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2067 (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

2067 (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 114 min · English
Echo score 40
Directed by
Seth Larney
Starring
Kodi Smit-McPhee, Aaron Glenane, Leeanna Walsman, Ryan Kwanten, Damian Walshe-Howling, Finn Little

In a future where Earth struggles to survive on artificial oxygen due to a deadly airborne illness, humanity receives a mysterious signal: "Send Ethan Whyte." A tunnel worker is unexpectedly chosen and sent through a portal to a distant, unfamiliar world. There, he must navigate a dangerous environment and confront unforeseen challenges, all while holding the potential to discover a cure and save the future of humankind from extinction.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like 2067
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch 2067 (2020)

Where can you watch 2067? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

2067 Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of 2067 (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Ethan Whyte

    played by Kodi Smit-McPhee

    Ethan is a manual laborer who carries the burden of caring for his ailing wife, Xanthe, amidst a desolate world. Initially resistant to his father's legacy, his character transforms through loss and the discovery of hope, showcasing resilience and determination. His journey through time shapes him into a catalyst for change, emphasizing his emotional complexity.

    • 🧑‍🔧 Protagonist
    • 🌪️ Resilient
    • 🌌 Time Traveler
  • Xanthe Whyte

    played by Sana'a Shaik

    Xanthe is Ethan's wife, suffering from 'The Sickness,' which defines their tragic circumstances. Her character represents vulnerability and the emotional anchor for Ethan, motivating his journey and decisions. Though her fate is sealed, her memory serves as a beacon of hope for Ethan, emphasizing love's enduring power.

    • ❤️ Love
    • 😷 Vulnerable
  • Jude Mathers

    played by Ryan Kwanten

    Jude is Ethan's guardian, a character who swings between the roles of protector and antagonist during their intense journey through time. His complexity is highlighted by guilt and desperation, which ultimately leads to a tragic end. Jude’s character raises questions about morality, as his choices heavily impact Ethan's decisions.

    • 🛡️ Guardian
    • ⚔️ Antagonist
  • Regina Jackson

    played by Deborah Mailman

    As the Chief Technology Officer of Chronicorp, Regina is driven by a mission to secure the future at any cost. Her cold calculation and betrayal reveal profound themes of ambition and morality in a dying world. Regina's character serves as a pivotal force against whom Ethan must strive, embodying the darker aspects of human survival.

    • 🏢 Corporate
    • 🔪 Antagonistic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

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Setting

Where and When Does 2067 Take Place?

The setting of 2067 (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

2067

The year 2067 marks a bleak future shaped by catastrophic climate change and nuclear conflict. Society has dwindled to a few desperate survivors clinging to life in a synthetic environment. This period signifies a struggle for survival and hope as remnants of technology provide a glimmer for the future, driving characters to confront their legacies and destinies.

Location

Australia, Vibrant Rainforest

In the dystopian future of 2067, a solitary city in Australia is one of the last surviving human habitats facing extinction due to climate change and nuclear warfare. Surrounded by toxic landscapes, the city struggles with a dire situation involving synthetic oxygen and a deadly condition known as 'The Sickness.' In contrast, Ethan's journey takes him into a vibrant rainforest, symbolizing nature's resilience against human destruction.

  • 🏙️ Future City
  • 🌳 Nature

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

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3 major themes

2067 Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is 2067 (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Time Travel

    Time travel serves as a pivotal theme in '2067,' allowing Ethan to venture into a possible future. It raises questions about fate, choices, and the impact of our actions across different timelines. The exploration of time not only reflects Ethan's personal journey but also embodies humanity’s struggle to reclaim a future amidst despair.

  • Hope and Redemption

    Amidst despair, themes of hope and redemption cling to Ethan's journey. As he grapples with his father's legacy and the dire situation surrounding him, he finds the strength to alter the future. His determination emphasizes the possibility of renewal and the importance of preserving humanity even in the most catastrophic circumstances.

  • Sacrifice

    Sacrifice stands at the core of '2067,' as characters confront grim realities in their pursuit of survival. Ethan's willingness to confront death and his ultimate choices highlight the profound impacts of sacrifice for a greater cause. This theme resonates deeply as it reveals the complexities of human emotion and the lengths one goes to protect loved ones.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:40

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Character & theme questions

2067 Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about 2067 (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place primarily in a dystopian future Australia, one of the last surviving human habitats on Earth. The setting contrasts a grim, dying city surrounded by toxic landscapes with a vibrant rainforest that Ethan visits, symbolizing nature's resilience against human destruction.

  • australia
  • dystopia
  • future city
  • toxic landscape
  • setting
Q2

What year does the story take place?

The story is set in 2067, a bleak future shaped by catastrophic climate change and nuclear conflict. By this time, society has dwindled to a few desperate survivors clinging to life in synthetic environments, struggling against extinction.

  • 2067
  • year
  • future
  • time period
  • dystopia
Q3

What is The Sickness in the movie?

The Sickness is a deadly airborne illness affecting the population in the dystopian world of 2067. It is the condition that threatens humanity's survival alongside the need for synthetic oxygen, and it serves as the emotional anchor driving Ethan Whyte's journey.

