The Worst Person in the World is the third and likely final installment in Norwegian director Joachim Trier’s Oslo Trilogy. It follows Reprise (2006) and Oslo, 31 August (2011). While each film differs in narrative, they share central themes such as longing, love, drug use, grief, and the challenges of adulthood. They also serve as affectionate tributes to Oslo, Norway’s capital.
In The Worst Person in the World, Trier delves into the complicated and whimsical nature of love. The film follows Julie (Renate Reinsve), who embarks on a self-discovery journey. Julie is the epitome of imperfection—indecisive, impatient, and sometimes apathetic. Yet, the film avoids vilifying her, leaving space for empathy instead.
The Worst Person in the World Ending Explained
The story of The Worst Person in the World is divided into 14 chapters, including a prologue and an epilogue. Julie, a woman in her 20s, lives in Oslo. At the start of the film, she is studying medicine, but she soon feels disconnected and uninspired. She breaks up with her boyfriend and switches her focus to psychology, supported by her mother. But soon, Julie finds herself drawn to photography, a new passion that leaves her in a constant state of indecision.
Julie’s transition to photography marks the beginning of a new chapter. She buys a camera and begins investing in lenses, hoping to turn her passion into a career. She finds herself surrounded by a community of models, artists, and entertainers. In the midst of this new world, Julie starts dating a model but eventually leaves him for a comic book creator named Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie). Aksel is 15 years her senior, but their age gap doesn’t seem to cause issues at first.
However, their relationship begins to show signs of strain. Aksel, in his 40s, is eager to settle down and start a family, but Julie is not at that point in her life. Julie’s background, having been raised by a single mother, leaves her struggling with her own views on relationships and family. One evening, after overhearing an argument between Aksel’s brother and his wife, Julie gains some perspective. It becomes clear that everyone, regardless of how perfect their lives may seem, faces their own struggles.
Julie’s relationship with Aksel eventually falters, and she meets Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), a laid-back barista, at a wedding. Despite not sleeping together, they spend the night laughing, dancing, and enjoying life. Aksel and Eivind are polar opposites—Aksel is intellectual and artistic, while Eivind is more carefree. Julie decides that her relationship with Aksel demands too much and uses that as an excuse to break up with him.
Julie and Eivind begin dating, and he even leaves his girlfriend, Sunniva, for her. However, their relationship is short-lived. Julie feels disconnected from Eivind intellectually and starts questioning their compatibility. Shortly after, Julie discovers she is pregnant, and she runs into Aksel’s brother, who reveals that Aksel is terminally ill, and suffering from pancreatic cancer.
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The Fate of Julie’s Baby in The Worst Person in the World
In Chapter 11: Positive, Julie realizes she is pregnant. She performs a home pregnancy test, which confirms her suspicion. Julie is unsure about what to do next. Eivind is the father, but their relationship is already falling apart. Julie is also dealing with the overwhelming news of Aksel’s illness. Torn between her feelings of uncertainty and her responsibilities, Julie visits Aksel, seeking comfort.
Julie’s visit to Aksel can be interpreted in multiple ways. It seems that she is searching for validation from a man who once wanted to build a family with her. Her actions may appear both selfish and selfless. Regardless, Julie’s presence during Aksel’s final days likely brings him some solace. She later informs Eivind about the pregnancy, and the two part ways, giving Julie the space to reflect on her options. However, Julie does not have to make a decision. While she is in the shower one day, she suffers a miscarriage. Strangely, she feels a sense of relief afterward, an unexpected emotional response to a tragic event.
Why Julie Doesn’t Visit Aksel One Last Time
Though Julie treated Aksel poorly, he was undeniably significant to her life. She has carried thoughts of him with her since the beginning of the story. As Aksel’s condition worsens, Julie begins to reconsider the choices she made, pondering the possibility of reconciliation. However, when she learns that Aksel will not survive the night, Julie makes a difficult decision.
Julie’s actions throughout the film paint her as a deeply flawed individual. She can be self-centered and even cruel. Her insecurities and feelings of being trapped in her relationship with Eivind often lead her to lash out. When Eivind tries to compliment her writing, she rejects him. Trier has said that Julie is “in that eternal stage of existential crisis” that many face in their 30s. She doesn’t yet know what she wants from life, both professionally and personally.
The Worst Person in the World highlights the importance of making mistakes in the search for identity. By the time she reaches her 30s, Julie doesn’t have everything figured out. The film shows that it often takes life-altering events to spark personal growth. Aksel’s death and Julie’s miscarriage serve as turning points for her, helping her find clarity and direction.
When Julie learns of Aksel’s imminent death, she chooses not to visit him one final time. Instead, she spends the night walking through Oslo’s streets and alleys, confronting her grief alone. The morning light that shines on her face signifies the possibility of a fresh start and a bright future ahead.
The Significance of the Film’s Epilogue
The epilogue of The Worst Person in the World reinforces Julie’s personal transformation. It also shows subtle growth in Eivind, but Julie’s evolution is the most prominent. The film explores her inner turmoil through voice-over narration, the surreal mushroom trip scene, and a time-freeze moment. Some time has passed since Aksel’s death, and Julie has now established herself as a successful photographer.
Eivind, meanwhile, has started a family of his own. Julie and Eivind have both evolved since their last interactions. Julie, in particular, has accepted who she is and found peace with her identity. Unlike before, her sense of self no longer depends on her relationships with others. After all her struggles and uncertainties, Julie emerges victorious, having found a place of personal acceptance and clarity.
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