In a Better World

Watch In a Better World

  • R
  • 2011
  • 1 hr 59 min
  • 7.6  (41,671)
  • 65

In a Better World is a Danish drama film directed by Susanne Bier, released in 2010. The movie revolves around two families, each trying to cope with their own set of problems. The film is set in Denmark and Sudan and is an intense exploration of human emotions, morality, and relationships. Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) is a successful doctor who splits his time between Denmark and an African refugee camp where he provides medical aid. His son, Elias (Markus Rygaard), is being bullied at school, which turns him into a simmering ball of anger and resentment. Elias befriends a new boy in school, Christian (William Johnk Nielsen), who has recently moved to Denmark from London. Christian is also angry and has been traumatized by the death of his mother from cancer.

As the story unfolds, Christian starts to take things into his own hands and use violence against those who have wronged him, including Elias' bullies. Elias is conflicted by this because he is glad to have a friend but is not sure he wants to condone Christian's violent behavior. Anton is called in to try to help Christian's father, who wants to divorce his wife in the middle of her cancer treatment. Anton also tries to work with Elias and Christian as they try to navigate their relationships with each other and the world.

The plot in In a Better World alternates between the stories of the two families - Anton and Elias in Denmark, and Christian and his father in Sudan. Anton and his wife are trying to cope with their own strained relationship due to Anton's work in Sudan while dealing with the aftermath of their son's bullying. The storyline in Sudan deals with Christian's father's work with a doctor at a refugee camp and the dangers they face from a tribal warlord who's terrorizing the area.

The film tackles some heavy themes, and the acting is impeccable, which is to be expected with a cast of Trine Dyrholm, Mikael Persbrandt, and Markus Rygaard. The character development is fantastic, and you can see the struggles and emotions that each character goes through as they try to deal with their complex and complicated lives.

Although the movie is a slow burner, the deliberate pacing allows the audience to sink into the story and appreciate the detailed and nuanced portrayals of the characters. There are moments of violence, but they feel earned and necessary, rather than gratuitous. In a Better World is an emotionally powerful film about the intricacies of life, the choices we make, and their consequences. It's a deeply human and thought-provoking exploration of morality in a world that is sometimes all-too-often lacking in it.

In conclusion, In a Better World is a masterpiece of contemporary Danish cinema that's well worth watching. It's a smart, well-observed, powerful and important film that should rank highly on any list of the best films of the 2010s. This is a movie that has stayed with me years after seeing it, and with its insightful look into the human condition, it's a film that's hard to forget.

In a Better World is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 65.

In a Better World
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Where to Watch In a Better World
In a Better World is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent In a Better World for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2011
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 59 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (41,671)
  • Metascore
    65