Angels and Insects

Set during Queen Victoria's reign, the period champions propriety and social hierarchy. William returns from an Amazon expedition to catalog the Alabaster collection and educate the children, a task that blends science with romance and secrecy. The era's emphasis on reputation and lineage drives the characters' choices and the revelations that unfold.

The action unfolds on a grand Victorian estate in rural England, centered on the Alabaster household and its lush grounds. The surrounding forest, stables, and manor rooms provide the setting for William's naturalist studies, social maneuvering, and intimate moments with Eugenia and Matty. The environment reflects rigid class codes and wealth, contrasting with William's modest origins and the mysteries within the family.

🎭 Class & Power

Wealth and social status dictate who may marry, what lives are permissible, and what secrets can remain hidden. William's humble background clashes with the Alabaster aristocracy, shaping loyalties and the risk of ruin if reputation is compromised. The marriage between a naturalist and an heiress exposes the masks people wear in polite society. The film uses these tensions to question how power sustains itself at personal cost.

🧬 Science & Discovery

William's pursuit of natural history drives his life and the narrative. He catalogs specimens, observes ant colonies, and collaborates with Matty, whose intellect and curiosity match his own. The couple's scientific work intersects with romance, secrecy, and the dream of exploration beyond social boundaries. The Amazon expedition frames the longing for knowledge as a form of escape.

💔 Love & Secrets

Romantic passions are entangled with guilt, manipulation, and hidden loyalties within a rigid household. Eugenia's relationship with William is tempered by fear and desire, while Edgar's coercive behavior reveals a dangerous undercurrent in aristocratic life. The shocking confession of incest and the revelation of paternity force characters to choose between truth and protection of the vulnerable. In the end, William and Matty seek a new life away from the past, keeping some secrets to shield others.