Through a Glass Darkly

In the beginning, Karin is released from an asylum after receiving treatment for her schizophrenia. This marks the start of her challenging journey as she reunites with her family on a secluded island for their vacation.

Karin’s husband, Martin, discusses her fragile condition with her father, emphasizing how difficult it is to cure her illness. This conversation sets a serious tone for the family's dynamics as they confront the reality of Karin's struggles.

Karin's younger brother, Minus, expresses his deep desire for a meaningful conversation with their father. He laments feeling unloved, revealing the emotional isolation he experiences within the family.

David, a novelist staying with the family, contemplates leaving shortly due to a severe writer's block. His internal struggles highlight his disconnection from both the family and his own creativity.

In an effort to connect, Minus writes and performs a play for David. However, David feels insulted by the portrayal and interprets it as a critique, which creates tension among them.

Later that evening, Karin experiences a haunting episode that leads her to the attic, drawn by the sound of a foghorn. There, she faints after hearing disembodied voices, indicating her fragile mental state.

In the attic, Karin discovers David's journal. The chilling content reveals his intention to document her decline, deepening her sense of betrayal and amplifying her distress over her condition.

While fishing, Martin confronts David about exploiting Karin for his writing. David deflects the accusations but acknowledges some truth to Martin's criticisms, revealing his inner turmoil.

In a moment of vulnerability, David shares his contemplation of suicide due to despair. This revelation surprisingly leads him to reaffirm his love for Karin, Martin, and Minus, igniting a flicker of hope.

Karin opens up to Minus about her mental episodes and her belief that God will reveal Himself to her through the attic's wallpaper. This mutual confiding hints at the complex bond between siblings amidst their turmoil.

As a storm brews, Karin seeks refuge in a wrecked ship. Here, a chaotic and inappropriate encounter occurs with Minus, representing the fragility and confusion in their familial relationships.

After the incident, Karin confesses her wrongdoings to her father, attributing her actions to an unseen voice. She expresses a wish to return to the hospital, overwhelmed by the conflict within her two realities.

In a frantic rush to the attic, Karin claims that God will reveal Himself. Her fixation on a spider crawling from the wall culminates in a breakdown as the noise of a helicopter ambulance disrupts her.

As she is sedated, Karin recounts a vision of God as a spider with a menacing appearance, boldly declaring her experience. This moment encapsulates her mental struggle and deteriorating grip on reality.

In the helicopter, Minus shares his fear regarding his sister's incident with their father. David reassures him about the importance of love as a stabilizing force, offering a glimmer of hope for Karin’s future.