Review: The Worst Person In The World

The Worst Person In The World is a pretty flawless picture. Actress Renate Reinsve is perfect as Julie, as we follow her journey through life. Broken up into 12 chapters, Julie runs in a search for happiness and identity. Writer-director Joachim Trier’s film is personal, witty, warm, and heartbreaking. Nominated for 2 Oscars (International Feature and Original Screenplay), The Worst Person In The World is now playing in theaters. A masterclass that snuck up on me in the end. 5-stars.

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Yes, I do love you. But I also don't.

Actress Renate Reinsve

With The Worst Person In The World (Verdens verste menneske), the acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31st and Thelma) has completed his unplanned trilogy, known as the "Oslo Trilogy" (2006's Reprise, 2011's Oslo, August 31st, and now The Worst Person In The World). Trier has low-key linked and crossed over these three distinctive stories with their own personalities, but also similar elements. In 2006's Reprise, Trier examined two young writers and best friends (actors Anders Danielsen Lie and Espen Klouman Høiner) potential for greatness. Continuing with 2011’s Oslo, August 31st, Trier evaluated a decisive day of existence with a 34-year-old man (Lie) who believes his time has passed and wants to cut it short. Now, we have moved to his newest picture, The Worst Person In The World, where we follow Julie (an excellent Renate Reinsve), who is having an existential crisis in life.

Here, Trier studies the ticking time bomb that society imposes on young adults — not only to succeed professionally — but also to settle down romantically and reproduce. Julie is a free-spirited 29-year-old woman trying to figure out her life along the way. In the beginning, Julie is a studying medical student, then switches to psychology, then to photography. Julie meets an acclaimed comic artist named Aksel (a strong Lie), who's fifteen years her senior. Julie and Aksel begin dating and eventually move in together. Aksel is ready to settle down and start a family, but Julie does not want children. Eventually, Julie meets Eivind (a great Herbert Nordrum) while crashing a party one night. Here, Julie's "I do love you. And I don't love you" for Aksel comes to light. Julie's life is entangled with both Aksel and Eivind, and this is as far with the plot as I will go.

Actors Herbert Nordrum and Renate Reinsve

Trier's picture is a dark romantic comedy-drama that subverts many rom-com tropes. I found this to be incredibly insightful throughout the movie. I laughed, and I even got a little teary-eyed at the end. The Worst Person In The World is a poignant film that balances several different emotions superbly. Trier's picture is a balancing act in storytelling and a visual palette to cleanse our mouthes. The visual style and editing used throughout is crisp and grandeur. Layered with a killer soundtrack (Ride Like the Wind, The Way You Look Tonight, I Will Take You There, and I Said Goodbye to Me) that plays to the beat of Julie's own drum, superb performances (Reinsve, Lie, Nordrum), and powerful storytelling on the messiness of relationships, The Worst Person In The World has proven why everyone has been talking about it.

Powerful, passionate, wickedly funny, and even a little sexy: Trier's film is a roller coaster of emotions bursting through the screen. There's a scene that involves consuming mushrooms that will have you dying of laughter. Having its world premiere that the 2021 Cannes last July and Reinsve winning Best Actress there at the festival, I can now see why she has been the talk of the town ever sense. Reinsve gives us a layered performance full of heart and soul. As her character grows and struggles in life, you can see Reinsve's natural talent running through Julie's veins. The Worst Person In The World is complex, heartfelt, and realistic. As Julie examines her inner self, it allows the viewers to reflect on their own personal lives and struggles. So, is Julie really "the worst person in the world?" I'll let you come to that conclusion yourself. For now, go experience this sophisticated masterclass of love and loss.

Actress Renate Reinsve

The Worst Person In The World is rated R (Restricted) Sexual Content | Graphic Nudity | Drug Use | Some Language.

Experience this beautiful film in theaters: https://worstpersonfilm.com/

Directed by Joachim Trier

Starring Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, and Herbert Nordrum.