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About My Father (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

About My Father (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 89 min · English
Echo score 50
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Directed by
Laura Terruso
Starring
Anders Holm, Brett Dier, David Rasche, Deborah Tucker, Jessie Camacho, Kim Cattrall
Budget
$30M

Sebastian, a successful realtor living in Los Angeles, decides to bring his aging Sicilian father, Salvo, to meet his fiancée and her eccentric family. The clash of cultures leads to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected connections. As Sebastian navigates the chaos, he and his father discover the importance of family and embracing their unique traditions and quirks.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like About My Father
  9. 9 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

About My Father Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of About My Father (2023), 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.

  • Sebastian

    played by Sebastian Maniscalco

    Sebastian is a grounded character navigating the complexities of love and family, caught between his traditional Sicilian roots and the affluent world of his girlfriend, Ellie. He is humorous, genuine, and deeply cares for his father, while also confronting his own insecurities and aspirations.

    • ❤️ Love
    • 👨‍👦 Family
    • 😂 Comedy
  • Salvo

    played by Robert De Niro

    Salvo is Sebastian's eccentric father, known for his flamboyant personality and hairstyling skills. His whimsical approach to life often leads to humorous situations, while his strong familial bond with Sebastian showcases the depth of their relationship.

    • 👨‍👦 Fatherhood
    • 😂 Comedy
    • 🎨 Creativity
  • Ellie

    played by Leslie Bibb

    Ellie is a spirited and supportive partner to Sebastian, representing the complexities of love across different social standings. Her creative spirit and strong family ties make her a pivotal character in navigating familial expectations and romantic aspirations.

    • ❤️ Love
    • 🌟 Ambition
    • 🎨 Creativity

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:14

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6 characters · 7 connections · contains spoilers

About My Father Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in About My Father: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
SSebastianSebastian ManiscalcoEEllieLeslie BibbBBillTTiggerLLuckyDDoug

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:14

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Setting

Where and When Does About My Father Take Place?

The setting of About My Father (2023): 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

Modern Day

Set in contemporary times, the film highlights modern issues surrounding family dynamics, relationships, and cultural heritage. During this period, societal changes are reflected in the ways families interact and support each other, particularly in mixed backgrounds like that of Sebastian and Ellie.

Location

Sicily, Chicago

The movie primarily unfolds in a lavish summer estate owned by Ellie's family, showcasing an opulent lifestyle connected to wealth and status. Additionally, it explores themes of familial heritage, particularly reflecting the Sicilian roots that deeply influence Sebastian's identity.

  • 🌍 Location
  • 🏖️ Summer Estate

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:14

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3 major themes

About My Father Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is About My Father (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Family Bonds

    Central to the narrative is the theme of family bonds, emphasizing the importance of relationships and how they influence individual growth. Characters' connections highlight the struggles and joys of navigating family ties, showcasing both comedic and heartfelt moments.

  • Celebration

    The film highlights the theme of celebration, evident through the Fourth of July festivities and various family gatherings. These events serve not only as a backdrop for pivotal moments but also as a catalyst for character development and emotional revelations.

  • Cultural Heritage

    Sebastian's reflection on his rich Sicilian heritage serves as a poignant reminder of cultural identity and the values it instills. The contrast between his family's background and Ellie's affluent lifestyle enriches the narrative and explores the blending of different cultures.

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:14

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Character & theme questions

About My Father Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about About My Father (2023): 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 About My Father set?

The movie primarily takes place at a lavish summer estate owned by Ellie's family, representing an opulent lifestyle of wealth and status. The story also references Sicily and Chicago, reflecting Sebastian's Italian heritage and his connection to his roots.

  • setting
  • summer estate
  • location
  • sicily
  • chicago
Q2

What time period is About My Father set in?

The film is set in modern day, contemporary times. It reflects current societal dynamics around family relationships and cultural heritage, particularly how modern families with mixed backgrounds interact and navigate their differences.

  • time period
  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • era
Q3

What is the main theme of About My Father?

The central themes include family bonds, celebrating the importance of relationships and personal growth through familial connections. The film also explores cultural heritage, highlighting the contrast between Sebastian's Sicilian roots and Ellie's affluent American lifestyle, ultimately showing how different backgrounds can harmonize.

  • themes
  • family bonds
  • cultural heritage
  • traditions
Q4

Who is Sebastian in About My Father?

Sebastian is the protagonist, a successful realtor living in Los Angeles who finds himself caught between his traditional Sicilian roots and the wealthy world of his girlfriend Ellie. He is portrayed as genuine and humorous, deeply caring for his father while navigating his own aspirations and insecurities.

