Beautiful Beings 2023

• The movie begins by introducing Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Svenni, as it follows the story of a teenage boy named Balli who struggles to navigate the harsh environment of his small Icelandic town. The story opens with Balli at school, where he is subjected to relentless bullying by classmates who push him around, destroy his belongings, and leave him feeling isolated and powerless. One day, while walking home, Balli is ambushed by a gang of boys, and after fighting back fiercely, he is struck in the face with a tree branch, resulting in a facial injury that forces him to wear a mask. This traumatic event underscores the intense violence and vulnerability that shadows his daily life.

At home, Balli lives with his mother and sister, Hulda, whose presence is rare, and his stepfather, Kristín Ísold Jóhannesdóttir, is in jail, leaving his family situation complex and unstable. His or his mother’s worry about the rising youth violence is reflected in a news segment they watch, which discusses how teenagers are increasingly involved in violent acts—an issue that hits painfully close to Balli’s reality. Meanwhile, Addi, played by Anita Briem, along with his friends, Siggi and Konni, are introduced as a wild, impulsive group. Addi’s mother, a clairvoyant, shares her dreams and interpretations about their future, though Addi dismisses these prophecies, adding a layer of personal skepticism to his character.

The narrative quickly establishes a pattern of destructive behavior among the boys. Konni, known for his aggressive and womanizing tendencies, is threatened by an older boy named Jónas, after finding out about his relationship with his girlfriend. The boys band together to confront Jónas, riding a moped to a local hangout, and attack him to defend Konni’s honor. This act of violence signals how their reckless actions escalate quickly from minor pranks to more serious offenses.

As the friendship deepens, they begin to spend more time at Balli’s dilapidated home, smoking cigarettes and sharing stories. Balli reveals his tragic family background: his father is deceased, and his stepfather is in prison, leaving him feeling abandoned and alone. The boys climb onto roofs of abandoned industrial buildings, where conversations about their troubled family lives unfold, especially revealing the harsh realities of Siggi and Konni—both of whom come from abusive households. Ísgerður Elfa Gunnarsdóttir as Hulda and others are seen working through their difficult pasts, indicating that these troubled histories shape their present behaviors.

In an upsetting turn, the boys play a cruel prank on a local outcast, Danni, by tricking him into snorting flour they pretend is cocaine. Theodór Pálsson as Danni Braindead then brags about his bizarre sexual encounters andviolent acts, including a disturbing claim of assaulting Balli at school. While initially dismissing his stories as jokes, the situation quickly turns violent—Konni beats Danni severely, breaking his nose, and the incident is carefully kept secret among the group.

Further trouble ensues when the boys, seeking to impress or scare others, join a party and, in their reckless youth, act out aggressively. Konni storms into a houseparty and physically assaults several partygoers, prompting a fight that leads to him knocking out an older man who threatens to call the police. Addi tries to calm him but is frustrated at his friend’s reckless behavior, deciding to distance himself from further fights.

However, peace is short-lived, and the boys soon find themselves under attack again—this time by Jónas and an older group of teens. In response, Konni enlists the help of some older boys led by Símon, played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, and a tense gathering at Balli’s house ensues. During this chaos, Addi suffers a psychic vision and witnesses an appalling scene: Símon and another friend are raping a unconscious Konni. Addi intervenes by threatening them with a shotgun belonging to Balli’s stepfather, which temporarily halts the assault. The next day, Konni denies everything, but Addi is haunted by the trauma, especially as he dreams of Konni jumping to his death from the same industrial building they once climbed—an ominous omen that reflects his fears of violence and loss.

Meanwhile, Addi’s estranged father, an alcoholic, visits him briefly, revealing a strained relationship. Kristín Ísold Jóhannesdóttir’s character shares her dreams, emphasizing the theme of premonition and the influence of subconscious fears. At the same time, Balli’s stepfather is released from prison, an event that terrifies Balli’s family, hinting at the potential for more violence. Balli confesses to Addi that he fears his stepfather’s abusive tendencies and, upon confrontation, the situation spirals out of control: Áskell Einar Pálmason as Balli’s stepfather fights back, leading to Balli striking him with a baseball bat. The assault leaves the stepfather in a vegetative state, and the boys are detained and questioned by authorities.

Viktor Benóný Benediktsson as Konni, Snorri Rafn Frímannsson as Siggi, and others face the consequences of their actions. Balli takes the blame to protect his family, and he’s placed in foster care, severing his connection from his biological home. The story closes on a poignant note as Addi visits Balli at his new foster home, observing that Balli is adjusting well, and Konni has found new friends. Siggi withdraws further into himself, obsessing with his computer. Addi and Balli share a quiet moment on a bridge over a river, signifying a bittersweet farewell but also hope for a different future.

Throughout the film, themes of bleak youth, violence, trauma, and the search for connection are explored with raw honesty, capturing the struggles faced by Icelandic teenagers caught in a cycle of violence and despair. The movie offers a stark look at the impact of broken homes, peer influence, and the haunting presence of violence that can define—and destroy—young lives.