that Aksel may not make it through the night.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, while showering, Julie experiences a miscarriage.

Fast forward to some time later, Julie finds herself working as an on-set photographer for a film production. While capturing images of an actress, she later spots the actress outside with Eivind and a baby. Reflecting on her day, she returns home to edit the photographs, as memories of her past and hopes for the future intertwine in her mind.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 17:14