What Is As It Is in Heaven About?
The premise of As It Is in Heaven in 319 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the far‑north reaches of Sweden, a small, windswept village clings to its traditions while the surrounding landscape hums with an unspoken yearning. The town’s quiet rhythm is punctuated by the echoes of a modest church choir, whose rehearsals drift through the streets like a gentle hymn. Against this backdrop, the film settles into a tone that is both contemplative and tender, allowing each breath of wind and each lingering note to speak to the larger human desire for connection.
Daniel Daréus arrives from the world’s grandest concert halls bearing the weight of a celebrated career and a suddenly fragile heart. After a sudden health crisis forces him to step away from the spotlight, he retreats to the remote community of his childhood—a place marked by memories of bullying and isolation. Here he purchases the old elementary school, seeking solace in routine and the simple act of listening, while quietly confronting the ghosts of his past. His reputation precedes him, yet the villagers watch him with a mix of curiosity and guarded skepticism.
It is the local choir that first pulls him into the heart of the town. When Lena catches his eye among the singers, a subtle, unspoken bond begins to form, hinting at a romance that could blossom amid the choir’s rehearsals. The ensemble itself is a mosaic of personalities—each member carrying their own hopes, doubts, and unvoiced stories. As Daniel steps into the role of conductor, his passion for music becomes a catalyst, encouraging the community to open its doors, share its hidden longings, and find harmony beyond the notes on the page.
The film weaves a lyrical atmosphere where the tension between personal fragility and collective aspiration feels palpable. It suggests that the power of music may unlock doors both within and between hearts, inviting viewers to wonder how a single conductor’s quiet return could ripple through a village still searching for its own voice.
What Happens in As It Is in Heaven?
The complete story of As It Is in Heaven, from the first scene to the last, in 660 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Daniel Daréus is a successful and renowned international conductor whose life goal is to create music that will open people’s hearts. Yet his own heart is frail after a recent heart attack on stage. He retreats from the spotlight to the remote village in Norrland, in the far north of Sweden, returning to the place where he endured a painful childhood filled with bullying. There, he purchases the old elementary school and begins to ease back into life through the simple act of listening. One Thursday night, the village invites him to hear their local choir, a gesture that hints at more than just feedback. He agrees to listen, and soon the dynamic of a community full of secrets and longing starts to pull him in.
Lena catches his attention almost immediately as their paths cross within the choir’s world. As they grow closer, a quiet love begins to bloom, and Daniel finds himself rediscovering the pure joy of making music. But the village is rich with intertwining personal troubles that colour every note they sing. Inger is married to the respected minister, Stig, yet their relationship lacks genuine intimacy, leaving a gap that the choir’s harmony can’t quite fill. Siv moves through life with a stern moral gaze, unable to loosen the reins of restraint long enough to truly enjoy herself.
Arne is driven by an almost manic desire for the choir’s triumph, he fixes on tiny mistakes and overlooks larger flaws in his own approach. Tore is an outcast who is slowly welcomed into the fold, a reminder of the village’s capacity for inclusion. Holmfrid has endured taunts since childhood, nicknamed “Fatso,” but he eventually finds the courage to stand up to the pressures around him. The lines between support and danger blur as Gabriella suffers abuse at the hands of her husband, Conny, a truth known to the entire village yet often ignored.
The tension spirals as Conny’s past intersects with today: he blames the choir—and Daniel—for his wife’s decision to leave, and he lashes out, leaving Daniel scarred enough to land him in jail after a brutal confrontation. The village’s minister, [Stig], grows jealous of the choir’s rising success and attempts to shut them down, a move that only amplifies the tension until his own nerves fracture under the strain. Despite these storms, the choir earns a place in the annual festival, the famous Let the Peoples Sing, with Arne having registered them without full consensus, a decision that echoes the village’s fractured dynamics. They travel to Innsbruck, Austria, where the performance becomes a crucible for everybody involved.
