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Characters & Themes

Anna (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 99 min · English
JustWatch #25,595 2
Directed by
Jorge Dorado
Starring
Brian Cox, Mark Strong, Taissa Farmiga

A detective with a unique ability investigates the case of a troubled teenager, Anna, accused of a serious crime. Through his efforts, he attempts to uncover the truth behind her past, navigating a fractured timeline of memories. As he delves deeper, he must confront unsettling truths about Anna and himself, questioning whether she is a dangerous killer or an innocent caught in a web of circumstance. The investigation reveals a complex and shocking reality.

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 Anna
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Anna (2014)

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

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Anna Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Anna (2014), 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.

  • Prince Stepan "Stiva" Oblonsky

    Stiva is a charming yet irresponsible husband whose infidelity sets off the film's chain of events. Despite his faults, he is depicted as a person seeking redemption and reconciliation, showcasing a blend of selfishness and vulnerability. His relationship with his wife highlights the tension between personal desires and familial responsibilities.

    • 👑 Aristocrat
    • 💔 Infidelity
    • 🍷 Indulgence
  • Anna Karenina

    Anna is a complex character torn between her societal duties and profound romantic desires. A respected socialite, her affair with Vronsky brings her both joy and devastating turmoil. Her character arc explores themes of identity and the tragic fallout of challenging societal norms, leading her to confront harsh realities about love and sacrifice.

    • 👩‍❤️‍👨 Love
    • 🥀 Tragedy
    • 🎭 Socialite
  • Count Alexi Vronsky

    Vronsky is a dashing and affluent suitor who becomes infatuated with Anna, representing both passion and societal risk. His relentless pursuit of Anna embodies romantic devotion but also reveals the tension between love and public shame. As their affair unfolds, Vronsky's character navigates the complexities of love amid the constraints of their society.

    • 💖 Charm
    • 🎩 Higher Society
    • ⚔️ Daring
  • Konstantin Levin

    Levin serves as a contrast to Anna's turmoil, embodying a more grounded approach to love and fulfillment. His struggles with romantic pursuits, particularly with Kitty, reflect the challenges of finding genuine connection amidst societal constraints. His journey offers a pastoral and philosophical perspective on love, ultimately leading to personal happiness.

    • 🌾 Farmer
    • 🌟 Idealism
    • 💑 Marriage

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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Setting

Where and When Does Anna Take Place?

The setting of Anna (2014): 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

1874

The story unfolds in the year 1874, a period marked by significant social and political changes in Russia. It reflects the complexities of aristocratic life, amidst the growing tensions between progressive ideals and rigid traditions. This era provides a rich backdrop for the themes of love and societal constraints explored in the narrative.

Location

Imperial Russia, Moscow, St. Petersburg

Set in Imperial Russia during the 19th century, the film intricately portrays the lives of aristocrats in a society marked by strict norms. Moscow serves as a central location for pivotal encounters, while St. Petersburg highlights Anna's past life of apparent luxury. The contrasting settings emphasize the character's emotional turmoil amidst societal expectations.

  • 🌍 Russia
  • 🏙️ City

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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3 major themes

Anna Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Anna (2014) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Forbidden Love

    The film centers around Anna's passionate but socially taboo relationship with Vronsky. This theme highlights the conflicts between personal desire and societal expectations, illustrating how love can both liberate and entrap individuals. The societal backlash faced by Anna emphasizes the tragic cost of pursuing forbidden love.

  • Societal Expectation

    The oppressive weight of societal norms is a recurring theme as characters navigate their desires against public scrutiny. From Anna's affair to Levin's pursuit of love, the story showcases the struggle between individual happiness and the roles imposed by society. These expectations force characters into painful dilemmas that drive the narrative forward.

  • Tragic Sacrifice

    Anna's journey reflects the theme of tragic sacrifice, where personal fulfillment leads to devastating consequences. Her emotional collapse illustrates the high stakes involved in challenging societal conventions. The theme resonates throughout the narrative, culminating in a poignant exploration of the price paid for love and loyalty.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:28

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Character & theme questions

Anna Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Anna (2014): 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 Anna set?

The film takes place in Imperial Russia during the 19th century, primarily in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Moscow serves as the setting for pivotal encounters, while St. Petersburg represents Anna's past life of luxury. These contrasting environments underscore the character's emotional conflict within a society governed by strict expectations.

  • imperial russia
  • moscow
  • st. petersburg
  • setting
  • 19th century
Q2

When does the story take place?

The story unfolds in 1874, a period marked by significant social and political changes in Russia. This era reflects the complexities of aristocratic life amidst growing tensions between progressive ideals and rigid traditions. The historical context provides a rich backdrop for exploring themes of love and societal constraints.

  • 1874
  • tsarist russia
  • 19th century
  • historical period
Q3

What is the Forbidden Love theme about in Anna?

The film centers around Anna's passionate but socially taboo relationship with Vronsky. This theme highlights the conflict between personal desire and societal expectations, showing how love can both liberate and entrap individuals. The societal backlash Anna faces emphasizes the tragic cost of pursuing forbidden romance.

  • forbidden love
  • vronsky
  • affair
  • societal taboo
  • passion
Q4

How does the film explore Societal Expectation?

