Logo What's After the Movie
A sensitive soul, Elling, embarks on a journey of self-discovery after his mother's passing, leaving him no choice but to navigate the world beyond his sheltered existence. With newfound friend Kjell by his side, they stumble upon independence and the beauty of blossoming in their own peculiar way, as Oslo's vibrant streets become their playground for growth and exploration.

A sensitive soul, Elling, embarks on a journey of self-discovery after his mother's passing, leaving him no choice but to navigate the world beyond his sheltered existence. With newfound friend Kjell by his side, they stumble upon independence and the beauty of blossoming in their own peculiar way, as Oslo's vibrant streets become their playground for growth and exploration.

Does Elling have end credit scenes?

No!

Elling does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Elling

Explore the complete cast of Elling, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Elling

See how Elling is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Elling stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

70

Metascore

5.4

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

85%

TOMATOMETER

review

91%

User Score

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Elling Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Elling with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Exploring Elling: A Journey of Friendship and Growth: Test your knowledge on the touching story of Elling and Kjell as they navigate life's challenges in a new environment.

What is Elling's biggest struggle at the beginning of the movie?

Awards & Nominations for Elling

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Elling, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Elling and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


74th Academy Awards 2002

Nomination

Foreign Language Film

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Elling

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Elling, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In this heartwarming tale, the central figure, Elling, a man in his 40s grappling with generalized anxiety, faces the daunting challenge of adapting to life in society. His struggles with anxiety, dizziness, and neurotic tendencies have kept him from living independently for years. Following the death of his mother, which leaves a significant void, the authorities relocate him from his lifelong home to an institution.

There, he meets his roommate, the naïve and sex-obsessed Kjell Bjarne. Their contrasting personalities lead to a unique friendship as the Norwegian government facilitates their transition to a shared apartment in Oslo. However, each day presents obstacles, and they must demonstrate their ability to engage with the world and live relatively normal lives.

With the nurturing support of social worker Frank, Elling and Kjell begin to navigate the challenges ahead. Together, they forge new friendships that encourage them to break free from their personal limitations. As time passes, Elling discovers his talent as a rebellious poet, giving him a newfound sense of identity and purpose. Meanwhile, Kjell finds companionship with a pregnant woman struggling with a drinking issue, igniting a tender romance that brings light into his life.

The film culminates in a profound friendship between the two men, who embark on a hopeful new chapter brimming with possibilities and optimism. Through their experiences, they learn that with support and understanding, it’s possible to overcome the hurdles that life presents.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Elling

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Elling. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Elling - Trailer

Cars Featured in Elling

See 18 more

Explore all cars featured in Elling, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Audi

1999

A6 Avant C5

BMW

1991

318i E36

BMW

1982

5 E28

Buick

1958

Century

Chrysler

1992

Voyager

Citroën

1991

ZX

Ford

1991

Courier MkI

Ford

1983

Sierra Stasjonsvogn MkI

Mercedes-Benz

1999

E 220 CDI W210

Mercedes-Benz

1995

Sprinter T1N

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


male virginchristmas evecharacter name as titleone word titlegentle giantfriendshipvirginvomitingmental illnesssex obsessionbased on novelsauerkrautwatching tvreference to nirvanacia central intelligence agencyshy manadult male virginadult virginpoetmotorcycletoolboxloss of virginitywritingwidowerwatching a moviewaitressvirginityurinationurinaltropical islandtraintraffic stoptoilettelephone callsunglassesstorytellingstepfather stepson relationshipstatuespiritual guidespaniardsouth polesoup kitchensocial democratshynesssalvation armyroadblockrestaurantreincarnationrapistrain

© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.