"How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a 2025 Austrian drama film directed by Florian Pochlatko in his feature debut.
Plot Summary
The film follows Pia, a young woman recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital, as she returns to her childhood home and takes a temporary job at her father's office. Struggling to reintegrate into society, Pia feels misunderstood by her parents, ex-boyfriend Joni, and colleagues. Her only connection is with 12-year-old neighbor Lenni, who shares her sense of entrapment. As Pia navigates societal expectations, medication, and self-doubt, she undergoes a startling transformation—growing to 20 meters tall—prompting questions about reality and self-acceptance.
Director's Vision
Florian Pochlatko aims to explore the subjective nature of normality and the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues. Through Pia's journey, the film questions societal norms and perceptions of sanity.
Themes
Mental Health and Stigma: The film delves into the complexities of living with mental illness and the societal pressures to conform.
Identity and Self-Acceptance: Pia's transformation symbolizes the struggle for self-acceptance amidst external expectations.
Isolation and Connection: The narrative highlights the importance of genuine human connections in overcoming personal challenges.
Reality vs. Perception: The film blurs the lines between reality and perception, challenging viewers to question their own understanding of normality.
Key Success Factors
Strong Performances: Luisa-Céline Gaffron's portrayal of Pia has been praised for its depth and authenticity.
Visual Storytelling: The film employs innovative visual techniques to represent Pia's internal struggles.
Thought-Provoking Narrative: The storyline encourages discussions about mental health and societal norms.
Short Summary: "How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" (2025) is an Austrian drama directed by Florian Pochlatko. The film follows Pia, a young woman recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital, as she struggles to reintegrate into society. Facing misunderstandings from her family, ex-boyfriend, and coworkers, her only solace comes from her 12-year-old neighbor, Lenni. As Pia battles societal expectations and self-doubt, she undergoes a surreal transformation—growing to 20 meters tall—forcing her to confront what it truly means to be "normal." With strong performances, unique visual storytelling, and thought-provoking themes on mental health and identity, the film offers a compelling reflection on society’s perception of normality.
Awards and Nominations
The film was nominated for the GWFF Best First Feature Award at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.
Critical Reception
The film received positive reviews for its unique storytelling and thematic depth. ScreenAnarchy noted that it "asks us to contemplate what it means to be sane and normal in a world that is completely nuts."
Cineuropa highlighted the film's "deft tonal journey through humour, melancholy, romance, edgy drama and some trippy visual montages."
Online Reviews
Loud and Clear Reviews: Acknowledged the film's strong artistic vision but mentioned a lack of substance, stating it "leaves audiences with more questions than answers."
Josh at the Movies: Described it as a "feast of vivid storytelling" that adds to the genre of young adult dramas dealing with mental health.
View of the Arts: Praised the film for making viewers feel something profound, comparing it to experiencing "fudge after a lifetime of eating cardboard."
Production
The film was produced by Golden Girls Film Production, with Arash T. Riahi and Sabine Gruber as producers. Filming took place in Vienna and Lower Austria from April 17 to May 26, 2023.
Sales and Distribution
Sales Company: Alpha Violet
Distribution Company: Filmladen Filmverleih
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31807192/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/473903
About movie: https://www.alphaviolet.com/how-to-be-normal/
Link to watch: https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/how-to-be-normal-and-the-oddness-of-the-other-world
Why to Recommend This Movie
"How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a visually inventive and emotionally resonant drama that challenges conventional notions of normality and mental health. With a unique blend of realism and surrealism, it provides a fresh take on personal identity and self-acceptance, making it a must-watch for audiences who appreciate thought-provoking cinema.
Why You Should Watch This Movie
Unique Perspective on Mental Health – Offers a compelling look at societal expectations and the struggles of reintegration after psychiatric treatment.
Surreal and Visually Striking – The film’s fantastical elements, including the protagonist's sudden physical transformation, create a powerful metaphor for self-acceptance.
Strong Performances – Luisa-Céline Gaffron delivers a nuanced and moving portrayal of Pia.
Thought-Provoking Themes – Encourages discussions about what it truly means to be “normal” in today’s society.
Engaging Narrative – Balances drama, humor, and emotion, making it both entertaining and meaningful.
What Movie Trend the Film Is Following
Mental Health Realism with Surreal Elements" This film aligns with a growing trend of psychological dramas that incorporate surreal or exaggerated elements to depict internal struggles. Similar to I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020) and A Beautiful Mind (2001), it uses an unconventional storytelling approach to represent a protagonist’s mental state, making audiences question reality and perception.
Big Social Trend: The New Normal – Redefining Mental Health and Individuality
Summary:
In recent years, society has shifted toward a broader and more inclusive understanding of mental health, challenging outdated stigmas and embracing individual differences. How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World embodies this shift by questioning the traditional concept of "normality" and illustrating the struggles of reintegrating into a world that often fails to accommodate neurodivergent individuals or those with mental health challenges.
Details:
Breaking the Mental Health Stigma – The film reflects the growing movement toward openly discussing mental health, moving away from the idea that struggling with psychological issues is something to hide.
Embracing Neurodivergence – More people are recognizing that mental health conditions don’t define a person’s worth but rather shape unique experiences and perspectives.
Societal Expectations vs. Self-Identity – The film highlights how external pressures force individuals to suppress their true selves in order to conform, mirroring real-life struggles faced by those who don’t fit traditional molds.
Mental Health in Pop Culture – The increasing presence of mental health narratives in film, literature, and social media reflects a demand for more honest and varied portrayals, encouraging deeper empathy and understanding.
This trend signifies a major cultural shift—one where mental health awareness is no longer a niche topic but a mainstream conversation shaping policies, workplace dynamics, and personal relationships. The film resonates with this shift by asking the audience: What if being "normal" isn’t the goal at all?
Final Verdict
"How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a thought-provoking, visually innovative film that challenges perceptions of normality and self-acceptance. With strong performances, compelling themes, and a unique blend of realism and fantasy, it stands out as a must-watch for those interested in deep, meaningful cinema.
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