The oppressive weight of societal norms runs throughout the narrative as characters navigate their desires against public scrutiny. From Anna's affair to Levin's pursuit of love, the story showcases the struggle between individual happiness and the roles imposed by society. These expectations force characters into painful dilemmas that drive the narrative forward.

  • societal norms
  • expectations
  • social class
  • public opinion
  • aristocracy
Q5

What does the Tragic Sacrifice theme represent?

Anna's journey reflects the theme of tragic sacrifice, where personal fulfillment leads to devastating consequences. Her emotional collapse illustrates the high stakes involved in challenging societal conventions. The theme resonates throughout the narrative, culminating in a poignant exploration of the price paid for love and loyalty.

  • tragic sacrifice
  • consequences
  • downfall
  • emotional collapse
  • price of love
Q6

Who is Anna Karenina?

Anna Karenina is a complex character torn between her societal duties and profound romantic desires. As a respected socialite, her affair with Vronsky brings her both joy and devastating turmoil. Her character arc explores themes of identity and the tragic fallout of challenging societal norms, leading her to confront harsh realities about love and sacrifice.

  • anna karenina
  • protagonist
  • socialite
  • vronsky
  • affair
Q7

Who is Count Vronsky?

Count Alexi Vronsky is a dashing and affluent suitor who becomes infatuated with Anna, representing both passion and societal risk. His relentless pursuit of Anna embodies romantic devotion but also reveals the tension between love and public shame. As their affair unfolds, Vronsky navigates the complexities of love amid the constraints of their society.

  • count vronsky
  • aristocrat
  • lover
  • passion
  • 追求
Q8

Who is Konstantin Levin?

Konstantin Levin serves as a contrast to Anna's turmoil, embodying a more grounded approach to love and fulfillment. His struggles with romantic pursuits, particularly with Kitty, reflect the challenges of finding genuine connection amidst societal constraints. His journey offers a pastoral and philosophical perspective on love, ultimately leading to personal happiness.

  • konstantin levin
  • kitty
  • love story
  • countryside
  • philosophy
Q9

Who is Prince Stepan Oblonsky?

Prince Stepan Stiva Oblonsky is a charming yet irresponsible husband whose infidelity sets off the film's chain of events. Despite his faults, he is depicted as a person seeking redemption and reconciliation, showcasing a blend of selfishness and vulnerability. His relationship with his wife highlights the tension between personal desires and familial responsibilities.

  • stiva oblonsky
  • prince
  • infidelity
  • husband
  • family
Q10

What is life like for Russian aristocracy in the film?

The film intricately portrays the lives of aristocrats in Imperial Russia, a society marked by strict norms and expectations. Characters move between Moscow and St. Petersburg, with St. Petersburg representing Anna's past life of apparent luxury. The setting emphasizes the character's emotional turmoil amidst societal expectations that demand propriety and restraint.

  • aristocracy
  • russian nobility
  • social elite
  • upper class
  • high society
Q11

What is the main conflict in Anna?

The central conflict revolves around Anna's forbidden love affair with Vronsky, which threatens her social position and family. While Anna pursues passionate fulfillment, she faces devastating consequences from a society that demands adherence to rigid marital norms. This creates a tense narrative exploring the clash between personal desire and societal condemnation.

  • love triangle
  • affair
  • scandal
  • conflict
  • social judgment

Movie threads

More Movies Like Anna, by Mood & Story

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

Slow burn psychological character studies like Anna

Intimate and deliberate explorations of a troubled mind under pressure. If you liked Anna's deep dive into a troubled psyche, you'll find similar films here. These movies share a slow, deliberate pacing that builds intense psychological tension, focusing on complex characters in emotionally heavy narratives. They are similar dramas and thrillers with a dark tone and tragic outcomes.

  • somber
  • claustrophobic
  • psychological
  • melancholic
  • deliberate
  • oppressive
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, oppressive
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a single, complex protagonist through a psychologically taxing journey. The narrative unfolds slowly, often through fractured timelines or deep introspection, revealing the character's past and motivations as they confront a defining crisis. The central conflict is as much internal as external.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared commitment to a slow, character-centric pace, a dark and intense emotional weight, and a focus on psychological depth over fast-paced action. They create a claustrophobic, somber mood that draws viewers into the protagonist's troubled world.

Tragic dramas of forbidden love like Anna

Passionate affairs collide with rigid social norms, leading to devastating consequences. Viewers who appreciated Anna's focus on forbidden love and its tragic costs will find more movies like it here. This collection features heavy dramas where passionate romances defy social rules, leading to intense emotional turmoil, moral dilemmas, and often bleak or sad endings. These are similar tragic love stories.

  • tragic
  • passionate
  • yearning
  • melancholic
  • oppressive
  • somber
  • Tone: dark, passionate, tragic
  • Pacing: slow to steady, emotionally driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a central, often illicit, romantic relationship that flourishes in secret but is eventually discovered or challenged by external forces. The story explores the immense societal pressure and personal shame that follows, leading to a downward spiral for the characters and an ending that reinforces the destructive power of the transgression.

Why they belong together: These films share a core thematic focus on a passionate, forbidden romance that leads to ruin. They are united by a high romance score paired with an equally high sadness score, a dark tone, and heavy emotional weight stemming from the consequences of defying social taboos.

If you liked this

Movies Like Anna

Similar movies to Anna: 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

Anna (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Anna 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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