What Is Valerie and Her Week of Wonders About?
The premise of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders in 264 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a mist‑shrouded Czechoslovakian village, a curious thirteen‑year‑old named Valerie lives a quiet life with her grandmother, tending to daily chores while dreaming of the world beyond her modest home. One ordinary afternoon she uncovers a pair of enchanted earrings that seem to shift the way she sees everything around her. The moment the jewels settle against her ears, the familiar countryside blurs, opening a doorway to a whimsical—and unsettling—realm where reality and imagination spin together like a folk‑tale tapestry.
The new world that the earrings reveal is alive with eccentric characters and carnival‑like spectacles. Her grandmother watches her niece’s wonder with a mixture of fondness and guarded wisdom, hinting that the earrings carry memories of a past she has never spoken of. As Valerie drifts through dimly lit streets and moonlit fairs, she encounters a lecherous priest whose smile never quite reaches his eyes, and a vampire‑like stranger whose presence is both alluring and eerie. These figures, along with a parade of other strange folk, act as mirrors reflecting the tangled feelings that accompany the brink of womanhood.
The film shimmers with the tone of magical realism, mixing lush, painterly visuals with a gentle, humming score that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. Its atmosphere is at once dreamy and slightly oppressive, echoing Valerie’s internal struggle to separate myth from memory, desire from duty. Through lush symbolism and quiet humor, the story invites the audience to wander alongside a young girl learning to trust her own perception, all while the enchanting—and occasionally disquieting—world around her hints at deeper secrets waiting just beyond the veil.
What Happens in Valerie and Her Week of Wonders?
The complete story of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, from the first scene to the last, in 840 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Valerie, a curious and adventurous 13-year-old girl, finds herself embroiled in a mysterious and supernatural world after a simple incident involving her earrings. One night, while she is peacefully sleeping, a thief steals her earrings, prompting her to investigate. During her search, she is startled by a menacing figure—the Constable, a masked and frightening man who seems to hold dark secrets. Surprisingly, the thief returns her earrings the following day, which infuriates the Constable and hints at deeper, more sinister motives.
Back at home, Valerie’s grandmother, Nina Divíšková, explains that her earrings were originally belonging to Valerie’s mother, who left them behind when she joined a convent. These earrings are not just jewelry but are linked to a past involving the Constable, who once owned their house. As Valerie tries to piece together her history, she learns that a group of missionaries and actors is arriving in town, bringing an air of anticipation and change to her quiet life.
During her neighbor Hedvika’s wedding, Valerie notices the Constable watching her from the crowd, and her grandmother also seems to recognize him, adding a layer of suspicion and intrigue. Then, she receives a mysterious letter from the thief, Orlík, known as “Eaglet,” warning her that the Constable, who is also his uncle, murdered Orlík’s parents. Orlík desperately asks Valerie to meet him at the church that evening, revealing his romantic feelings towards her during their encounter.
Later, Valerie encounters the Constable in disguise on the street. He pulls her into a secret chamber where her grandmother, Elsa, Nina Divíšková, threatens to harm herself, trying to revive a lost love, a priest named Gracián. Orlík then takes Valerie away, warning her that his uncle is in love with her. As the story unfolds, Elsa—under the alias Richard—confesses that she has loved no one since the day he seduced and abandoned her when she was just 17. Richard then offers her a dark bargain: he promises to restore her youth if she sells him the house Valerie will inherit.
Meanwhile, Orlík presents Valerie with a pearl for protection, and she must stay hidden from Richard again. During a picnic, Gracián confidently claims that Orlík is Valerie’s brother. That night, Gracián attempts to assault Valerie in her bedroom, but she instinctively swallows the pearl, using it as a protective charm. Elsa, in her vampiric form, also shows up—biting Hedvika to steal her blood, seeking her own revival and youthful transformation.
The danger intensifies as Valerie discovers Orlík shackled near a waterfall, and she manages to free him, taking him to her home. Their reunion, however, is complicated by the fact that Valerie believes they might be siblings, so she blindfolds Orlík to keep her feelings under control. The shocking discovery of Gracián hanging dead from Valerie’s window leads them to a crypt beneath her house, where Elsa is revealed to be a vampire. Dressed as a distant cousin, Elsa tries to steal Valerie’s earrings again and even attempts to bite her during the night.
Valerie’s resilience shines through as she fights back, and Orlík confesses his love for her. He reveals that he is not her father’s son, but actually Richard’s, and tries to explain their complex relationship. Feeling overwhelmed, Valerie runs away, suspecting Elsa is her true grandmother and realizing that her feelings for Richard, now dying, have grown. She then takes a chicken to Richard, who has just confessed that he is her biological father—a secret that makes her blood essential for his survival.