  • sebastian
  • main character
  • protagonist
Q5

Who is Salvo in About My Father?

Salvo is Sebastian's eccentric Sicilian father, known for his flamboyant personality and skills as a hairstylist. His whimsical approach to life creates many humorous situations, and his strong bond with Sebastian showcases the deep relationship between father and son.

  • salvo
  • father
  • robert de niro
  • sicilian
Q6

Who is Ellie in About My Father?

Ellie is Sebastian's fiancée, a spirited and supportive partner who comes from an affluent family. She represents the complexities of love across different social standings and serves as a bridge between Sebastian's working-class background and her family's elite world.

  • ellie
  • leslie bibb
  • fiancée
  • love interest
Q7

What role does the Fourth of July play in About My Father?

The Fourth of July celebration is central to the film's theme of celebration, serving as a pivotal backdrop for character development and emotional revelations. This holiday gathering brings families together and becomes a catalyst for both comedic moments and heartfelt connections between the different family cultures.

  • fourth of july
  • celebration
  • holiday
  • family gathering
Q8

What cultural clash does About My Father explore?

The film explores the clash between Sebastian's working-class Italian heritage and Ellie's wealthy, aristocratic family background. This cultural divide drives much of the comedy through misunderstandings and hilarious faux pas, while also highlighting themes of acceptance and understanding across different social classes.

  • cultural clash
  • class differences
  • italian heritage
  • wealth
Q9

What does the summer estate represent in the movie?

The lavish summer estate owned by Ellie's family represents opulence, privilege, and the world Sebastian must navigate as he prepares to marry into Ellie's family. It contrasts sharply with Sebastian and Salvo's background, symbolizing the social and cultural divide they must bridge.

  • summer estate
  • mansion
  • wealth
  • privilege
Q10

What is the movie's message about family?

About My Father delivers a message about embracing family traditions and quirks while recognizing that bonds transcend cultural and class differences. The film shows that authentic connections matter more than social status, and that family acceptance comes through genuine understanding and humor.

  • family message
  • acceptance
  • traditions
  • relationships
Q11

Is About My Father based on a true story?

Yes, the film is loosely based on comedian Sebastian Maniscalco's real-life experience introducing his Sicilian father to his wealthy girlfriend's family. The character of Sebastian is played by Sebastian Maniscalco himself, adding authenticity to the comedic scenarios.

  • based on true story
  • sebastian maniscalco
  • real life
Q12

What genre is About My Father?

About My Father is a comedy film that uses humor to explore themes of family, cultural heritage, and relationships. The tone is light and humorous, featuring comedic situations like cultural misunderstandings and eccentric family moments, while also delivering heartfelt emotional beats.

  • comedy
  • genre
  • film type

Movie threads

More Movies Like About My Father, by Mood & Story

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

Culture Clash Family Comedies like About My Father

Humorous stories where different families and traditions collide with heart. If you loved the hilarious misunderstandings and warm heart in About My Father, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features comedies where families from different worlds meet, finding humor and connection in their differences. Discover similar funny and heartfelt stories about embracing traditions and new relationships.

  • humorous
  • warm
  • heartfelt
  • familial
  • uplifting
  • playful
  • Tone: light, humorous, warm
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear structure centered around a specific event, like a wedding meeting or a holiday gathering. The central conflict is social and cultural, driven by well-intentioned but awkward interactions. The journey resolves not with victory for one side, but with a mutual understanding and appreciation that strengthens the family bonds.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on lighthearted, humorous takes on cultural and class differences within a family context. They balance comedic set-pieces with a genuine, uplifting emotional core, resulting in a feel-good experience where laughter leads to connection.

Father-Son Bonding Comedies like About My Father

Charming comedies about fathers and sons reconnecting through humorous events. Fans of the dynamic between Sebastian and Salvo in About My Father will appreciate these movies. This collection highlights comedies centered on the unique, often humorous, bond between fathers and sons. Explore similar stories of generational clashes, awkward moments, and ultimately, heartfelt reconciliation and love.

  • heartfelt
  • humorous
  • familial
  • uplifting
  • generational
  • bonding
  • Tone: light, heartfelt, humorous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a catalyst—a visit, a trip, or a life event—that brings a somewhat distant father and son into close quarters. Their differences are played for comedy, but the underlying arc is one of reconciliation. The son often seeks approval or understanding, while the father learns to accept his son's choices, culminating in a moment of genuine connection.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared gentle, comedic exploration of the father-son dynamic. They prioritize warmth and humor over heavy drama, creating an uplifting viewing experience centered on familial love and the quiet journey of understanding between generations.

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Movies Like About My Father

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Every angle

About My Father (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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

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