Through a Glass Darkly
A haunting psychological drama where fractured family bonds and mental decay collide on a stark island. Shimmering Baltic waters mirror the fragility of faith and the horrific vision of a silent, predatory God.
Through a Glass Darkly
Through a Glass Darkly

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16 October 1961 Sweden 91 min ⭐ 7.8 (521)
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Cast: Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Max von Sydow, Lars Passgård
Drama
The Silence of God Artistic Exploitation and Parasitism Isolation and Mental Illness Incest and Familial Trauma
Box Office: $8,939

Through a Glass Darkly - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Gud är kärleken. Kärleken är Gud.

— David

Context:

Said during the final conversation with Minus as they watch the helicopter take Karin away.

Meaning:

The central philosophical conclusion of the film, suggesting that God exists only through the act of humans loving one another.

Dörren öppnades. Men guden som kom ut var en spindel.

— Karin

Context:

Karin describing her vision to David and Martin after her psychotic break in the attic.

Meaning:

A horrific subversion of the religious epiphany; the revelation that the divine is predatory and monstrous.

Pappa talade med mig.

— Minus

Context:

Minus whispers this to himself after his father shares his thoughts on love and God.

Meaning:

The final line of the film, signifying a minor 'miracle' of communication and the restoration of a relationship.

Man kan inte leva i två världar samtidigt.

— Karin

Context:

Karin explaining why she must choose institutionalization over staying with her family.

Meaning:

Reflects the absolute divide between the 'rational' world of the men and the 'spiritual/hallucinatory' world Karin inhabits.