After betrayal destroys his relationship, Alex examines masculinity, failure, and the possibility of renewed love.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Betrayal at the Shared Flat
Alex discovers that his girlfriend Carolin is having an affair with their neighbor Jens. The betrayal ends the relationship and forces Alex to leave their shared home.
Key Events
Alex's Stable Relationship — Alex begins the story as a 30-year-old teacher living with his girlfriend Carolin. Characters: Alex, CarolinLocation: shared flat
The Neighbor's Affair — Alex discovers that Carolin is having an affair with their photographer neighbor Jens. Characters: Alex, Carolin, JensLocation: shared flat
The Relationship Ends — Carolin's affair ends the couple's relationship and removes Alex from their shared home. Characters: Alex, CarolinLocation: shared flat
Forced Move — Alex is forced to move out after the breakup. Characters: AlexLocation: shared flat
Shelter and Self-Doubt
Alex moves in with his friend and enters a new household shaped by animal welfare activism. He begins questioning why his relationship failed and what defines a man.
Key Events
A Friend Offers Shelter — Alex moves in with his friend after losing the shared flat. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
A Different Household — The new living arrangement places Alex in a household shaped by animal welfare activism. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
The Distant Boyfriend — Etienne is described as the French boyfriend maintaining a long-distance relationship from China. Characters: Alex, EtienneLocation: China
Alex Questions Masculinity — Alex begins questioning what actually constitutes a man. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
The Past Comes Forward
While reflecting on relationships, Alex reconnects emotionally with a friend he has loved since primary school. His past feelings become relevant to his present crisis.
Key Events
Searching for the Cause — Alex tries to understand why his relationship with Carolin failed. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
Childhood Feelings Resurface — Alex's long-standing emotional connection with his friend begins to regain importance. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
Old Love Reconsidered — Alex confronts the possibility that his childhood love remains meaningful. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
Leaving the Failed Model — Alex emotionally moves away from the failed relationship with Carolin. Characters: Alex, CarolinLocation: shared flat
Love Reconsidered
Alex recognizes that his long-standing connection with his friend has not disappeared. Their renewed emotional bond develops into falling in love again.
Key Events
Love Returns — Alex and his childhood friend fall in love with each other again. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
A New Definition — Alex's experience reframes his understanding of what it means to be a man. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
Emotional Renewal — Alex reaches a renewed romantic and emotional position after the breakup. Characters: AlexLocation: friend's home
Story Breakdown
Stable Life — Alex begins as a teacher living with his girlfriend before the central betrayal is revealed.
Teacher Identity — Alex is introduced as a 30-year-old elementary school teacher.
Shared Relationship — Alex and Carolin begin as a couple living together.
Betrayal Discovered — Carolin's affair with Jens breaks Alex's relationship and destabilizes his life.
Neighbor Affair — Alex discovers Carolin's affair with photographer Jens.
Forced Departure — Alex must move out of the shared flat.
New Living Arrangement — Alex moves in with a friend after losing his shared home.
Friend Offers Shelter — The friend provides Alex with a place to live.
Activist Household — The new household is connected to animal welfare activism.
Masculinity Questions — The breakup leads Alex to examine his identity and the meaning of being a man.
Failed Relationship — Alex tries to understand why his relationship with Carolin failed.
Meaning Of Manhood — Alex questions what actually constitutes a man.
Past Love Returns — Alex's long-standing bond with his childhood friend becomes emotionally important again.
Primary School History — Alex and his friend have loved each other since primary school.
Renewed Attraction — Their old feelings develop into falling in love again.
Emotional Resolution — Alex moves beyond the failed relationship and reaches a renewed emotional understanding.
New Romantic Direction — Alex's renewed love offers a different future after the breakup.
Changed Self-Understanding — Alex's experience reshapes his view of manhood and relationships.
What a man is a comedy that tells the story of a young professor, Alex (Matthias Schweighofer), who after being left by his girlfriend Caroline (Mavie Hörbiger), begins a journey to know himself. But how do you overcome the difficulties of a man today? Or rather what is it that makes a man a man?
