Flatland (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Flatland is a two-dimensional world inhabited by sentient geometric shapes, lines, triangles, squares, and polygons, that live under a fragile democratic system. The society is strictly hierarchical based on the number of sides a shape has, with Circles holding the highest political power. The world features cities with walls and Senate chambers where political decisions are made, but this order is threatened by riots and martial law as the story unfolds.

• flatland setting
• 2d world
• geometric shapes
• polygon society

The story unfolds in the year 3000, specifically three days before the grand celebration. This transitional moment is marked by heightened political tension as riots erupt following a controversial Senate meeting, with martial law beginning to creep into Flatland as the regime cracks down on dissent.

• year 3000
• flatland timeline
• future setting
• celebration day

Spaceland is a mysterious three-dimensional realm introduced by A Sphere, who travels from this higher plane of existence to Flatland. Its discovery challenges the inhabitants' fundamental beliefs about reality and becomes politically dangerous as the ruling Circles fear that accepting a third dimension would undermine their authority. The journey into Spaceland represents both intellectual revelation and existential threat.

• spaceland
• third dimension
• a sphere
• higher plane

Chromatism is a movement advocating for self-expression and color in a society that penalizes any deviation from the norm. A Hexagon, A Square's son, becomes the first female Chromatist charged by the state, making the family a target for the regime. This theme represents civil rights tensions and the struggle between individual freedom and political order.

• chromatism
• color movement
• flatland social issues
• self-expression

The Senate's clash with revolutionary ideas leads to martial law and deadly confrontations across Flatland. President Circle's regime escalates violence to suppress dissent following the Senate massacre, creating a city-wide atmosphere of fear. The riot exposes the fragility of the Great Southern Republic's democracy as it struggles against internal factions and external threats.

• power
• control
• martial law
• senate
• president circle
• great southern republic

Arthur Square (A Square) is a sworn attorney at law in Flatland who becomes entangled in a political crisis after defending a Chromatist client. His curiosity about Spaceland drives him to discover the existence of a third dimension, which threatens Flatland's social order. His revelations push him toward a daring plan to defect to the Northern Kingdom, making him both a catalyst for change and a target of the regime.

• arthur square
• a square
• protagonist
• attorney
• flatland hero

A Sphere (also known as Spherius) is a visitor from Spaceland who serves as CEO of Messiah, Inc., a powerful organization tied to Spaceland's gospel. He travels to Flatland to persuade A Square of the reality of higher dimensions, becoming the catalyst for both the education about three dimensions and the political crisis that unfolds as the regime fears losing control.

• a sphere
• spherius
• messenger
• messiah inc
• spaceland visitor

Flatland operates under a democratic system that has been ruled by Circles for a millennium. The hierarchy is determined by the number of sides a polygon has, more sides means higher social status. Circles hold the presidency and dominate the Senate, using their authority to maintain control. The system becomes increasingly oppressive as martial law is declared following riots, with President Circle using force to suppress any form of dissent.

• circles
• political system
• hierarchy
• polygon society
• senate

The Northern Kingdom is a neighboring realm to Flatland with different political policies. It represents an alternative society that A Square considers fleeing to as the political situation in Flatland deteriorates. The existence of this neighboring realm highlights the broader world beyond Flatland and suggests different approaches to governance and social order.

• northern kingdom
• neighboring realm
• flatland politics
• escape

The discovery of a third dimension by A Sphere challenges everything Flatland's inhabitants believe about reality. This revelation becomes intellectually thrilling yet politically dangerous, as those in power fear that accepting higher dimensions would destroy their understanding of society and their ability to control it. The theme explores how new knowledge can threaten established order.

• dimensions
• third dimension
• reality
• knowledge
• paradigm shift

A Hexagon is A Square's child and the first female Chromatist to be charged in Flatland. Her arrest exposes the social and political costs of the Chromatism movement, as the family becomes targeted by the regime for their deviation from society's norms. Her case represents the broader theme of persecution against those who seek self-expression and identity.

• a hexagon
• chromatist
• persecution
• female character
• flatland family

Flatland is an animated science fiction film that blends mathematical allegory with political commentary. The tone is tense, dealing with themes of persecution, rebellion, and the psychological toll of paradigm-shifting revelations. The narrative combines steady political tension with fast-paced escapes and cosmic journeys, creating a complex emotional experience centered on existential threats and societal collapse.

• animation
• sci-fi
• tone
• style
• allegorical film