What Is Hemel About?
The premise of Hemel in 312 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet, wind‑swept streets of contemporary Holland, a young woman in her mid‑twenties drifts from one fleeting connection to the next, chasing a restless appetite for new experiences. Hemel moves through cafés, apartments and social gatherings with a candor that feels both rebellious and vulnerable, her outlook on love distilled into a simple mantra: relationships exist as long as they last. The city itself becomes a backdrop for her unguarded moments, a place where intimacy is as common as the rain that often falls on the cobblestones.
At the core of her world lies an unusually close bond with her father, a dapper auctioneer whose own history is marked by loss and a series of younger romances. Gijs has long been the anchor of Hemel’s defiant independence, offering a mix of tenderness and unfiltered honesty that shapes her perception of family and desire. When his attention begins to shift toward a charismatic new partner, the balance of their relationship is subtly tested, prompting Hemel to confront the fragile line between devotion and rivalry.
Surrounding them is a circle of friends and acquaintances who echo Hemel’s philosophy while also reflecting the contradictions of modern Dutch life. From lively dinner parties that flicker between camaraderie and awkwardness, to conversations that pry open the mechanics of desire, each encounter hints at deeper questions about loyalty, ownership, and the limits of personal freedom. The film’s tone wavers between breezy, almost playful banter and moments of quiet introspection, inviting viewers to feel the pulse of a generation navigating emotional turbulence.
Together, these strands weave a portrait of a young woman perched on the edge of certainty and risk, and a father whose openness forces both to reconsider what it truly means to know another person—and themselves. The atmosphere remains intimate yet expansive, promising a journey that balances sensual exploration with the tender complexities of familial love.
What Happens in Hemel?
The complete story of Hemel, from the first scene to the last, in 851 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Hemel, Hannah Hoekstra, is a young Dutch woman in her mid-twenties who moves through life with a restless appetite for new experiences, often turning to one-night stands with strangers. She shares a notably close, almost defiant bond with her father, Hans Dagelet Gijs, a man who carries the weight of his own emotional history. When Hemel joins him for a dinner party, the atmosphere turns awkward as she witnesses his breakup with his girlfriend, Emma, Eva Duijvestein just before the guests arrive. The moment casts a shadow over the table and sets the tone for a day-to-day life that feels uneasy yet candidly intimate.
In the bathroom after the party, Hemel speaks frankly to Emma about the fleeting nature of relationships, a conversation that cuts to the heart of Hemel’s philosophy: relationships last as long as they last. Emma, Eva Duijvestein argues that Hemel maybe takes more than she gives, a critique that echoes through Hemel’s subsequent actions. The tension between what Hemel desires and what those around her are willing to offer becomes a through-line, guiding choices that feel impulsive yet emotionally charged.
A few nights later, Hemel’s restless streak leads her to a new encounter with a stranger named Jimmy, Ali Ben Horsting. What begins as a casual hook-up quickly turns violent when Jimmy strangles and then rapes her, an act that shatters the veneer of casual sexual daring and leaves Hemel grappling with fear, anger, and a raw sense of violation.
Hemel’s path then takes her to Teun’s birthday party, where she directly challenges Teun’s Christian girlfriend, Annabella, Elske Rotteveel. Hemel argues that suppressing one’s desires in favor of marital virtue is a waste, pressing Annabella to confront the future she may be choosing by restraint rather than passion. The confrontation underscores Hemel’s belief in a more expansive, if precarious, approach to love and loyalty.
Parallel to Hemel’s personal escapades, her father Gijs navigates a complicated triangle of affection and sexuality with Sophie, Rifka Lodeizen, a skilled auctioneer who becomes central in his life. Gijs gifts Sophie a ring inscribed with the phrase “You make me human.” He invites Sophie to join Hemel on her birthday, but before that moment, he confesses that Hemel was almost an accident and that her mother took her own life, a revelation that unsettles Hemel and tests her sense of belonging in her father’s world. Hemel’s reaction is a mix of hostility toward Sophie and a fierce, protective longing for her father’s attention.
