Directed by Cristian Mungiu, Fjord tells the story of Lisbet and Mihai Gheorgiu (Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan), a couple who relocate with their five children to a remote costal town in Norway. As the family settles in to their new home, their teenagers quickly bond with their neighbours. However, as their relationships grow deeper, the Gheorgiu’s religious beliefs begin to make the surrounding area uncomfortable. After allegations of abuse are raised, the family must face off against the judicial system as they explore the relationship between concern and prejudice.
Instead of telling the story from the perspective of the accusers, Fjord very much tells its story from the perspective of the accused. Though one can never be entirely sure what’s happening within their home, Mungiu wants us to offer our support to Lisbet and Mihai as though they were neighbours of our own. In fact, he even goes so far as to plant seeds that point towards religious and racial oppression.
But that’s what makes Fjord so fascinating. This is a story about a couple that you root for but aren’t entirely comfortable with. While the film makes the Gheorghiu family the lens through which it tells its story, their perspective will not sit well with everyone. Despite defending them against their accusations of abuse, Fjord never justifies their entire set of worldviews. After all, this is a family that holds more Conservative (or, in their words, ‘traditional’) family values. They teach their children scripture, discipline with spanking and, of course, do not support the LGBTQ community.
In doing so, Mungiu straddles the line between sympathy and disdain with his characters. With each accusation and justification, these people are left both heroes and villains simultaneously. As such, this is the sort of film that appears destined to challenge the viewer’s biases in real time. Whether or not you defend the Gheorghiu family (and, more specifically, when you do so) reveals as much about the viewer as it does the characters.
Fjord is playing at TIFF ’26. For more information, click here.
