Troubled Water

As teenagers, Jan Thomas Hansen and a friend take Isak, a boy left outside a cafe by his mother, on a reckless outing. Isak slips, hits his head on a rock, and sustains a severe head injury that appears fatal. Panicked, Jan Thomas and his friend carry the boy to a nearby river and set him adrift.

At the trial, Jan Thomas testifies that Isak was killed by the fall, presenting his account as an accident. The jury convicts him of murder based on the circumstances and his involvement in the disappearance. He is sentenced to prison as a result of the verdict.

While in jail, Jan Thomas uses his musical talent to play the organ for church services in the prison chapel. The routine provides him with a semblance of life outside the crime and a way to cope with confinement. His chapel performances connect him to faith and memory of Isak.

After serving his sentence, he is released as a young adult and begins working as an organist at a church. He rebuilds a sense of purpose by performing for worship and meeting members of the church community. The role marks a new normal after years in confinement.

He befriends Anna, the church's priest, who is a single mother, and her young son Jens. Their friendship introduces him to a small, chosen family and expands his social world beyond the congregation. This bond deepens as he helps care for Jens in daily life.

Agnes, Isak's mother, learns that Jan Thomas has been released and grows increasingly anxious about the safety of her two adopted daughters. Her worry strains her relationships within the family and challenges her sense of security. The fear of the past resurfacing affects daily life.

Agnes's husband accepts a job offer that would move the family to Denmark, in the hopes of easing her anxiety. The potential relocation brings an additional layer of tension as they balance safety concerns with everyday life. The move would change the family dynamic and location.

Agnes sees Jan Thomas with Jens and becomes convinced that Jens may not be safe. Her fear ties the past incident to present circumstances and intensifies the sense of danger around the church community. The possibility of risk in Jens's life drives further concern.

Jan Thomas allows Jens to wait outside Jens's school while he retrieves something from inside, and Jens disappears. He is soon found to have fled toward the river, where he nearly drowns in the current. The event triggers immediate rescue efforts and heightened fear among the adults.

Jan Thomas braves the river and catches Jens, gripping a branch to keep them from being carried away. Agnes joins at the critical moment and helps bring them safely to shore. The rescue marks a turning point in the immediate crisis.

Back home, Jan Thomas confesses to Agnes what really happened to her son Isak. The confession reframes her understanding of the past and forces both families to confront the truth. The revelation adds emotional weight to the ongoing strain between them.

The film closes with the confession hovering over the families, leaving the future uncertain. Jan Thomas's life as an organist continues in the present, but the past events cast a long shadow over all involved. The narrative emphasizes unresolved consequences rather than a neat resolution.