  • the sickness
  • disease
  • illness
  • plague
Q4

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three central themes: Time Travel, which examines fate, choices, and the impact of actions across different timelines; Hope and Redemption, focusing on Ethan's transformation as he finds strength to alter humanity's future; and Sacrifice, as characters confront grim realities in pursuit of survival with profound emotional impacts.

  • themes
  • time travel
  • hope
  • redemption
  • sacrifice
Q5

Who is Ethan Whyte?

Ethan Whyte is the protagonist, a manual laborer in the dystopian Australia of 2067 who carries the burden of caring for his ailing wife Xanthe. Initially resistant to his father's legacy, he transforms through loss and hope, becoming a catalyst for change who must navigate a dangerous journey through time to potentially save humanity.

  • ethan whyte
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • kodi smit-mcphee
Q6

Who is Xanthe Whyte?

Xanthe Whyte is Ethan's wife, suffering from The Sickness which defines their tragic circumstances. She represents vulnerability and serves as the emotional anchor motivating Ethan's journey. Though her fate is sealed, her memory becomes a beacon of hope for Ethan, emphasizing love's enduring power even in a dying world.

  • xanthe whyte
  • wife
  • character
  • sickness
Q7

Who is Jude Mathers?

Jude Mathers is Ethan's guardian who swings between the roles of protector and antagonist during their journey through time. Driven by guilt and desperation, his complexity raises questions about morality in extreme circumstances. His choices heavily impact Ethan's decisions and ultimately lead to his tragic end.

  • jude mathers
  • guardian
  • antagonist
  • ryan kwanten
Q8

Who is Regina Jackson?

Regina Jackson is the Chief Technology Officer of Chronicorp, the corporation driving the mission to secure humanity's future. She is driven by cold calculation and willing to make ruthless choices, embodying themes of ambition and morality in a dying world. Her betrayal serves as a pivotal antagonistic force against which Ethan must struggle.

  • regina jackson
  • cto
  • chronicorp
  • deborah mailman
Q9

Why is synthetic oxygen important in 2067?

Synthetic oxygen is crucial because Earth has become uninhabitable due to climate change, nuclear warfare, and a deadly airborne illness. The surviving human population in Australia depends entirely on artificial oxygen to breathe, representing humanity's fragile hold on survival in a dying world.

  • synthetic oxygen
  • breathing
  • survival
  • atmosphere
Q10

What does the time travel element represent?

Time travel serves as a pivotal narrative device allowing Ethan to venture into a possible future. It raises questions about fate, choices, and the impact of our actions across different timelines. The exploration of time reflects Ethan's personal journey while embodying humanity's struggle to reclaim a future amidst despair.

  • time travel
  • future
  • past
  • timeline
  • fate
Q11

What kind of world has Earth become by 2067?

By 2067, Earth has become a bleak, dystopian world devastated by climate change and nuclear warfare. Humanity clings to survival in isolated pockets, particularly in Australia, surrounded by toxic landscapes. The environment is so damaged that humans must breathe synthetic oxygen to survive, representing the catastrophic consequences of human activity.

  • earth
  • dystopia
  • climate change
  • nuclear war
  • environment

Movie threads

More Movies Like 2067, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 2067 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Bleak Dystopian Survival Movies Like 2067

Characters endure desperate struggles in dying worlds defined by sacrifice and sorrow. If you liked the desperate struggle for survival in the dying world of 2067, explore more movies like it. This list features similar heavy, character-driven sci-fi stories set in bleak futures, where protagonists face immense emotional and physical challenges.

  • bleak
  • desperate
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • heavy
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: bleak, desperate
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread follow a protagonist or group navigating a harsh, often ecologically or socially collapsed world. The central conflict is typically against the environment itself, coupled with external threats, forcing characters to make profound sacrifices. The journey is less about triumphant victory and more about enduring loss and finding a sliver of hope or ensuring a future for others.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their oppressive, high-stakes dystopian settings and their focus on the heavy emotional toll of survival. They share a bleak tone, steady pacing that builds tension, and a core theme of sacrifice for a greater cause, creating a coherent experience of somber, high-intensity drama.

Time Travel Movies with Heavy Stakes Like 2067

Time travel missions that unravel personal truths and lead to poignant, world-altering sacrifices. For viewers who enjoyed the time travel mystery and emotional sacrifice in 2067, this list recommends similar films. Discover more sci-fi stories where journeys through time reveal dark secrets and lead to bittersweet, world-changing resolutions.

  • melancholic
  • reflective
  • suspenseful
  • mind-bending
  • sorrowful
  • tense
  • Tone: melancholic, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, mystery-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character sent on a mission through time, only to discover the true, often darker purpose of their journey is intertwined with their own identity or past actions. The plot revolves around a central mystery or twist that recontextualizes everything, leading to a final act where the protagonist must make a sacrificial choice that saves a future but leaves them isolated or forever changed.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their use of time travel as a vehicle for deep emotional and philosophical exploration, rather than pure adventure. They share a moderate complexity with a central mystery, a steady, suspenseful pacing, and a consistently heavy, melancholic mood that builds toward a conclusively bittersweet ending.

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Movies Like 2067

Similar movies to 2067: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

2067 (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 2067 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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