As the day of the competition arrives, Lena fears that Daniel will drift away again toward the more dazzling world of his high-society musical peers, especially after she sees him sharing a moment with such friends. In a heartfelt, long-awaited confession, he tells her he loves her, and they share a private moment of tenderness. Yet the moment of truth collides with fear when Daniel, overwhelmed by anxiety, disappears from the stage. He experiences another heart episode, rushing to a restroom where a fall against a pipe opens a fatal wound. Bleeding, he lies on the cold tile as the choir’s harmonies wash over the audience, the music rising to accompany him as he loses consciousness. The crowd’s enchantment mirrors the magic he sought to create, even as the man who began the journey slips away. The audience unites, moved by the power of their sound and the emotional weight of the moment.
In the final, almost dreamlike sequence, Daniel runs through a field of wheat toward his younger self, lifting that version of him up in triumph. It is a quiet, cinematic affirmation of his lifelong mission: to use music to unlock another heart. The image lingers as a testament to a life spent teaching, healing, and giving, a life that ends where it began, with a single, transformative choice to share music that opens a heart.
As It Is in Heaven Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Heart attack ends Daniel's stage career” to “Final vision: wheat fields and the lifelong goal”. 14 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Heart attack ends Daniel's stage career
Daniel Daréus suffers a heart attack on stage at the end of a performance, forcing him to retire from his international conducting career. The health scare reshapes his sense of purpose and drives him away from the spotlight. He retreats to the remote Norrland village to find quiet and heal.
When:End of a performance Where:Stage (concert hall)
- 2
Return to Norrland and purchase of the old school
He relocates to the northern village, seeking a quiet life away from fame. He buys the old elementary school, signaling a new start in a place that haunts his childhood. He begins to imagine making music in a community setting rather than on grand stages.
When:After retirement Where:Norrland village
- 3
Thursday night invitation to listen to the choir
The villagers invite him to listen to their local choir on a Thursday night, hoping for guidance. He agrees, sensing potential but wary of returning to public life. This invitation becomes the doorway to his renewed involvement with music.
When:Thursday night Where:Village
- 4
Daniel agrees to help and pursues cantor role
Daniel volunteers to help the choir and pursues the position of cantor by approaching the parish minister. He accepts the role despite lingering doubts, marking a turning point from observer to mentor. His decision begins a transformation of the choir and of himself.
When:Shortly after Thursday invitation Where:Village / Church
- 5
Reigniting the choir and finding joy in music
As he works with the choir, Daniel relearns the joy of making music and reconnects with the village through performances. The ensemble grows under his direction, and the town's mood lightens as they improve. This period sets the stage for deeper emotional ties within the community.
Where:Village
- 6
Lena enters and a romance develops
Lena, a young choir member, captures Daniel's attention and they grow closer. Their relationship deepens as he navigates his past and the villagers' problems. The romance becomes a source of personal happiness amid communal challenges.
When:As they grow closer Where:Village
- 7
Unveiled village troubles
Daniel becomes aware of the villagers' intertwined troubles: loveless marriage, moral rigidity, and ambition within the choir. He sees how secrets and pain threaten the harmony of the community and its music. The weight of these personal stories adds urgency to his work as a mentor.
Where:Village
- 8
Gabriella's abuse and Conny's past ties
Gabriella endures abuse from her husband Conny, a fact the village often ignores. It is revealed that Conny is the bully from Daniel's school days who drove him from the village. This revelation foreshadows the violence to come and binds Daniel's fate to the village's darkest secrets.
Where:Gabriella's home / village
- 9
Conny's attack on Daniel and his imprisonment
Conny confronts Daniel, old resentments erupt, and Daniel is beaten. The town's tensions flare as personal vendettas intersect with the choir's ascent, and Conny ends up in jail. The incident sows fear and complicates the community’s future.
Where:Village
- 10
Minister's jealousy and bid to close the choir
Stig, the village minister, becomes jealous of the choir's growing success and attempts to shut them down. His action reveals the clash between institutional authority and the community's cultural heart. Yet the choir's resilience keeps them moving forward.