The situation turns deadly when Richard, transformed into a monster, attacks Valerie after she heals him with her blood. He plans to transplant Orlík’s heart into her to grant her immortality, but Elsa, now fully control of her vampiric self, also covets this power. Valerie overhears their deadly plan while pretending to be unconscious, and she soon revives Gracián—who was presumed dead—and finds a farewell letter from Orlík, revealing his deep love and sacrifice.
As Valerie faces the chaos afterward, she encounters Hedvika—sick and despondent from Elsa’s bite—who spends a night with her, healing her emotional wounds. Outside, Gracián falsely accuses Valerie of witchcraft, ordering her to be captured and burned. Yet, Valerie’s resolve and the magic earrings save her, allowing her to escape amid the chaos. She tricks Richard into drinking one of the enchanted earrings, transforming him into a polecat, and scene shifts into a surreal dreamlike sequence. Valerie reunites with Orlík, who is revealed to be one of the actors at the church, then encounters Elsa—who has no memory of recent events—and her long-lost parents in a fantastical reunion.
The story culminates in an eerie forest where everyone, including the singing virgins, dances around Valerie, who finally falls asleep alone in a bed in the woods, symbolizing her journey through love, pain, and awakening to her true self. The film’s haunting and poetic narrative explores themes of love, identity, supernatural curses, and the desire for eternal youth, blending dark fairy tale elements with a poetic portrayal of a young girl’s awakening to her hidden past.
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Valerie's Earrings Are Stolen” to “Reunion in the Forest and Final Sleep”. 6 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Valerie's Earrings Are Stolen
Valerie, a 13-year-old girl, is asleep when a thief steals her earrings. She attempts to investigate the theft but is startled by a masked man, the Constable, who appears intimidating and mysterious. The theft sets off a series of mysterious events linked to her family history.
- 2
Earrings Returned and Family Secrets Revealed
The next day, the thief, Orlík, returns Valerie's earrings, which angers the Constable. Her grandmother Elsa explains that the earrings belonged to Valerie's mother and were left behind when she joined a convent, revealing hidden family connections.
- 3
Upcoming Visitors in Town
Valerie learns that missionaries and actors are arriving in town, adding an element of intrigue and potential danger. These visitors play a role in approaching or influencing Valerie and her family.
- 4
Valerie Notices the Constable Watching Her
During Hedvika’s wedding, Valerie sees the Constable observing her among the crowd. Her grandmother also seems to recognize him, hinting at a past connection and deepening the mystery surrounding his presence.
Where:Wedding celebration
- 5
Letter from Orlík and Meeting at the Church
Valerie receives a letter from Orlík, warning her that the Constable, his uncle, who previously killed Orlík’s parents, is after her earrings. Orlík arranges to meet her at the church that evening, where their bond grows deeper as Orlík shows romantic interest.
When:Evening Where:Church
- 6
Encounter with the Constable in Disguise
The Constable captures Valerie in the street in disguise and takes her to a hidden chamber where her grandmother threatens to harm herself trying to win back her lost love, a priest named Gracián. This reveals family secrets and manipulations.
Where:Secret chamber
- 7
Elsa and the Offer of Youth
Elsa, Valerie's grandmother, confesses her love for the Constable, who promises to make her young again if she sells him the house Valerie will inherit. Meanwhile, Orlík gives Valerie a protective pearl and hides her from danger.
- 8
Gracián's Attempted Assault and Blood Rituals
Gracián, a priest, tries to assault Valerie, but she swallows the pearl for protection. Elsa bites her neck to steal blood needed for her transformation into a vampire, and then attempts to seduce Orlík, who, however, steals the earrings from her.
- 9
Elsa's True Nature Revealed
Valerie finds Elsa in the crypt as a vampire, disguising herself as a distant cousin. Elsa tries to imprison Valerie and steals her earrings again, revealing her true dangerous nature as she commits heinous acts, including murder and seduction.
Where:Crypt under Valerie's house
- 10
Valerie and Orlík Reunite and Discover the Truth
Orlík, who is revealed to be one of the actors, confesses his love and explains his true parentage, revealing that he is not Valerie's brother but her cousin. Valerie begins to understand her complex family ties and the supernatural elements involved.
Show the other 4 events of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Valerie Heals Richard and Confronts Dark Truths
Valerie heals Richard, who is dying and turns out to be her father, leading to revelations about her blood being vital for their survival. Richard plans to transplant Orlík’s heart to achieve immortality, but Elsa intervenes.
