What Is Falcons About?
The premise of Falcons in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the stark, windswept expanse of Iceland, a land where the horizon seems to stretch into an endless silence, a man returns to the place of his mother’s birth with a heavy heart. Simon, an enigmatic figure marked by a shadowed past, seeks the most isolated corner of the world as a refuge from his own memories. The landscape—raw, beautiful, and unforgiving—mirrors his internal quest for solitude, setting a tone that feels both haunting and profoundly intimate.
Amid the quiet village he encounters a young woman whose presence is as enigmatic as the surrounding fjords. Dúa tends a caged falcon, a creature that embodies a fragile hope against the cold. Her fascination with the bird, coupled with an unconventional belief in the stars, creates a striking contrast to Simon’s grounded, pragmatic demeanor. An unspoken connection grows between them, hinting at deeper ties that neither can fully name, and their differing outlooks weave a delicate tension that drives their interaction.
Compelled by a mixture of curiosity and a reluctant sense of responsibility, the pair decides to leave the isolated Icelandic coast behind, heading for the bustling streets of Hamburg. With the falcon—an emblem of Icelandic heritage and a relic of Viking trade—slung between them, they embark on a journey that blurs the line between escape and pursuit. The city’s restless energy offers a stark counterpoint to the stark quiet of their homeland, promising both new possibilities and fresh uncertainties.
The film’s atmosphere balances stark natural beauty with urban restlessness, underscored by a lingering sense of yearning. As the characters navigate their uncertain bond, the story invites viewers to ponder themes of redemption, identity, and the fragile ties that bind strangers together, all while the falcon’s silent flight hints at a freedom that remains just out of reach.
What Happens in Falcons?
The complete story of Falcons, from the first scene to the last, in 315 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Simon, Keith Carradine, an ex-convict, returns to Iceland—the land of his mother’s birth—to visit relatives and search for the loneliest place in the world to end his life. In a quiet village, he meets Dúa, Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir, a young Icelandic woman whose presence is at once captivating and peculiar. Dúa tends a caged falcon she hopes to tame, a symbol of life she clings to, but keeping such a bird in captivity is illegal, and their budding connection soon treads on dangerous ground.
Simon becomes a protective influence for Dúa, and he grows convinced that she might be his illegitimate daughter. This belief deepens their bond even as tension simmers between them—Simon’s practical, earthbound temperament clashes with Dúa’s astrological beliefs, and she views him as a classic Scorpio, avoiding a deeper commitment partly because of the fear of paternity.
Seeking a fresh start, the pair escapes to Hamburg, Germany, where they try to leave their past behind. The falcon remains central to their fragile partnership, a precious remnant of Icelandic life that travels with them and holds significant monetary value. As money runs out, Simon tries to sell the bird to cover their expenses, but he is cheated by crooked Germans and the falcon is stolen.
A gun found in a local bar becomes a turning point. Simon confronts the men who cheated him, shooting them and wounding himself in the process. Meanwhile, Dúa discovers Simon’s tape recorder and realizes that he believes she is his daughter, a revelation that adds another layer of complexity to their already strained relationship.
In a tense sequence, Simon returns the falcon to Dúa but collapses in the street from his injuries. Dúa reassures him that he was a good man and a potential father, even as he dies. With his death, she ultimately frees the falcon, letting the bird reclaim its own place outside the chaos they endured.
Falcons Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Simon returns to Iceland seeking solitude and suicide” to “Dúa releases the falcon”. 12 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Simon returns to Iceland seeking solitude and suicide
An ex-convict named Simon returns to Iceland, where his mother was born, to visit relatives and seek out the loneliest place to commit suicide. He moves through the quiet village while grappling with his past and the sense of finality he seeks. The opening mood establishes his isolation and the emptiness he hopes to escape.
