The Worst Person in the World: Reviews & Where to Watch

There’s a reason “The Worst Person in the World” still surfaces in film discussions years after its release — it’s the kind of movie that makes you feel seen in uncomfortable ways. Joachim Trier’s 2021 Norwegian dramedy follows Julie (Renate Reinsve) through four years of wrong turns in love and career, and it earned something rare: a Best Actress win at Cannes plus an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Whether that makes it worth your two hours depends on what you’re after.

Director: Joachim Trier ·
Release Year: 2021 ·
Original Language: Norwegian ·
Runtime: 128 minutes ·
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97% (Fresh)

Four data points define what reviewers and audiences have consistently said about this film:

Is it worth watching The Worst Person in the World?

For viewers in the UK who enjoyed “Fleabag” or “500 Days of Summer,” the answer is probably yes. For those who found those titles too self-indulgent, this film won’t change your mind. The critical consensus is nearly universal — 241 Fresh reviews out of 251 total on Rotten Tomatoes — but audience resonance splits along predictable lines.

Critical reception

The Guardian called it an “instant classic,” while The Independent described Reinsve’s performance as the kind that “makes the messy protagonist feel achingly human.” The film holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the highest-rated films of 2021.

Audience scores

Google users rated the film 4.2 out of 5, and Metacritic users have been similarly generous, with scores clustering in the 7-9 range. Reddit discussions on r/movies and film-focused communities show strong engagement, though some users found Julie’s arc “frustratingly passive.”

Pros and cons for viewers

The case for watching comes down to three things: Reinsve’s performance, Trier’s direction, and writing that refuses to tie up loose ends. The case against involves pacing (the film runs 128 minutes with a few indulgent sequences) and a protagonist who can feel unresolved by design.

The trade-off is clear: this film rewards viewers willing to sit with ambiguity. If you need your protagonists to have satisfying arcs by act three, skip it.

What is the message of The Worst Person in the World?

The film’s message, if there is one, resists easy summary — and that’s intentional. IMDB describes it as an “achingly human portrait of an entire generation’s existential crisis,” but that framing has limits. Trier isn’t diagnosing a generation; he’s observing one woman’s attempt to outrun certainty.

Themes of millennial angst

Julie abandons medicine, tries photography, writes a thesis she abandons, and drifts between relationships. The film doesn’t judge any of these choices — it simply shows them unfolding. Critics have called this “the portrait of a generation’s crisis” on IMDB, but the specificity keeps it from feeling universal in a hollow way.

Existential crisis portrayal

Rotten Tomatoes notes the film explores “love, career uncertainty, and self-discovery,” but the execution avoids textbook existentialism. There’s no monologue about meaning; the crisis shows up in Julie’s inability to commit to anything — a job, a partner, a city.

Romantic relationships in modern Oslo

Oslo functions almost as a character — a modern European city where the pressure to optimize your life collides with the freedom to do nothing. Julie’s two relationships, with Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) and later Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), represent different bets on what a life should look like.

Is Worst Person in the World on Netflix?

Netflix templates exist for this film in some regions, but availability varies and can change without notice. If you’re searching “is The Worst Person in the World on Netflix?” you may get different answers depending on your region.

Current streaming status

MUBI has maintained UK and Ireland streaming rights since May 13, 2022, according to the BFI review. Netflix availability in the UK appears inconsistent based on user reports across forums. Prime Video offers purchase or rental options through Amazon.

Reasons for removal

Streaming rights change hands regularly. Films that appeared on Netflix in one region may disappear as licensing agreements expire. The pattern with art-house releases is that they’re more likely to surface on MUBI or specialty platforms than mainstream aggregators.

Alternatives like Prime Video

Amazon (Prime Video) typically offers purchase or rental for this type of release. Prices in the UK typically range from £3.99 for rental to £9.99 for purchase, though prices fluctuate. MUBI subscription remains the most cost-effective option if you watch multiple art-house titles.

Where can I watch The Worst Person in the World UK?

For UK viewers, the options are more limited but more reliable than Netflix suggests. MUBI and Amazon represent the two clearest paths.

Streaming platforms

MUBI (mubi.com) holds UK and Ireland streaming rights and has maintained them since May 2022. A MUBI subscription costs around £7.99/month with a free trial available. Prime Video (amazon.co.uk) offers digital purchase or rental.

Purchase or rental options

Amazon typically prices rental around £3.99 (SD) to £4.99 (HD) and purchase around £9.99. Prices vary by region and have shifted since the 2022 theatrical run ended. Apple TV also carries the film with similar pricing.

Free availability

Free availability in the UK appears limited. MUBI’s free trial (7 days) is the closest option. Theatrical re-runs occasionally happen at independent cinemas, particularly after awards season. For more information on the Downton Abbey characters, you can visit personnages de Downton Abbey.

What are The Worst Person in the World user reviews?

Aggregated user scores tell a consistent story: most viewers rate it highly, but the film generates stronger reactions — positive or negative — than average. A 4.2/5 on Google, strong Metacritic user scores, and active Reddit discussions suggest a film that lands for most but provokes a significant minority.

Metacritic scores

Metacritic user reviews cluster in the 7-9 range with a mean around 7.8. The film’s Metacritic critic score of 81 reflects the critical consensus. User scores run slightly higher than critic scores on this platform, which is unusual for art-house releases.

Reddit discussions

Reddit threads on this film — particularly on r/movies and film-specific communities — highlight three recurring themes: admiration for Reinsve’s performance, debate over whether Julie is “romanticized” as a messy protagonist, and frustration from viewers who expected more resolution. One user described it as a “romanticised portrait of a messy woman,” while others found that messiness the film’s strongest feature.

Common praises and criticisms

Praise centers on cinematography (the chapter-marked structure and Oslo’s visual palette), Reinsve’s performance, and Trier’s refusal to tie up loose ends. Criticism targets the runtime, perceived self-indulgence, and a protagonist who can feel unresolved even by the film’s own logic.

The implication: this film rewards viewers who bring their own ambivalence about commitment and identity. If that resonates, it earns its 128 minutes. If it doesn’t, you’ll spend two hours frustrated.

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Frequently asked questions

An achingly human and frighteningly accurate portrait of an entire generation’s existential crisis.

— IMDB synopsis

Nordic romcom is an instant classic.

— The Guardian (established UK newspaper)

A romanticised portrait of a messy woman — but that’s what makes it feel true.

— Reddit user, r/movies discussion thread