The two of them attend an opera together, a scene that briefly binds them in a shared, moving moment as they hold hands before drifting apart. Outside, the smoke of a cigarette marks a fragile, intimate pause between them, a moment that hints at how close they are and how far apart they might remain.
Hemel then embarks on an affair with Douwe, Mark Rietman the husband of one of Gijs’s colleagues, Brechtje. She is surprised to learn that Douwe has had only a few sexual partners, and he confesses that she is the only woman he has ever cheated with because he has never felt that betraying the intimacy with his wife was worth it. Hemel is charmed by him, yet unsettled when he makes clear that their relationship will never last, a reality that clashes with her desire for something lasting and undeniable.
A holiday to Sevilla, Spain, followed, with Gijs and Hemel continuing to test the boundaries of their mutual honesty. They share a bathroom and move around each other with a surprising ease, even naked, challenging Hemel’s sense of propriety and desire. Gijs explains that Sophie will be living in his house, which deepens Hemel’s insecurity, and when Hemel asks why he loves Sophie, he answers that he has nothing to hide from her. Hemel, in turn, defines love as knowing the same things about the other person, a philosophy that increasingly collides with the complexities of their lives. The trip leads Hemel to a stark moment of gaze and fear as she tearfully admits that she once watched a man commit suicide by jumping from a building. That night, Gijs wakes her and carries her to the toilet to urinate, helping her with a difficult, intimate moment, even pulling down her underwear. The next morning, Hemel stands at the edge of a rooftop, peering into the void before she finally leaves, a visual echo of her internal push-pull between safety and risk.
Back home in the Netherlands, Hemel stands in the rain outside Douwe’s house, watching for his return. When he leaves, she knocks on the door, only to be answered by Brechtje, Barbara Sarafian, who reveals Douwe isn’t home. Brechtje’s quiet, empathetic response—drying Hemel’s tears and offering a hug—becomes a surprising moment of tenderness in a life otherwise dominated by volatile emotions and ambiguous loyalties. Across the film, Hemel’s encounters with love, power, and vulnerability reveal a young woman who tests the boundaries of affection and ownership, while Gijs’s quiet, almost clinical openness about his desires and his past invites Hemel to question what it means to truly know someone—and to know oneself.
Hemel Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Dinner party and a painful breakup” to “Return to the Netherlands and a confrontation at Douwe's house”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Dinner party and a painful breakup
Hemel attends a dinner party with her father and witnesses him break up with his girlfriend Emma just beforehand, creating an awkward scene. The moment reveals the strained dynamics around Gijs relationships and foreshadows Hemel own challenges with commitment. The tense atmosphere sets the mood for what follows in the evening.
When:evening before the party Where:Gijs house
- 2
Bathroom conversation about relationships
Hemel speaks with her father's girlfriend in the bathroom offering a blunt view on relationships by saying relationships last as long as they last. The other woman accuses Hemel of taking more than she gives, highlighting Hemel own self centered approach to love. The conversation shows how personal boundaries are tested within their circle.
When:during the dinner party Where:Gijs house bathroom
- 3
Violent first encounter with a stranger
Hemel goes home with a stranger named Jimmy for a one night stand. The encounter turns violent when Jimmy strangles and rapes her, shattering her sense of safety and marking a pivotal traumatic event in her life.
When:night Where:Hemel home
- 4
Teun birthday party and Annabella confrontation
After the assault Hemel attends Teun birthday party and confronts his Christian girlfriend Annabella, telling her that suppressing lust is a waste. She challenges Annabella beliefs, exposing Hemel own discomfort with moral judgments.