When:beginning Where:Iceland, small village
- 2
Simon meets Dúa in the village
In a chance encounter, Simon meets Dúa, a young Icelandic woman with a curious, enigmatic air. Their first exchanges hint at an unusual connection that will pull them together. Dúa tends a caged falcon she hopes to tame, despite the legal trouble of keeping it in captivity.
When:early Where:Iceland
- 3
The bond deepens as Simon suspects paternity
A fragile bond forms as Simon becomes convinced that Dúa may be his illegitimate daughter, shaping his protective stance toward her. The idea intensifies the tension between them, balancing care with uncertainty. Dúa's own quirks and astrology beliefs complicate the potential for a deeper relationship.
When:early-mid Where:Iceland
- 4
The falcon's meaning and danger
The falcon symbolizes a last link to Iceland and a valuable, dangerous possession. Their relationship is tested by the bird’s value and the danger of keeping it in captivity. The sense of obligation and risk drives their decisions in the early days.
When:early-mid Where:Iceland
- 5
Escape to Hamburg, Germany
They flee Iceland to Hamburg, Germany, hoping for a fresh start away from past troubles. In this new city, Simon's practical nature clashes with Dúa's eccentric worldview rooted in astrology. The journey marks the shift from a tentative bond to a shared plan.
When:mid Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 6
The falcon travels with them
The falcon travels with them, carrying both emotional significance and financial value. They navigate unfamiliar territory, trying to secure money while protecting the bird. The bond between the two deepens as they depend on each other to survive.
When:mid Where:Germany (en route to Hamburg)
- 7
The falcon sale goes wrong
As money runs short, Simon tries to sell the falcon to cover expenses, but he is cheated by crooked Germans. The bird is ultimately stolen, leaving them exposed and devastated. The theft intensifies their precarious situation in a foreign land.
When:late Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 8
Confrontation in a Hamburg bar
In a local Hamburg bar, Simon finds a gun and confronts the men who swindled him. He shoots both assailants, but sustains injuries himself in the process. The violent act marks a turning point, revealing the fragile line between protection and self-destruction.
When:late Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 9
Dúa learns of the paternity belief
Dúa uncovers Simon's tape recorder and realizes he believes she is his daughter, explaining his guarded protectiveness. The revelation reshapes their dynamic and casts a pall over their fragile trust. She must decide how to respond to his dangerous mix of care and delusion.
When:late Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 10
Simon attempts to return the falcon and collapses
Back on the street, Simon attempts to return the falcon to Dúa but collapses from his injuries sustained in the bar confrontation. He dies before he can explain himself fully, leaving Dúa with questions and a sense of loss. The moment seals the tragedy of their ill-fated escape.
When:end Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 11
Dúa offers a final reassurance
On the street, as his wounds worsen, Dúa reassures Simon that he was a good man and a potential father. Her words reflect the tenderness that survived their troubled relationship even as the tragedy unfolds. The moment underscores the human cost of their escape.
When:end Where:Hamburg, Germany
- 12
Dúa releases the falcon
Following his death, Dúa releases the falcon, letting it reclaim its freedom and symbolizing the end of their troubled life in exile. The bird takes flight, closing the chapter on their desperate bid for renewal. The final act frees both the memory of Iceland and the couple's failed plan.
When:end Where:Hamburg, Germany
Who Are the Main Characters in Falcons?
5 characters, among them Simon (Keith Carradine), Dúa (Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir) and Uncle Tóti (Pétur Ólafsson): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Simon (Keith Carradine)
Played by Keith Carradine
A recently released ex-convict who returns to Iceland to visit his mother’s birthplace, seeking the loneliest place to commit suicide. He forms a protective bond with Dúa and becomes convinced she might be his daughter, a belief that guides his decisions. Practical and down-to-earth, he clashes with Dúa’s mysticism as they struggle to survive the journey from Iceland to Hamburg. His attempt to fund their escape by selling the falcon leads to a violent confrontation and ultimately his death.
