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Characters & Themes

Anthropoid (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 120 min · English
JustWatch #6,524 142
Directed by
Sean Ellis

During World War II, two Slovakian soldiers, Josef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, are sent on a dangerous mission into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Their objective is to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official responsible for the implementation of the Final Solution. After being parachuted into enemy territory in 1941, they face immense challenges, working with limited information and resources while attempting to evade and outmaneuver the formidable Nazi forces protecting Heydrich. The success or failure of their actions would have far-reaching consequences for Europe.

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 Anthropoid
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Anthropoid (2016)

Where can you watch Anthropoid? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Paramount Plus Essential: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Anthropoid Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Anthropoid (2016), 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.

  • Jozef Gabcik

    Jozef Gabcik is a determined agent tasked with carrying out Operation Anthropoid. His fearlessness is evident as he confronts formidable challenges, including physical injury and betrayal. Driven by his commitment to the Czech cause, Jozef embodies the spirit of resistance and ultimately faces the tragic consequences of his valor.

    • 🦸‍♂️ Hero
    • 🇨🇿 Resistance
    • 🤝 Loyalty
  • Jan Kubis

    Jan Kubis is Jozef's partner in the mission, displaying unwavering resolve despite the daunting obstacles they encounter. Though faced with self-doubt during the operation, his actions are crucial when the moment of truth arrives. Jan's complex nature reflects the struggles of resistance fighters caught between fear and bravery.

    • 🦸‍♂️ Hero
    • 🇨🇿 Resistance
    • 🙌 Determination
  • Reinhard Heydrich

    Reinhard Heydrich is portrayed as a ruthless architect of Nazi terror in Czechoslovakia. Dubbed the 'Butcher of Prague,' his chilling reputation precedes him, serving as the primary target of Operation Anthropoid. His character serves as a representation of the oppressive forces the resistance fighters seek to overthrow.

    • 👿 Villain
    • 🇩🇪 Nazi
    • ⚔️ Oppression
  • Dr. Eduard

    Dr. Eduard plays a supportive role by caring for Jozef's injuries and facilitating contact with the local resistance. His character exemplifies the critical role of civilians in the struggle against oppression, providing refuge and assistance to the brave agents fighting for their homeland.

    • 🏥 Caregiver
    • 🇨🇿 Support
    • 🤝 Community

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:35

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Setting

Where and When Does Anthropoid Take Place?

The setting of Anthropoid (2016): 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

1938-1942

The narrative spans from September 1938, marking the escalation of tensions leading up to World War II, through the dark times of the Nazi occupation, culminating in May 1942. This period is characterized by military aggression, resistance movements, and the horrors of war, ultimately leading to the tragic repercussions of defiance against tyranny.

Location

Czechoslovakia, Prague, Munich, Paris

The movie primarily takes place in Czechoslovakia, a nation that found itself under the dark shadow of Nazi occupation during World War II. Prague, its capital, serves as a focal point of resistance against the oppressive regime. Additionally, key events unfold in Munich, where significant political tensions arise, and Paris, which serves as a backdrop for Heydrich's planned visit.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🇨🇿 Country
  • ✈️ Travel

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:35

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3 major themes

Anthropoid Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Anthropoid (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Courage

    The theme of courage is depicted through the determination of the Czechoslovak agents as they embark on a perilous mission to assassinate a high-ranking Nazi official. Despite overwhelming odds, their bravery shines as they face severe consequences for standing up against oppression. This courage is not only in their actions but also in their willingness to inspire hope in a time of despair.

  • Resistance

    Resistance is a central theme, illustrating the struggle of a nation against occupiers. The agents symbolize the fight for freedom and the sacrifices made by many to confront an oppressive regime. Their mission, Operation Anthropoid, serves as a rallying point for the Czechoslovak spirit amid the turmoil of war and betrayal.

  • Sacrifice

    Sacrifice emerges as the agents face tragic consequences for their actions. The aftermath of their assassination attempt leads to horrific reprisals against innocent citizens, highlighting the high cost of their bravery. The theme emphasizes that acts of defiance can provoke devastating retribution, leaving a profound impact on those who dare to resist.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:35

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Character & theme questions

Anthropoid Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Anthropoid (2016): 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 does the movie take place?

Anthropoid is primarily set in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, with Prague serving as the main setting. Key scenes also take place in Munich, where political tensions emerge, and Paris, which factors into Heydrich's planned visit.

  • prague
  • czechoslovakia
  • munich
  • paris
  • nazi occupied
Q2

What time period is the film set in?

The film spans from September 1938 through May 1942, covering the escalation of tensions leading up to World War II and the dark years of Nazi occupation in Czechoslovakia.

  • 1938
  • 1942
  • world war 2
  • nazi occupation
  • czechoslovakia history
Q3

Who was Reinhard Heydrich?

