The Worst Person in the World (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place in Oslo, Norway. The city serves as more than just a backdrop, it reflects Julie's journey of self-discovery through its blend of modern urban life and natural beauty. Oslo's green spaces, cultural venues, and contemporary architecture mirror the film's themes of navigating adulthood in a modern, fast-paced world.

• oslo
• norway
• setting
• location
• scandinavia

The film explores three core themes: Love and Loss (navigating difficult relationships and the pain of change), Self-Discovery (Julie's journey from medicine to photography as she searches for authentic fulfillment), and Pregnancy and Choices (the complexity of adulthood decisions and balancing personal dreams with new responsibilities). These themes interweave to depict the messy, real process of growing up.

• themes
• love
• loss
• self-discovery
• pregnancy
• identity

Julie, played by Renate Reinsve, is the protagonist, a medical student who abandons her studies to pursue photography. She represents the universal struggle of finding one's identity in modern life, juggling relationships with two very different men while searching for authentic happiness. Her character arc embodies the theme of self-discovery and the courage to make difficult life changes.

• julie
• protagonist
• renate reinsve
• photographer
• medical student

Aksel is a comic artist and Julie's older boyfriend, portrayed by Anders Danielsen Lie. He represents both passion and emotional weight in Julie's life. As a nurturing yet flawed figure, he challenges Julie to confront her fears about family and commitment. His battle with cancer adds tragic depth to their relationship and highlights the theme of love and loss.

• aksel
• anders danielsen lie
• comic artist
• cancer
• relationship

Eivind is a charismatic barista who becomes a catalyst for change in Julie's life, played by Herbert Nordrum. He represents freedom and creativity, offering a stark contrast to Aksel's serious demeanor. Through their relationship, Eivind helps Julie embrace her true self, embodying the excitement and uncertainty of new love while pushing her toward self-discovery.

• eivind
• herbert nordrum
• barista
• new love
• freedom

Sunniva is Eivind's girlfriend, characterized by her strong ideals around social justice, played by Maria Grazia Di Meo. Her relationship with Eivind ultimately falters due to conflicting values, illustrating the theme of sacrifice for personal beliefs. Sunniva serves as a foil to Julie, highlighting different paths women take in pursuing love and self-expression.

• sunniva
• social justice
• values
• conflict
• foil character

The film has a bittersweet tone, balancing moments of joy, new love, creative success, with pain like breakups, illness, and miscarriage. It uses a unique chapter-based structure spanning four years, alternating between fast-paced life decisions and slow, reflective moments. This variable pacing creates an authentic portrayal of how people actually experience adulthood.

• tone
• bittersweet
• pacing
• chapters
• structure
• emotional

The film is set in contemporary Oslo, spanning four years of Julie's life in her twenties. While no specific years are named, the modern setting reflects current issues facing young adults today, career uncertainty, relationship complexity, and the pressures of finding identity in a fast-changing world.

• modern
• contemporary
• twenties
• time period
• oslo

Julie transitions from medical student to photographer, using creative expression as a means to articulate her desires and struggles. Her journey resonates with anyone on a quest for personal authenticity, showing that self-discovery is non-linear, messy, and often requires making difficult choices that redefine who you are.

• identity
• self-discovery
• photography
• career change
• authenticity

The film portrays love as complex and often painful, showing how relationships shape and sometimes hinder personal growth. Julie's connections with both Aksel and Eivind represent different kinds of love, one rooted in deep history but tied to loss, another offering freedom but with its own uncertainties. The theme underscores how decisions impact relationships and the inevitability of change.

• love
• loss
• relationships
• change
• growth

Julie's unexpected pregnancy forces her to confront the responsibilities of adulthood. Her uncertainty about becoming a mother mirrors her broader journey of self-discovery. The theme poses difficult questions about balancing personal dreams with new responsibilities, showing that not all choices have clear right or wrong answers.

• pregnancy
• choices
• motherhood
• responsibility
• adulthood