Where:Village / Church
Show the other 4 events of As It Is in Heaven Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Registration for Let the Peoples Sing and trip to Innsbruck
Arne registers the choir for the Let the Peoples Sing competition without consulting others, and the group travels to Innsbruck, Austria, to perform on the international stage. The journey elevates the village's hopes and tests their unity. This marks a formal entry into a larger musical world.
When:Before competition Where:Innsbruck, Austria
- 12
Romantic confession and intimacy before the competition
Lena fears Daniel will leave her for his world-famous friends as they witness his interactions with others. Daniel finally confesses his love for Lena and they share an intimate moment. This personal revelation deepens his commitment to the choir and to Lena.
When:Before the competition Where:Innsbruck area / backstage
- 13
Competition day and Daniel's final illness
On the day of the competition, Daniel is nowhere to be found on stage, overwhelmed by anxiety. He suffers another heart attack and collapses in the restroom, blood pooling as the choir's harmonies play over the loudspeakers. The audience remains captivated by the moment despite his absence.
When:Day of the competition Where:Innsbruck auditorium
- 14
Final vision: wheat fields and the lifelong goal
The final scene shows Daniel rushing through the wheat fields toward his younger self, lifting him in triumph. He has achieved his lifelong goal to create music that opens people's hearts. The moment blends memory, faith, and a hopeful sense of reconciliation.
When:Final scene Where:Wheat fields (final scene)
Who Are the Main Characters in As It Is in Heaven?
10 characters, among them Daniel Daréus (Michael Nyqvist), Lena (Frida Hallgren) and Tore (André Sjöberg): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Daniel Daréus (Michael Nyqvist)
Played by Michael Nyqvist
A renowned international conductor who suffers a heart attack and retreats to a northern Swedish village. He carries the burden of a painful childhood spent being bullied, which shapes his cautious but passionate personality. He seeks to use music to heal others while rediscovering his own joy. He is reserved, deeply empathetic, and brave enough to face hidden hurts in the community.
- 🎭 Complex
- ❤️ Romantic
- 🧠 Reflective
- L(
Lena (Frida Hallgren)
Played by Frida Hallgren
A young choir member who catches Daniel’s eye; she is open, caring, and passionate about music. They fall in love, and she hopes the relationship can endure Daniel’s ties to the musical world. She confronts insecurities about Daniel’s future and remains a steady source of warmth for the choir.
- ❤️ Romantic
- 🌟 Hopeful
- 🎶 Musical
- T(
Tore (André Sjöberg)
Played by André Sjöberg
A vulnerable, mentally challenged member of the choir who is initially shunned but gradually included. His presence softens the group’s dynamics and highlights the village’s capacity for compassion. He embodies resilience and the need for belonging within a community that often excludes.
- 💪 Resilient
- 🫂 Inclusive
- 🧩 Gentle
- A(
Arne (Lennart Jähkel)
Played by Lennart Jähkel
Ambitious for the choir’s success and perfectionist about tiny details, he overlooks larger moral failings. His competitive drive creates tension within the group and with Daniel. He represents the dangers of ego and narrow vision in a community striving for harmony.
- 🧠 Critical
- ⚖️ Ambitious
- 🗣️ Blunt
- S(
Stig (Niklas Falk)
Played by Niklas Falk
The village minister whose jealousy of the choir fuels attempts to shut it down. He experiences a nervous breakdown as the choir’s influence grows, illustrating how power fears being challenged by art. His arc reveals the fragility of authority in the face of communal healing.
- 🎭 Authority
- 🔒 Jealousy
- 🧠 Flawed
- I(
Inger (Ingela Olsson)
Played by Ingela Olsson
Married to the minister, she struggles with a loveless marriage but demonstrates quiet strength and empathy. Her perspective helps the community confront its moral blind spots. She supports the choir and the people around her, seeking deeper connection.