- 12
Escape and the Witch Hunt
Valerie overhears a plot where Richard intends to use her blood for his dark purposes. Valerie escapes from the impending danger after swallowing the magic earrings and is falsely accused of witchcraft, leading to her trial and escape from being burned alive.
Where:Town square
- 13
Elsa Turns Richard into a Polecat
In a surreal sequence, Valerie tricks Richard into drinking a magic earring, transforming him into a polecat. This marks her power over him and signals her growing control over her supernatural enemies.
- 14
Reunion in the Forest and Final Sleep
Valerie reunites with Orlík, who is revealed to be part of the acting troupe, and encounters Elsa, who has forgotten everything. The story culminates with everyone dancing in a dreamlike forest scene, and Valerie falling asleep peacefully, symbolizing her escape or acceptance.
Where:Enchanted forest
Who Are the Main Characters in Valerie and Her Week of Wonders?
5 characters, among them Valerie, Elsa / Grandmother / Mother (voice) (uncredited) and Orlík: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 1 of them link to the actor’s page.
- V
Valerie
A curious and brave 13-year-old girl, Valerie navigates a world filled with magic, danger, and love. Her innocence and resilience drive her to uncover the truth about her family and herself, making her a symbol of youthful courage amidst dark circumstances.
- 🧚♀️heroine
- 🌟innocence
- 🔍curiosity
- E/
Elsa / Grandmother / Mother (voice) (uncredited)
Played by Nina Divíšková
Elsa is a mysterious figure with a complex past, revealing herself as Valerie’s grandmother and secretly a vampire. Her actions and secret motives create suspense and deepen the supernatural elements of the story.
- 🧙♀️vampire
- 🕵️♀️mystery
- 🚶♀️complexity
- O
Orlík
A charming and conflicted young man, Orlík is entangled in the supernatural plot as a protector of Valerie. His attraction to her and his complicated family ties add emotional depth and tension to the story.
- 💌romance
- 🧙♂️mystery
- 🦅protector
- R/
Richard / The Constable
A sinister and enigmatic figure, Richard is Valerie’s uncle and a vampire who seeks to regain his youth and power. His obsession and dark past threaten everyone around him, embodying themes of corruption and the destructive nature of vanity.
- 🩸villain
- 🧛♂️vampire
- 🌀darkmystery
- H
Hedvika
Valerie’s neighbor and friend, Hedvika starts the story as a vulnerable character who finds healing and strength through her connection with Valerie. Her journey reflects themes of recovery and companionship.
- 🤝friendship
- 🌼healing
- 🧸companionship
Where and When Is Valerie and Her Week of Wonders Set?
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is set in Valérie's hometown (early 20th century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
early 20th century
The story takes place during a period that appears to be early 20th century, characterized by traditional lifestyles and social structures. The era is marked by a mix of old customs and emerging modern influences, which is reflected in the characters' attire and societal roles. This historical context adds to the mystical and timeless quality of the narrative.
Where
Valérie's hometown
The movie is set in a quaint, rustic town with traditional buildings and a close-knit community. The setting evokes a timeless, fairy-tale atmosphere, blending everyday life with mystical and supernatural elements. The town's atmosphere plays a crucial role in creating the mysterious and enchanted mood of the story.
- 🏡small town
- 🏰historical setting
- 🌳rural environment
What Are the Themes of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Magic & Supernatural, Love & Sacrifice and Transformation & Identity.
-
01
Magic & Supernatural
The movie revolves around magical elements, vampires, and mystical artifacts like enchanted earrings. These supernatural themes explore the allure and danger of magic, as well as its impact on human lives. It emphasizes the mystical forces that influence the characters' destinies and relationships.
-
02
Love & Sacrifice
Interwoven with supernatural elements, the film explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Characters risk everything for love, whether it is romantic, familial, or selfless. These emotional struggles highlight the enduring power of love amid chaos and enchantment.
-
03
Transformation & Identity
Transformations of characters, such as Elsa's vampiric state and Valerie's journey towards self-discovery, underscore themes of change and self-realization. The story questions identity and the nature of true self, often blurring the lines between human and supernatural.
What Kind of Film Is Valerie and Her Week of Wonders?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a very complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Very complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A darkly erotic and surreal fairytale that plunges the viewer into a feverish dreamscape of sexual awakening, family secrets, and folkloric horror, creating an intensely atmospheric and psychologically disorienting experience.
- dreamlike
- surreal
- oppressive
- erotic
- uncanny
- haunting
- sexual awakening
- coming of age
- incest
- vampirism
Content notes: incest, sexual assault, vampirism, attempted murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember Valerie and Her Week of Wonders? Test yourself on the story.
