The Trip 2021
Directed by
Tommy Wirkola
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Lars, a discontented soap opera director, is stuck in a strained marriage with his wife, Lisa, a struggling actress. After deciding to escape for a weekend cabin trip, both secretly plot to eliminate one another. Enter Viktor, Lars’ friend, who offers to assist in their murderous schemes, hoping to claim a share of Lisa’s life insurance payout.
In a shocking turn of events, as Lars attacks Lisa with a hammer, she manages to taser him, temporarily incapacitating him. However, the dim-witted Viktor mistakenly favors Lars, only to create chaos when Lisa reveals to him that she can offer more money than Lars can. A vicious fight breaks out, leading to Lars inflicting serious wounds on Viktor. In a desperate plea from Lisa, Lars misinterprets her wishes, resulting in him accidentally shooting Viktor dead. The shot ricochets and inadvertently strikes a man hiding in the attic, knocking down three fugitives—Petter, Dave, and Roy—who had been hiding from the law.
As the confrontation escalates, Lars discovers that Dave plans to assault Lisa. Initially dismissive, Lars soon learns that Dave’s true intention was to target him. Lisa, in a panic, implores the trio for mercy, promising them a significant payout if they spare her and Lars. However, as the situation spirals, the couple find a way to break free and initiate a chaotic series of confrontations that could have cost them their lives. Luckily, Lars’ father, Mikkel, arrives just in time, tipping the scales after being alerted by his friend Hans to the bizarre happenings.
In a blood-soaked finale, Mikkel, Dave, and Roy meet their fate in brutally violent clashes, leaving only Petter to confront Lars and Lisa. Ultimately, the couple manages to overpower Petter, knocking him out and sinking his body in a nearby lake.
When the police arrive, Lars and Lisa, now united by their harrowing ordeal, spin a tale of bravery and heroism to protect their image. Capitalizing on the media frenzy surrounding their story, they embark on producing a Hollywood film, with Lars directing and Lisa gracing the screen as herself, ensuring their twisted saga is immortalized.
Timeline
Stagnant Marriage
Lars, a soap opera director, finds himself increasingly discontented in his strained marriage with Lisa, a struggling actress. Despite their shared ambitions, the couple feels trapped in their unfulfilling lives, leading to secret plans to eliminate each other.
Weekend Cabin Trip
Seeking an escape, Lars and Lisa decide to take a weekend trip to a remote cabin. Unbeknownst to each other, they both plot to get rid of the other during this getaway, setting the stage for impending chaos.
Murderous Schemes
Viktor, a friend of Lars, enters the fray, eager to assist in their deadly plans. He hopes to profit from Lisa's life insurance payout, complicating the already fraught dynamics between Lars and Lisa.
The Attack
In a brutal moment of confrontation, Lars attacks Lisa with a hammer, intending to carry out his plot. However, Lisa manages to fight back with a taser, temporarily incapacitating him and turning the tables on his aggression.
Viktor's Miscalculation
Viktor, confused about where his loyalties lie, ends up favoring Lars instead of Lisa. This decision leads to further chaos when Lisa reveals that she can offer Viktor more money than Lars, igniting tensions between them.
Chaos Erupts
As conflicts erupt, a vicious fight ensues between Lars, Viktor, and Lisa. The struggle escalates, resulting in Lars inflicting serious wounds on Viktor after a series of misunderstandings and violent exchanges.
The Fatal Shot
In a desperate turn of events, Lars misinterprets Lisa's pleas and accidentally shoots Viktor dead. The bullet ricochets and hits a man hiding in the attic, further complicating the already dire situation.
Fugitives from the Law
The bullet's ricochet brings down three fugitives—Petter, Dave, and Roy—who had been hiding in the attic. Their unexpected arrival adds more chaos to a hostile environment already filled with tension.
Dave's True Intention
Lars learns with horror that Dave has malicious plans for Lisa, although it soon becomes clear that Dave's actual target is Lars himself. Lisa panics and begs the fugitives for mercy, offering them a payout which deepens the dilemma.
Panic and Chaos
As the standoff escalates, Lars and Lisa seek a way to escape from their perilous situation. Their frantic attempts to free themselves lead to a series of confrontations that could very well cost them their lives.
Mikkel's Arrival
Fortuitously, Lars' father, Mikkel, arrives just in time, having been alerted by his friend Hans about the bizarre events. His presence tips the scales of the chaotic drama unfolding in the cabin.
