22 vs. Earth

The Great Before is a liminal realm in the afterlife where souls wait before being assigned to Earth. It functions as a calm, rule-bound space with counselors who guide souls toward their destinies. The setting contrasts with Earth as a safe, predictable environment versus the tempting but imperfect world of human connection.

The movie is set before the events of Soul, during a period the data describes as the Pre-Soul era. This is a time when souls in the Great Before are contemplating whether to embark on life on Earth, and the meaning of life is still being questioned by the realm's guardians.

The Resistance theme centers on 22 leading a covert movement to keep souls from joining Earth, challenging the status quo of the Great Before. It explores whether rebellion can be a path to personal meaning, what it costs to defy a larger system, and the tension between loyalty to friends and the allure of belonging versus autonomy.

The Identity theme follows the recruits searching for a sense of self beyond predefined roles, examining how name, group identity, and choice shape who they become. The story questions how much of identity is chosen versus given by circumstance, with individual desires clashing against collective goals.

Earthly Longing explores Earth as a lure of genuine connection, experience, and the chance to shape a life. The theme presents tension between the safety of the Great Before and the risks of Earth, prompting meditation on what truly gives life meaning. It hints at a broader inquiry about purpose that transcends any single movement.

22 is a cunning, disillusioned soul voiced by Tina Fey who resents Earth and leads the APOCALYPSE movement to keep souls from departing. She believes withholding Earthly escape will protect her circle of friends, though her actions threaten them. Beneath her charisma lies a fear of abandonment and a fierce drive to define life on her own terms.

The soul recruits include Macaroni, who shares an intimate bond with 22 through a hug and represents innocence; Zimmy, who chooses Earth out of curiosity for authentic connections; Peanut, a conflicted recruit torn between loyalty to 22 and pursuing an individual path; D-Pac, a determined thinker who helps navigate rebellion and belonging; Moonbeam, an empathetic soul revealing the emotional consequences of choosing Earth; Happy Soul, a bright presence offering hope; and Neptune, a resourceful adventurer broadening perspectives on Earth's possibilities.

Counselor Jerry appears in two portrayals (voiced by Alice Braga and Richard Ayoade) as soul counselors observing 22's schemes with calm, guiding demeanors. They represent mentorship and the ethical complexities of guiding souls toward their futures. The two portrayals introduce contrasting voices, one with thoughtful skepticism and one with a different approach, adding depth to the mentorship dynamic.

The Great Before is depicted as a calm, rule-bound celestial waystation where souls await their destiny with counselors guiding them, representing safety and predictability. Earth represents the living world and the tempting but imperfect realm of human connection, carrying both risk and the promise of genuine experience and meaning.

The movie has a whimsical, low-intensity tone set in a gentle, non-threatening afterlife environment. Despite touching on themes of purpose and loss of friends, the presentation remains comedic and fantastical. The story features a playful concept of a secret resistance movement with silly nicknames for soul recruits, creating a philosophical comedy that is light in emotional weight.