Reinhard Heydrich was a high-ranking Nazi official known as the 'Butcher of Prague.' He was the Acting Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia and was responsible for implementing the Final Solution in Czechoslovakia, making him one of the most notorious figures of the Nazi regime.

  • reinhard heydrich
  • nazi
  • butcher of prague
  • reich protector
Q4

What was Operation Anthropoid?

Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the Czechoslovak resistance mission to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich. Two Slovakian soldiers, Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis, were parachuted into occupied Czechoslovakia in 1941 to carry out this perilous assignment.

  • operation anthropoid
  • assassination
  • heytrich mission
  • czechoslovak resistance
Q5

Who are the main characters Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis?

Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis are two Czechoslovak soldiers sent on a secret mission to assassinate Heydrich. Gabcik is portrayed as a determined, fearless agent driven by commitment to the Czech cause, while Kubis serves as his partner, displaying unwavering resolve despite facing doubt during critical moments.

  • jozef gabcik
  • jan kubis
  • agents
  • soldiers
  • resistance fighters
Q6

What are the main themes in the movie?

The film explores three interconnected themes: courage, as the agents face overwhelming odds to take a stand; resistance, representing the Czech nation's fight against occupiers; and sacrifice, as the devastating reprisals against civilians highlight the heavy price of defiance.

  • courage
  • resistance
  • sacrifice
  • themes
  • defiance
Q7

What happened after the assassination attempt?

Following Heydrich's assassination, Nazi forces launched brutal reprisals against the Czech population. The film depicts the horrific consequences, including the destruction of villages and mass executions, illustrating how acts of resistance provoked devastating retaliation from the occupying forces.

  • reprisals
  • nazi retaliation
  • lidice
  • civilians
  • villages destroyed
Q8

How does the film portray the Czech resistance movement?

The film depicts the Czech resistance as a desperate fight for freedom against overwhelming Nazi power. It shows the underground network providing crucial support to the agents, highlighting the courage of civilians who risked their lives to aid the resistance fighters.

  • czech resistance
  • underground
  • freedom fight
  • civilians
  • occupation
Q9

What is the historical significance of the mission?

Operation Anthropoid holds unique historical importance as the only successful assassination of a top Nazi leader during World War II. The mission became a symbol of Czech resistance and defiance, though its success came at tremendous human cost.

  • historical significance
  • ww2
  • assassination
  • nazi leader
  • world war 2
Q10

Who is Dr. Eduard in the story?

Dr. Eduard is a civilian character who provides crucial support to the resistance agents. He cares for Jozef's injuries and facilitates contact with the local underground network, representing the vital role that ordinary citizens played in helping resistance fighters evade capture.

  • dr eduard
  • civilian
  • support
  • resistance network
  • medical aid
Q11

What kind of world does the film depict?

Anthropoid depicts a dark world under Nazi occupation where ordinary people live in constant fear. The film shows a society divided between those who resist, those who collaborate, and those who simply try to survive, set against the brutal realities of war and tyranny.

  • nazi occupation
  • fear
  • society
  • war
  • tyranny
  • collaboration

Movie threads

More Movies Like Anthropoid, by Mood & Story

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

Resistance mission movies like Anthropoid

Tense stories of undercover operatives attempting high-stakes acts of defiance. If you liked the tense, high-stakes mission in Anthropoid, explore more movies about desperate resistance fighters. These films feature undercover operations, assassination plots, and acts of defiance in oppressive settings, delivering similar feelings of suspense and sacrifice.

  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • grim
  • claustrophobic
  • tragic
  • oppressive
  • Tone: tense, grim, tragic
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear, high-stakes objective—often an assassination or sabotage—planned and executed by a small, covert team. The plot is linear and focused, building tension through close calls, logistical hurdles, and the ever-present threat of discovery, frequently leading to a final, tragic stand.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific narrative structure of a covert mission, a tense and grim tone driven by life-or-death stakes, and a focus on the psychological and physical toll of resistance. The pacing is often fast, mirroring the urgency of the operation.

Bleak historical thrillers similar to Anthropoid

Grim, fact-based stories where defiance comes at a devastating personal cost. Fans of the grim, tragic atmosphere of Anthropoid will find similar stories here. These movies are intense historical dramas and thrillers based on true events, focusing on sacrifice, heavy consequences, and emotionally devastating endings that highlight the true cost of war.

  • grim
  • tragic
  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • oppressive
  • somber
  • Tone: grim, tragic, tense
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is based on true events, following characters who make immense personal sacrifices for a cause. The journey is straightforward and unflinching, building towards an ending that is historically accurate and emotionally devastating, underscoring the bleak reality of the situation rather than offering a conventionally happy resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to a bleak, historically accurate tone, a heavy emotional weight centered on sacrifice, and a tragic conclusion. They mix the tension of a thriller with the gravitas of a historical drama, creating a uniquely sobering vibe.

If you liked this

Movies Like Anthropoid

Similar movies to Anthropoid: 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

Anthropoid (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Anthropoid 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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