The director examines the fractured relationships within a Danish middleclass family through the lens of black comedy and psychological drama. Karl and Emilie are preparing a naming celebration for their newborn son Elliot at a luxury seaside hotel. Trouble begins when an uninvited guest arrives: Vibeke, Karl’s mother, whom he has not spoken to in years. The suppressed emotions of three people - Karl; his sister Rikke, who has cared for their mother in Karl’s absence; and Vibeke, who struggles with mental health issues - come to a head on the day of this important family celebration. At first, Vibeke seems to be the source of the family’s troubles, and tension mounts with her arrival. But the film keeps complicating that assumption. How are we meant to understand Vibeke’s behavior? And isn’t Karl’s overreaction just as suspect? What is admirable is the film’s careful refusal to make light of its characters’ psychological instability. Celebrated Danish actress Trine Dyrholm delivers a tour-de-force performance as Vibeke. (LEE Juhyun)