When:after the assault Where:Teun birthday party
- 5
Auction house revelations and a ring
At the auction house where he works Gijs gives his girlfriend Sophie a ring that says You make me human and invites her to meet Hemel on her birthday. Before that meeting he tells Sophie that Hemel was an accident and that her mother committed suicide. The revelation unsettles Sophie and heightens Hemel possessiveness.
When:before Hemel birthday Where:Auction house
- 6
Opera night and a rare moment of closeness
Hemel and her father attend an opera performance, holding hands briefly during a moving moment. They share a cigarette outside the theater, a small moment of proximity that underscores their complicated bond.
When:during the performance Where:Opera house
- 7
Affair with Douwe
Hemel begins an affair with Douwe, the husband of Brechtje, a colleague of Gijs. Douwe confesses he has had only a few sexual partners and that Hemel is the only woman he has cheated with, while warning that the relationship will never last.
When:during the affair Where:Netherlands (various locations)
- 8
Sevilla holiday with Gijs
Gijs and Hemel travel to Sevilla for a holiday, where they share a bathroom and are comfortable being naked around each other. He tells Hemel that Sophie will be living in his house and that he has nothing to hide, which unsettles Hemel.
When:holiday Where:Sevilla, Spain
- 9
Hemel recounts a suicide she witnessed
That night in Sevilla Hemel tearfully recounts that she saw a man jump off a building. The confession adds to the sense of danger and confusion in their relationship.
When:that night Where:Sevilla
- 10
Intimate moment during the night in Sevilla
During the same night Gijs wakes Hemel and carries her to the toilet to urinate, pulling down her underwear. The act is intimate yet invasive, signaling how their power dynamics have shifted.
When:that night Where:Sevilla
- 11
Morning after in Sevilla
The following morning, Hemel peers over the edge of a building and then leaves. The image haunts her and foreshadows her fear of losing balance or control.
When:morning Where:Sevilla
- 12
Return to the Netherlands and a confrontation at Douwe's house
Back in the Netherlands Hemel waits in the rain outside Douwe s house. Douwe is not home and Brechtje answers the door, signaling a pause before deeper revelations. Brechtje explains a part of Hemel life with her father, and the two women share a quiet moment of understanding.
When:evening after Sevilla Where:Douwe s house
Who Are the Main Characters in Hemel?
9 characters, among them Hemel (Hannah Hoekstra), Gijs (Hans Dagelet) and Sophie (Rifka Lodeizen): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- H(
Hemel (Hannah Hoekstra)
Played by Hannah Hoekstra
A young Dutch woman navigating a pattern of fleeting sexual encounters while seeking genuine connection. She is charismatic and explorative, yet frequently unsettled by betrayal and the fear of being exposed. Her volatile relationships reveal a longing for intimacy amid self-protective behavior.
- 🔥 Desire
- 💃 Freedom
- 🧭 Identity
- G(
Gijs (Hans Dagelet)
Played by Hans Dagelet
Hemel's father and a successful professional who navigates his own complicated love life. He is affectionate and blunt, willing to reveal uncomfortable truths to his daughter. His relationships and past experiences shape Hemel's views on trust and romance.
- 👨👧 Family
- 🗣️ Honesty
- 💼 Professional
- S(
Sophie (Rifka Lodeizen)
Played by Rifka Lodeizen
Gijs's girlfriend and a capable auctioneer observing Hemel's behavior with a keen, sometimes wary eye. She knows about Gijs's former relationships and stands as a calm, adult counterpoint to Hemel's impulsiveness. Sophie embodies a practical perspective on love and loyalty.
- 💼 Status
- 🧠 Insight
- 🕊️ Moderation
- D(
Douwe (Mark Rietman)
Played by Mark Rietman
A married man who becomes Hemel's affair partner. He offers restraint and candid honesty; he admits his few previous partners and reveals that their relationship won't last. His perspective brings a pragmatic, sometimes conflicted view of desire and fidelity.
