Faithless (or Trolösa), a six-part limited series directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on a script by the legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, makes a triumphant return at TIFF 2024. This highly anticipated series takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the complex nature of love, betrayal, and human failure. Originally conceived as a film over two decades ago, Faithless has been expanded into a series that gives ample room for characters to develop, unraveling their desires and decisions over two different timelines.
With stunning performances, particularly by Frida Gustavsson, and a visually immersive style, Faithless is a searing look at how the consequences of past choices echo through time, affecting everyone involved.
A Return to Ingmar Bergman’s Haunting Love Triangle
Faithless is rooted in a script penned by Bergman, one of cinema’s most revered figures. In its original film adaptation, directed by Bergman’s muse Liv Ullmann in 2000, the story captivated audiences with its exploration of forbidden love and the toll it takes on everyone involved. Now, in 2024, director Tomas Alfredson and writer Sara Johnsen bring this tale back to life with an expanded scope, giving the characters and their emotional struggles even more depth and complexity.
The story revolves around a love triangle spanning two time periods. In the present, the aging filmmaker David Howard (Jesper Christensen) reconnects with his former lover, actress Marianne Vogler (Lena Endre). As they look back on their lives, they are forced to confront the painful repercussions of their passionate affair decades earlier. Their story is told alongside flashbacks to when a younger David (played by Gustav Lindh) and Marianne (Frida Gustavsson) became embroiled in an illicit love affair, even as Marianne was married to David’s best friend, Markus (August Wittgenstein).
This dual-timeline approach adds richness to the story, allowing the series to explore both the intense emotions of youth and the reflective wisdom of age. It also creates a haunting sense of how the choices we make in our youth can reverberate throughout our lives, with consequences that continue to unfold even decades later.
Frida Gustavsson’s Career-Defining Performance
While Faithless is an ensemble piece, Frida Gustavsson’s portrayal of the younger Marianne stands out as one of the finest performances of the year. From the moment she appears on screen, Gustavsson exudes a carefree vitality and spiritual beauty that makes Marianne’s eventual downfall all the more heartbreaking. Her chemistry with Gustav Lindh’s David is palpable, and their forbidden romance plays out with an intensity that is both electrifying and devastating.
Gustavsson is masterful in her ability to convey Marianne’s inner conflict. As she is drawn deeper into her affair with David, she struggles with her loyalty to her husband and her growing feelings for his best friend. It’s a performance filled with nuance, as Gustavsson shows how Marianne’s initial excitement slowly gives way to guilt, sorrow, and regret. Watching her navigate these complex emotions is utterly captivating, and it’s easy to see why her performance will be remembered as a career-defining role.
Sensual, Tactile, and Emotionally Devastating
Director Tomas Alfredson, best known for his cold and calculated spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, surprises here by delivering a deeply sensual and tactile experience in Faithless. The love scenes between David and Marianne are shot with remarkable intimacy, heightening the passion of their affair while also foreshadowing the emotional destruction that lies ahead.
The cinematography by Monika Lenczewska plays a crucial role in setting the tone. The early scenes are bathed in warm, golden light, reflecting the innocence and joy of the characters’ initial connection. As the story progresses and the affair’s emotional toll becomes clear, the visuals grow darker and more claustrophobic, mirroring the characters’ inner turmoil. The cinematography also beautifully captures the shifting seasons, with the transition from the bright colors of summer to the muted tones of autumn symbolizing the passage of time and the decay of relationships.
Hans Ek’s musical score complements the visuals perfectly, with its delicate yet dramatic compositions underscoring the emotional weight of the series. The score balances the romantic highs and devastating lows of the characters’ journey, enhancing the sense of tragedy that permeates the story.
A Mature Meditation on Love, Lust, and Human Failure
What makes Faithless such a profound viewing experience is its mature exploration of desire, betrayal, and human failure. The series doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of the characters’ actions, but it does so with compassion rather than judgment. David and Marianne are not portrayed as villains, nor are they excused for their behavior. Instead, the series paints a complex portrait of two people caught between their intellectual understanding of right and wrong and their overwhelming desires.
The series also avoids easy moral conclusions. The characters are painfully aware of the damage they are causing, yet they are powerless to stop themselves. This tension between self-awareness and self-destruction is at the heart of Faithless, and it’s what makes the series so compelling. The dialogue is rich with reflections on love, passion, and the inevitability of human failure, making Faithless not just a study of one doomed affair but a broader meditation on the fragility of all relationships.
A Hauntingly Beautiful Love Story
Faithless is not an easy watch. It’s a series that delves into the darkest corners of love, betrayal, and regret, and it will leave viewers emotionally drained. But it’s also a deeply fulfilling experience, one that offers a rare, nuanced exploration of human relationships. With its incredible performances, particularly from Frida Gustavsson, stunning cinematography, and emotionally resonant script, Faithless stands out as one of the best limited series of the year.
If you’re looking for a love story that doesn’t shy away from the complexities of human emotions, Faithless is a must-watch. Its haunting beauty and raw emotional power will stay with you long after the final episode fades to black.