- 🧭 Antihero
- 💔 Tragic
- D(
Dúa (Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir)
Played by Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir
An Icelandic young woman who tends a caged falcon and clings to a world shaped by astrology. She forms a complex bond with Simon, believing he could be her father while also protecting the falcon she loves as a remnant of Icelandic life. Her beliefs and resilience clash with Simon’s practicality, and her care for the falcon makes the bird a symbol of hope and danger alike. Their escape to Hamburg tests her patience and independence.
- 🪶 Falcon bond
- 💫 Enigmatic
- UT
Uncle Tóti (Pétur Ólafsson)
Played by Pétur Ólafsson
Dúa’s uncle, who found the falcon with a broken wing and nurtured it as a link to life back in Iceland. His decision to entrust the bird to Dúa sets the emotional center of the story and explains the falcon’s strong significance. Although a minor presence, his actions ripple through the plot as trouble follows the couple to Hamburg.
- 👴 Relative
- 🧭 Family Ties
- C(
Cop (Ingvar E. Sigurðsson)
Played by Ingvar E. Sigurðsson
A pragmatic lawman who embodies the conflict between order and chaos in the story’s urban corridors. He appears amid the tension of the bar scene and the cross-border chase, representing the blunt force of authority that complicates the protagonists’ fragile escape. His presence underscores the film’s themes of law, consequence, and survival.
- 👮 Lawman
- 🕳️ Authority
- N(
Nurse (Ragnheiður Steindórsdóttir)
Played by Ragnheiður Steindórsdóttir
A compassionate figure who appears in care scenes, providing human warmth amid the film’s harsh realities. The nurse’s presence underscores the vulnerability of the central characters and the fragile line between safety and danger in their perilous journey. Her role adds an element of ordinary care in an otherwise perilous world.
- 🩺 Caregiver
- 💖 Compassion
Where and When Is Falcons Set?
Falcons is set in Iceland (small village), Hamburg and Germany. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
Set in a contemporary late-20th-century setting, the narrative moves between rural Iceland and the port city of Hamburg. The story relies on everyday life, cross-border movement, and grim choices rather than explicit historical events. The mood is defined by personal stakes, survival, and evolving relationships rather than a specific year.
Where
Iceland (small village), Hamburg, Germany
The story unfolds in a small Icelandic village, a stark, isolated setting that frames the protagonist’s desperation. It then shifts to Hamburg, Germany, an urban, morally gray environment where the characters seek a new start. The journey between these places centers on a cherished falcon that ties memory to survival and drives the plot toward conflict.
- 🗺️ Nordic landscapes
- 🏙️ Urban contrast
What Are the Themes of Falcons?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity & Paternity, Bond & Falcon and Despair & Death.
-
01
Identity & Paternity
Simon’s certainty that Dúa might be his daughter drives a complex, protective bond between them. The film probes questions of belonging, lineage, and what makes a family, especially as their pasts collide with present loyalties. The evolving dynamic tests trust, responsibilities, and the boundaries of love.
-
02
Bond & Falcon
Dúa’s falcon stands as a tangible link to Iceland and a personal lifeline. The bird’s value becomes a catalyst for greed and danger once the couple flees to Hamburg. The falcon’s fate—being stolen and later released—mirrors the fragility of their fragile new life and the couple’s fragile trust.
-
03
Despair & Death
The film opens with a search for the loneliest place to end one’s life, setting a tone of existential dread. A confrontation in a bar leads to violence and injury, culminating in Simon’s death and the sense that redemption is possible only through self-sacrifice and release. Dúa’s final act of releasing the falcon marks a difficult but hopeful closure.
What Kind of Film Is Falcons?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A melancholic and atmospheric drama that follows two lost souls forming a fragile bond amid desperation and crime, building to a tense and ultimately bittersweet conclusion centered on redemption and release.
- melancholic
- lonely
- tense
- reflective
- hopeful
- atmospheric
- suicidal ideation
- found family
- redemption
- father-daughter relationship
Content notes: suicide, gun violence, animal captivity.
Quiz
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Where to Watch Falcons
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