The Worst Person in the World (2022)

Contrary to the belief of some, Joachim Trier’s film is not about me. It chronicles four years in the life of Julie, a thirty something young woman whose constant indecisiveness eventually leads her to worry that she will never settle down and be truly happy. Told through twelve chapters including a prologue and an epilogue, The Worst Person In The World is a darkly comedic triumph, with a terrific performance at the heart of it from Renate Reinsve. Early in the film it seems that Julie has found happiness with Aksel, a man who’s several years her senior, although it’s clear that he wants children and she is unsure; at the very least she doesn’t want any soon. His arguments for a child are strong, they’re coming from someone who has clearly wanted them his whole life but you can really understand Julie’s misgivings about it, certainly when suggested in such a persistent fashion. She wants to live in the now, and enjoy her life while she feels she has the opportunity to. Whilst crashing a wedding party she meets Eivind and strikes up what seems like a very close bond. Both of them are in long-term relationships and both go their separate ways after the party, agreeing not to see each other again. Despite no technical violation of either of their relationships over the course of the night, the idea that there could be someone else out there plays on Julie’s mind from then on in, and it becomes more and more difficult for her to play out the life that Aksel wants, and why should she, if it’s not what she wants. But that’s Julie in a nutshell, the way the film works I found it easy to root for and understand Julie’s point of view, as well as sympathising greatly with Aksel and others. It’s a heartfelt take on the trials and tribulations of a young woman’s love life having an effect on her life, both positively and negatively. But it’s very funny as well; the black comedy is fantastically laid on, inserted in the most inappropriate places resulting in laugh out loud moments that pepper the film. It’s a terrific piece of work, and everyone would do well to check it out. 8.3/10