- 💑 Loyalty
- 🧭 Ambiguity
- 💬 Honesty
- B(
Brechtje (Barbara Sarafian)
Played by Barbara Sarafian
Douwe's wife, whom Hemel encounters, representing a gentler, protective side of relationships. She provides warmth to Hemel in a moment of emotional vulnerability and helps mend tensions between women. She embodies care and the complexities of trust.
- 💗 Care
- 🏡 Domestic life
- 🤝 Trust
- A(
Annabelle (Elske Rotteveel)
Played by Elske Rotteveel
Teun's Christian girlfriend who becomes a touchstone for Hemel's critique of restraint and marriage. She embodies traditional values that Hemel challenges with her own appetite for desire. Her presence highlights the contrasts between faith, sex, and commitment.
- 🙏 Faith
- 🕊️ Repression
- 💬 Conversation
-
Teun (Maarten Heijmans)
Played by Maarten Heijmans
Hemel's ex-stepbrother who hosts a birthday gathering, illustrating a family-like circle with complicated ties. He represents a bridge between Hemel and more conventional social expectations. His interactions reveal the messy boundaries within chosen families.
- 🎉 Family
- 👨👩👧👦 Social circles
- 🧭 Boundaries
- J(
Jimmy (Ali Ben Horsting)
Played by Ali Ben Horsting
A stranger Hemel brings home who turns violent, exemplifying the dangers that can accompany casual sex. The assault becomes a pivot point that intensifies Hemel's emotional journey and the film's exploration of consent and power.
- 👤 Stranger
- ⚠️ Violence
- 🌀 Danger
- E(
Emma (Eva Duijvestein)
Played by Eva Duijvestein
Gijs's ex-girlfriend who appears in conversations at the party, representing an external perspective on Hemel's family dynamics. She embodies past relationships that influence present decisions and tensions.
- 💬 Past relationships
- 🧩 Influence
- 🕊️ Ambiguity
Where and When Is Hemel Set?
Hemel is set in Netherlands, Sevilla (Spain), Opera house and Auction house (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The events occur in contemporary times, reflecting modern dating and relationship dynamics. Characters navigate casual encounters, intense attractions, and moral boundaries in a current social context. The film uses this time frame to explore love, lust, and personal accountability.
Where
Netherlands, Sevilla (Spain), Opera house, Auction house
Hemel unfolds mainly in the Netherlands with scenes inside her home, at a dinner party, and at the auction house where her father works. The story also follows a holiday trip to Sevilla, Spain, highlighting a contrast between intimate domestic life and a more open, sunny cityscape. Public venues like an opera house provide settings for emotionally charged moments.
- 🎭 Drama
- 🌍 Netherlands
- 🗺️ Travel
What Are the Themes of Hemel?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Desire, Family ties and Identity.
-
01
Desire
Hemel's world centers on pursuing sexual experiences while seeking genuine connection. The story juxtaposes raw physicality with moments of vulnerability, culminating in a violent assault that forces difficult reflections on power and consent. Desire drives secrecy, pursuit, and the difficulty of intimate honesty.
-
02
Family ties
Hemel's relationship with her father, Gijs, blends affection with tension over romantic partners and hidden histories. The dynamic includes candid talk about love and past traumas, as well as moments of tenderness between women. The family bond here is both a source of support and a catalyst for conflict.
-
03
Identity
Hemel questions what it means to love and be loved, valuing truth and self-understanding over mere romance. The characters test boundaries between desire and commitment, and between protection and exposure. The narrative invites reflection on authenticity, agency, and the costs of living truthfully.
What Kind of Film Is Hemel?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A raw and emotionally intense drama that follows a young woman's turbulent journey through casual encounters and a deeply unsettling trauma, all while navigating an unsettlingly intimate and complex bond with her father.
- raw
- unsettling
- intimate
- melancholic
- tense
- vulnerable
- father-daughter relationship
- sexual liberation
- trauma
- grief and loss
Content notes: sexual assault, suicide.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hemel? Test yourself on the story.
