In a Better World ("Hævnen")

The title of this film is truly befitting to the reason for its allure. For I think in all of us, lies a child yearning for that simpler and kinder time, when the innocence of youth made it possible for both friendship and forgiveness to prevail over the tragedies of the human experience.

After his mother’s death, Christian (played by William Jøhnk Nielsen) moves back home from London with his newly widowed father and ends up befriending the school outcast Elias (played by Markus Rygaard). But it doesn’t take long before the effects of his mother’s death overshadows their friendship and Elias is soon forced to make a fateful decision that will test his morality and send both their families hurtling towards a collision course.

“In a Better World” can attribute its success to both its writers (Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen) and to its dynamic cast for their tandem efforts in creating a visceral mosaic of emotions within the audience that resonates long after the credits have ended. It can be said that the famous proverb, “To err is human; to forgive divine” is the underlying message within this movie; however, viewers may also recognize another well know adage at play here:

“Do as I say, not as I do”.

Director Susanne Bier deserves high marks for her patience and guidance in working with such gifted and young talent. Like a conductor, she is charged with the delicate task of orchestrating a symphony comprised of high stakes and highly-charged emotions while maintaining that oh-so important beat of authenticity.

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One notable actor that stood-out among the cast is William Jøhnk Nielsen who played the role of Christian. Despite his adolescence, the subtlety to which he brought his choices to life is the hallmark of an actor many more years his senior. Through his sombre and stoic choices, Nielsen exuded a persona that effectively contributed to the foreboding lead-up to the climatic event while at the same time, conveying an honest portrayal of a young boy struggling with the pain and anguish of the death of his mother.

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Simply put, “In a Better World” is an impactful movie because it reaches that part of us (some more deeply buried than others) that still holds faith in the magnanimous nature of the human race. 

Watch a preview of "In a Better World" ("Hævnen")