Tiger Theory

A veterinarian who endures the quiet tyranny of his wife Olga. To gain autonomy, he pretends to suffer from Alzheimer's and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where he reevaluates his life. The hospital becomes a crucible for testing what he truly wants, and the truth he uncover reshapes his family. His eventual divorce and move to a houseboat mark a shift toward living on his own terms.

A wife whose quiet, constant push to control forms the engine of the family’s power dynamics. Olga embodies the pressure to script others’ lives and maintain a veneer of order. She resists the truth revealed by her husband’s experiment and the unraveling consequences of her control. Her arc culminates in a moment of irony about happiness and independence.

Jan's daughter who partners with Erik but becomes a central figure in the family’s control dynamic. She initially uses a tracking app to push Erik toward her vision of life, blurring care with monitoring. Her perspective shifts as she witnesses the harm of scripting someone else’s life. She ultimately assists Jan in gaining real independence, signaling growth.

Jan's son-in-law who enters the weekends’ visits with a mix of warmth and tension. He becomes entangled in the family’s power games but also serves as a bridge for Jan to reclaim his autonomy. His reaction to the truth tests his loyalty and marks his pivot toward his own path. He learns to envision a life lived on his terms.

Jan’s grandson, Pepa is happily married to Alena, offering a counterpoint to the controlling dynamics elsewhere in the family. His relationship represents a healthier, collaborative partnership where space for each other’s happiness is respected. Pepa’s warmth contrasts with the rigidity that characterizes other branches of the family. He stands as a quiet reminder that love can endure separation with dignity.

Pepa’s wife, a light presence who embodies a more open and easygoing approach to life. Alena’s calm demeanor and emphasis on space and consent highlight a healthier model of relationship dynamics. She provides a counterbalance to the controlling patterns and helps illustrate the film’s message about personal freedom within love.