The Worst Person in the World is a Norwegian romantic drama directed by Joachim Trier. It follows the life of Julie, a young woman in Oslo, as she navigates love, career, and self-discovery. The film presents a deeply introspective look at modern life and the indecisiveness that often accompanies young adulthood in the 21st century. Through Julie’s journey, the film explores themes of uncertainty, impulsiveness, and personal growth.
Julie begins as a medical student but soon realizes she is more interested in psychology. However, her passion shifts again when she finds herself drawn to photography. This pattern of uncertainty also extends to her romantic relationships. She briefly gets involved with her psychology professor before meeting Aksel, a successful comic artist. Despite initial hesitations, Julie finds herself deeply drawn to Aksel and eventually moves in with him.
Julie’s Journey: Love, Identity, and the Struggle for Fulfillment
Julie and Aksel’s relationship is initially stable, but differences soon emerge. Aksel, being older and more settled, expresses his desire to start a family. Julie, however, feels unprepared for such a commitment. While Aksel is content in his career, Julie struggles to find her own direction, feeling increasingly lost and disconnected from his world. Their differences become more apparent during Aksel’s book launch event, where she feels out of place and dissatisfied with her life.
One night, after leaving Aksel’s event, Julie stumbles upon a house party where she meets Eivind. They spend the night together engaging in flirtatious interactions, testing the limits of fidelity without officially cheating. Although they part ways without planning to reconnect, the encounter leaves a lasting impression on Julie. This marks the beginning of her inner conflict regarding her relationship with Aksel.
Renate Reinsve as Julie (Photo: The Worst Person in the World/Camera Film)Julie continues to struggle with her personal identity and career aspirations. Encouraged by Aksel, she writes an article that gains popularity online. Meanwhile, her relationship with her father remains strained, further emphasizing her struggles with emotional connections. Eventually, Julie meets Eivind again at the bookstore where she works.
Their rekindled connection makes her realize that she no longer loves Aksel. This realization leads to a pivotal moment where time metaphorically freezes as she imagines herself falling in love with Eivind. She then breaks up with Aksel, signaling the start of a new chapter in her life.
Life with Eivind and Aksel’s Illness
Julie moves in with Eivind, feeling a newfound sense of comfort. However, doubts begin to surface once again. She watches Aksel’s television interviews, gaining a deeper understanding of him that she hadn’t before. Soon after, she learns that Aksel has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. This devastating news shakes Julie, making her reflect on their past relationship and the impact he had on her life.
Julie visits Aksel in the hospital, and they share emotional conversations about life, love, and regrets. Around the same time, she discovers that she is pregnant. This revelation forces her to confront her fears about commitment and motherhood. Although she had previously resisted the idea of having children, she decided to keep the baby, marking a significant turning point in her personal growth.
Renate Reinsve as Julie and Anders Danielsen Lie as Aksel (Photo: The Worst Person in the World/Camera Film)Although Eivind is the one who initially refers to himself as the worst person in the world, the title more likely applies to Julie. Throughout the film, Julie makes impulsive decisions that affect not only her life but also the lives of those around her. However, the film suggests that no one is truly the “worst” person—people simply make choices that can be perceived as selfish or misguided depending on perspective.
The Symbolism of the Time Freeze and the Ending
The time freeze sequence visually represents Julie’s mental conflict. It highlights her struggle to make a decision and her tendency to escape reality rather than confront it head-on. By the end of the film, Aksel has passed away, and Julie is no longer with Eivind. She has found a new career as a still photographer and sees Eivind with another woman and their child. Alone in her apartment, she focuses on her work, suggesting that she has finally embraced her independence and personal growth.
The Worst Person in the World is not just a love story but a deeply introspective film about finding oneself. Julie’s journey reflects the struggles of an entire generation grappling with identity, purpose, and relationships. Through its nuanced storytelling and brilliant performances, the film captures the essence of human imperfection, ultimately suggesting that no one is truly the worst person—we are all just trying to navigate life the best we can.
