Helplessly Up North is about leaving before one can be abandoned, about travelling north and returning home, and facing an unexpected future even after having closed to door to it a long time ago.

Frida flies to Bodø to celebrate her brother's birthday. Their childhood home stands empty, full of memories, and Mads thinks they should clear it out. Their father is in a dementia care home, and their mother is visiting several years after splitting up the family and finding a new husband in Tromsø. Frida has a night out and meets Stian, who offers her beer and an invitation of sorts.

Back in Oslo, her partner Jostein seethes. He and Frida have been trying to have a child, but Frida never stopped taking the pill. Will Jostein come to Bodø regardless? How will it go if he comes, and what will happen if he stays in Oslo?