Review: "Viktlös" - A poignant exploration of youth, body image, and belonging

Marie Helweg Augustsen delivers a sensational performance as Lea, a 15-year-old navigating a summer at a Danish health camp in Emilie Thalund's "Viktlös" (Weightless). The film initially presents itself as a story about health and body image, focusing on the young participants' goals of improving their eating habits and routines.

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Marie Helweg Augustsen is sensationally good as the 15-year-old Lea in the Danish drama "Viktlös".

However, "Viktlös" quickly transcends its initial premise to explore deeper themes. It delves into the complexities of friendship, the awakening of sexuality, and the universal longing for belonging and love. A significant element is the introduction of the male gaze, adding another layer to Lea's journey.

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If Emilie Thalund's "Viktlös" begins as a film about health and body, with the goal for the young camp participants to learn to eat well and improve their routines, it soon develops into something bigger.

The film poignantly captures the difficulty of being a young woman in a larger body, a reality often met with societal disdain. It highlights the struggle to be seen and accepted, contrasting Lea's internal struggles with the outward confidence of her roommate, Sasha. This dynamic underscores the film's central message about self-perception and external validation.

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A film about friendship and sexuality, the longing for belonging and love, the male gaze that enters.