In a Better World 2011

Anton, portrayed by Mikael Persbrandt, is a dedicated Swedish doctor who divides his time between his home in Denmark and a challenging role in a Sudanese refugee camp. In this conflict-ridden environment, he encounters numerous female patients suffering at the hands of a sadistic warlord. Back in Denmark, he is estranged from his wife Marianne, played by Trine Dyrholm, as they grapple with the strains of their marriage following Anton’s affair. The couple shares two young sons, including the 12-year-old Elias, played by Markus Rygaard.

Introducing Christian, brought to life by William Jøhnk Juels Nielsen, who has recently relocated from London with his father Claus, portrayed by Ulrich Thomsen. Christian carries the heavy burden of grief after losing his mother to cancer, and he harbors resentment towards Claus, believing he was misled about her chances of recovery and that his father desired her death during her illness. At school, Elias finds himself a target of bullying until Christian intervenes, violently confronting the main bully with a knife. In a moment of fear and solidarity, Christian gifts the weapon to Elias, and together they fabricate a false narrative to the authorities and their parents regarding the incident.

One tense day, Anton intervenes when his younger son engages in a scuffle at a playground, but the other child’s father—a mechanic—responds with aggression, slapping Anton in a display of xenophobia. Seeking to address the conflict and stand firm, Anton visits the mechanic’s workplace alongside his children and Christian, only to endure further humiliation as the mechanic continues to insult him and strikes him repeatedly without retaliation.

Meanwhile, the narrative takes a sinister turn in Sudan when the violent warlord presents himself at Anton’s hospital for treatment. Defying his ethical principles, Anton reluctantly administers care but stipulates that no weapons and only a couple of guards are to enter the hospital. Though the warlord’s leg begins to show signs of recovery, Anton’s disgust grows as the warlord displays his vile indifference towards his victims. Ultimately, Anton takes a stand, dragging the warlord from the clinic, resulting in the man being beaten to death by vengeful locals.

Back in Denmark, an intense turn of events unfolds when Christian and Elias plan an act of revenge by creating a bomb to destroy the mechanic’s car. They choose a Sunday morning for the act, believing it would minimize potential casualties. However, when Elias sees two joggers—a mother and her young daughter—approaching, he bravely leaves behind his hiding place to ensure their safety. In the process, he is knocked unconscious, successfully preventing harm to them. Christian faces police questioning regarding the incident, which is classified as a severe case of vandalism. He visits Elias in the hospital, only to be met with hostility from Marianne, who cruelly informs him that he has caused her son’s death. Gripped by despair, Christian contemplates ending his own life atop a silo but is saved by Anton.

Fortunately, Elias survives his injuries, allowing Christian to visit him and rekindle their friendship. The story concludes with Christian mending his troubled relationship with Claus, while Anton and Marianne succumb to their shared emotions, resuming their physical intimacy and seemingly rekindling their marriage.