Blood-Soaked Finale
In a climactic series of violent clashes, Mikkel, Dave, and Roy meet their demise. The violence escalates, leaving only Petter to confront Lars and Lisa, setting the stage for a final showdown.
Overpowering Petter
In the ultimate confrontation, Lars and Lisa manage to outsmart and overpower Petter. They knock him unconscious before disposing of his body in a nearby lake, a grim ending to their chaotic escape.
The Police Arrive
When the police finally show up, Lars and Lisa concoct a tale of heroism, spinning their narrative to craft a brave image. Their clever storytelling aims to deflect the chaos and protect their reputation amid the unfolding drama.
Hollywood Dreams
With the media frenzy surrounding their harrowing ordeal, Lars and Lisa decide to capitalize on their story. They embark on a journey to produce a Hollywood film, with Lars at the helm as director and Lisa starring as herself, ensuring their sinister saga is immortalized.
Characters
Lars (Aksel Hennie)
Lars is a discontented soap opera director, trapped in a marriage that's spiraling towards disaster. His frustration and desire for control lead him to plot against his wife, revealing a darker side fueled by desperation. As the chaos unfolds, Lars' actions showcase his complexity—oscillating between victim and villain.
Lisa (Noomi Rapace)
Lisa is a struggling actress, depicted as both vulnerable and cunning. Her desperation for financial security drives her to contemplate violence against Lars, showcasing her survival instincts. Throughout the film, she shifts from a perceived victim to an aggressive player in the deadly game between her and Lars.
Viktor (Character unknown)
Viktor, Lars' dim-witted friend, embodies misguided loyalty and greed. He becomes entangled in the couple's deadly theatrics, revealing his naivety as he misinterprets the dynamics at play. His character serves as a catalyst for the escalating violence, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
Mikkel (Nils Ole Oftebro)
Mikkel, Lars' father, adds a layer of familial connection to the chaotic narrative. His timely arrival acts as a turning point in the conflict, showcasing the complicated bonds within family ties. Mikkel's role highlights the potential for reconciliation, even amidst horror.
Petter (Atle Antonsen)
Petter is one of the fugitives hiding in the attic, whose presence introduces a new layer of danger and unpredictability to the plot's climax. His character represents the chaotic intersection of different intentions and agendas as all parties become embroiled in the violent drama.
Dave (Christian Rubeck)
Dave serves as a threatening figure in the narrative, initially believed to target Lisa but ultimately aiming for Lars. His intentions catalyze the unraveling of the couple's plans, embodying the external threats that exacerbate their internal conflict.
Roy (André Eriksen)
Roy is another fugitive caught in the crossfire of Lars and Lisa's violent struggle. He embodies the chaotic element of unintended consequences that arise when multiple layers of conflict converge. His character ultimately faces a tragic fate amidst the violence.
Hans (Tor Erik Gunstrøm)
Hans plays a crucial role as the informant who alerts Mikkel to the bizarre occurrences at the cabin. His decision to intervene highlights the theme of external influences shaping the course of the primary characters' actions and decisions.
Setting
Time period
The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as failed relationships, greed, and moral decay. This current setting enhances the relatability of the characters' struggles and choices, making their extreme actions all the more shocking.
Location
Cabin in the woods, Nearby lake
The cabin is a secluded retreat where Lars and Lisa attempt to escape their strained marriage. Nestled in the woods, it provides a backdrop for their dark plans and violent confrontations. The nearby lake becomes a significant site as it is where a body is ultimately disposed of, emphasizing the film's themes of desperation and conflict.
Themes
💔
Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme in the film, as Lars and Lisa each secretly plot to kill one another. This undermines the foundation of their marriage, showcasing how jealousy and resentment can lead to destructive actions. The involvement of Viktor further highlights the treachery that ensues when monetary gain is the motivation behind personal relationships.
🔫
Violence
Violence pervades the narrative, culminating in chaotic confrontations that define the film's climax. The initial intent to harm becomes a series of gruesome misadventures, revealing the unexpected consequences of seemingly simple decisions. The blood-soaked finale serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly situations can spiral out of control.
🎥
Media Manipulation
The couple's final act of spinning a heroic narrative to the media underscores the theme of media manipulation. They capitalize on their gruesome ordeal to secure fame and fortune, showcasing how truth can be twisted for public sympathy and self-gain. This reflects the interaction between real-life events and storytelling, especially in the age of sensationalism.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.