Troubled Water

Set in contemporary times, spanning the teenage years of Jan Thomas into early adulthood. The film presents everyday settings—church, school, and residential spaces—without a historical backdrop. Its focus rests on personal conflict, consequence, and fragile relationships in a modern context.

Set in Norway with scenes around a parish church and a river. The narrative hints at a potential move to Denmark, underscoring how geography and relocation affect family dynamics. The atmosphere blends small-town life with the weight of a hidden crime.

⚖️ Guilt and Consequences

A central thread is the weight of a hidden act and the long shadow it casts over lives. Jan Thomas's testimony fractures the truth, leading to a murder conviction and a life haunted by what really happened. The film explores how guilt drives choices, from secrecy to confession, and how one act can ripple through family and community.

⛪️ Faith and Redemption

The church setting frames the plot, with Jan Thomas's role as organist contrasting with his criminal past. Faith, doubt, and forgiveness intersect as Anna supports him while Agnes confronts the possibility of danger to her own family. The film uses religious spaces to probe whether redemption is possible after violence.

👪 Family and Fear

Fear shapes decisions within a fragile family unit. Agnes's anxiety over her son Isak's death and her daughters' safety drives suspicion and protective actions. The pressures of potential relocation to Denmark amplify tension, testing loyalties and trust. The story shows how parental love can both shield and complicate life.

🪞 Truth and Memory

What is true and what is perceived becomes a dynamic battleground as past events are revisited. Isak's disappearance and the subsequent concealment are gradually unpicked, forcing characters to confront what they really remember. The film dramatizes the fragility of memory and the consequences of silencing the truth. A confession reframes earlier motivations and reconciles the past with the present.