Sick of Myself 2023

Signe and Thomas find themselves in a turbulent relationship while living in Oslo, where Signe juggles her job as a barista and Thomas pursues his passion for creating sculptures from stolen furniture. Amidst the backdrop of their everyday life, Signe grapples with jealousy, feeling overshadowed by the growing attention Thomas receives. In her quest to regain the spotlight, she devises increasingly drastic measures, including a bizarre plan involving a dog after witnessing a similar situation at her job.

When Thomas secures a prestigious exhibition for his work, Signe disrupts his celebratory speech by faking an intense allergic reaction, shamelessly seeking to draw the focus back to herself.

In her search for relief and attention, Signe stumbles upon a troubling news piece regarding Lidexol, a Russian anti-anxiety medication that had been recalled due to severe side effects. Undeterred, she purchases a substantial supply from her friend Stian, her drug dealer, and quickly becomes reliant on it. As the medication begins to take a toll, she visits a doctor at Thomas’ urging but rebuffs his attempts at a thorough examination. On the same day, while Thomas is engaged in a pivotal interview with a magazine, Signe feels neglected and subsequently overdoses on Lidexol, landing herself in the hospital, much to Thomas’ dismay.

Signe’s mother encourages her to join a holistic support group tailored for individuals battling serious illnesses. Here, she faces skepticism from fellow members who question her authenticity. Nonetheless, Signe secures an interview with a major news outlet purportedly aimed at raising awareness about her condition. However, her story is quickly overshadowed by a tragic mass shooting in the news cycle. Surprisingly, the next day, her piece is featured on the front page of a leading national newspaper, which catapults her into the spotlight—culminating in a modelling contract fueled by her fabricated narrative.

As her physical health declines further due to continuous use of Lidexol, she is cast in a commercial for a fashion brand named Regardless, filmed in a museum alongside a model coping with symbrachydactyly. The day of the shoot spirals out of control when Thomas is arrested for theft, recognized by an employee from a furniture store after his notorious magazine mention as “Thomas the Thief.” In a shocking twist during the filming, Signe manages to lock her fellow model in the bathroom, only to collapse on set. Confiding in her journalist friend Marte, Signe reveals that her suffering was fabricated all along, while Thomas faces the consequences of his actions behind bars. Desperate for comfort, Signe finds her way back to the support group, continuing her charade by inventing new symptoms to share.