- 💔 Unfulfilled
- ❤️🔥 Complex relationships
- 🗣️ Voice
- C(
Conny (Per Morberg)
Played by Per Morberg
Gabriella’s abusive husband, a bully who blames the choir for his wife’s choices. His hostility culminates in violence and legal consequences, revealing the danger of unchecked aggression. He embodies the destructive edges of domestic conflict within the village.
- 💥 Abuser
- 🔒 Controlling
- 🫨 Absence of empathy
- G(
Gabriella (Helen Sjöholm)
Played by Helen Sjöholm
Beaten by her husband, she finds the strength to leave and seeks safety and independence. Her courage becomes a catalyst for change in the village, as neighbors rally to support her. Her resilience demonstrates how personal courage can inspire communal solidarity.
- 💪 Survivor
- ❤️ Resilient
- 🫂 Support
- H(
Holmfrid (Mikael Rahm)
Played by Mikael Rahm
A member who endures being called 'Fatso' by Arne, Holmfrid gradually asserts his voice and dignity. He shows quiet fortitude in the face of ridicule and contributes to the choir’s warmth. His arc highlights the importance of standing up for oneself within a community.
- 🧠 Courage
- 🗣️ Voice
- 🫂 Dignity
- S(
Siv (Ylva Lööf)
Played by Ylva Lööf
A morally rigid member who clings to strict boundaries, sometimes to the detriment of personal joy. She embodies the village’s moral tension and the conflict between propriety and freedom. Her presence keeps the group honest, even if it creates friction.
- 🧭 Morality
- 🫧 Repression
- 💬 Judgment
Where and When Is As It Is in Heaven Set?
As It Is in Heaven is set in Norrland, Sweden, Innsbruck and Austria (Early 2000s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 2000s
Set in a contemporary era, the film chronicles a year in the life of villagers balancing tradition with modern pressures. The calendar centers around church gatherings, school memories, and an annual singing competition that catalyzes change. The pacing follows Daniel's personal transformation as he reconnects with his passion for music.
Where
Norrland, Sweden, Innsbruck, Austria
The story centers on a remote village in Norrland, Sweden, where a closed community faces its hidden wounds through music. The derelict elementary school near Daniel’s retreat becomes a hub for healing and renewal. The trip to Innsbruck for Let the Peoples Sing contrasts rural life with an international stage, highlighting the power of shared art to unite people.
- ❄️ Rural village
- 🏔️ Northern Sweden
- 🏰 Alpine Austria
What Are the Themes of As It Is in Heaven?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Healing through Music, Community and Secrets and Redemption and Growth.
-
01
Healing through Music
Music acts as the language that heals wounds and bridges divides. Daniel’s conducting rekindles hope in the choir and frees villagers to confront their pain. The Let the Peoples Sing performance becomes a cathartic moment where private sufferings turn into communal beauty. The theme presents art as a pathway to openness and emotional growth.
-
02
Community and Secrets
The village conceals abuse, jealousy, and old grudges beneath its cheerful surface. As the choir grows, power struggles and moral failings come to light, forcing people to choose accountability. The community learns to stand up for the vulnerable, especially Gabriella, and to reconcile with a painful history. Secrets, once hidden, are transformed into shared responsibility.
-
03
Redemption and Growth
Daniel returns to the village bearing scars from the past, seeking to give others a chance at healing. He confronts old bullies and redefines success through empathy rather than fame. His ultimate goal—opening a heart through music—becomes a personal and communal rebirth. The ending frames growth as a lifelong journey sparked by courage and forgiveness.
What Kind of Film Is As It Is in Heaven?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A bittersweet and heartfelt drama about a damaged composer finding redemption and love by healing a fractured small-town community through music, culminating in a tragic yet uplifting finale.
- hopeful
- melancholic
- uplifting
- contemplative
- intimate
- tragic
- small town life
- community choir
- second chances
- healing through art
Content notes: domestic abuse, fatal illness, bullying.
Quiz
How well do you remember As It Is in Heaven? Test yourself on the story.
