Troubled Water

Troubled Water

Year: 2021

Runtime: 16 mins

Language: French

Director: Nadia Louis-Desmarchais

Drama

Lila travels to her grandmother’s house for a weekend visit, where she reconnects with her cousin Maxime, a childhood friend. During their time together, a significant event occurs, profoundly altering their relationship and shaking Lila's perspective on the world. The weekend takes an unexpected turn, leaving a lasting impact on both of them.

Troubled Water (2021) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Troubled Water (2021) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet outskirts of a small Norwegian town, a former inmate reenters society with a humble vocation that echoes through vaulted ceilings—playing the organ for the local church. The work offers him a rhythm that steadies his restless past, while the steady hum of the congregation masks the undercurrents of unsettled lives that linger nearby.

He quickly becomes intertwined with Anna, the devoted priest who guides the parish with quiet strength, and her young son Jens, whose inquisitive spirit brings an unexpected light to the organist’s days. Their bond forms against a backdrop of muted hymns and the soft glow of stained‑glass, suggesting a tentative hope that routine can smooth over deeper fractures.

Across town, Agnes grapples with the lingering shadows of a tragedy that once tore her family apart. Her protective instincts surface whenever the organist crosses her path, hinting at a fragile trust that must be earned. The convergence of these lives—each carrying their own quiet burdens—creates a tapestry of tension and compassion, set within a world where the gentle flow of a nearby river mirrors the ebb and rise of unresolved emotions.

The film moves with a restrained, contemplative pace, letting the audience feel the weight of unspoken histories while basking in the simple, almost ritualistic beauty of everyday moments. As the organist’s music intertwines with the lives around him, the story invites viewers to contemplate redemption, the possibilities of new connections, and the delicate balance between past regrets and the promise of quieter mornings.

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 18:14

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about being haunted by a secret like in Troubled Water

Protagonists haunted by a past crime, seeking redemption while grappling with their conscience.If you were gripped by the psychological tension of a character grappling with a terrible past in Troubled Water, this thread finds similar movies. These dramas and thrillers explore the heavy toll of guilt and the fragile hope for redemption, focusing on characters whose lives are defined by a hidden truth.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a character years after a pivotal, morally compromising event. The story unfolds as their secret is threatened by the reappearance of someone from their past or a new situation that echoes the original trauma, forcing a slow-burn confrontation with the truth and its consequences.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their intense focus on a protagonist's internal moral struggle. They share a somber, psychologically heavy tone, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a central theme of guilt versus the possibility of forgiveness, creating a deeply immersive and cathartic viewing experience.

Movies about difficult redemption like in Troubled Water

Emotional journeys where confronting past trauma offers a painful but necessary catharsis.For viewers moved by the bittersweet redemption arc in Troubled Water, this collection features films with similar emotional journeys. These stories explore how characters seek to atone for past sins, often finding that forgiveness does not erase pain, resulting in a powerful and complex ending feel.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often involve a character being thrust into a situation that mirrors their past failure, giving them a chance to act differently. Their journey leads to a confession or act of penance that provides catharsis for themselves and others, but the resolution acknowledges that some wounds never fully heal.

Why These Movies?

Movies here share a specific emotional arc: a journey from deep guilt towards a partial, hard-earned redemption. They are united by a heavy emotional weight, a dark but not entirely hopeless tone, and a bittersweet ending that provides closure without offering a simple, happy resolution.

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Troubled Water Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Troubled Water

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Troubled Water

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