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Assassination Nation (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Assassination Nation (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 108 min · English
Echo score 70
Directed by
Sam Levinson
Starring
Colman Domingo, Bill Skarsgård, Joel McHale, Danny Ramirez, Anika Noni Rose, Suki Waterhouse
Budget
$7M

When an anonymous hacker reveals the private secrets of a group of high school friends, their small town descends into a chaotic spiral of judgment and revenge. Lily and her companions find themselves caught in a dangerous game as their lives unravel and they struggle to protect themselves from the escalating fallout. Facing public scrutiny and increasingly hostile encounters, they must confront the dark side of social media and fight to survive a terrifying night.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  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 Assassination Nation
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Assassination Nation (2018)

Where can you watch Assassination Nation? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Fandango at Home Free and Plex: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Assassination Nation Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Assassination Nation (2018), 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.

  • Lily Coulson

    played by Odessa Young

    Lily is a high school senior whose life spirals out of control as her secrets are exposed. Intelligent and resourceful, Lily transforms from a passive observer to an active combatant against the chaos engulfing her community. Her journey is marked by resilience as she navigates betrayal and fights for her friends amidst overwhelming odds.

    • 👩‍🎓 Student
    • 💪 Resilient
  • Bex

    played by Hari Nef

    Bex is Lily's close friend who initially shows vulnerability tied to her romantic feelings for Diamond. As the events unfold, her strong demeanor reveals a character shaped by heartbreak and indifference towards the unfolding chaos. With a penchant for honesty, Bex becomes a voice of reason amidst the turmoil.

    • 👭 Friend
    • 😔 Vulnerable
  • Principal Turrell

    played by Colman Domingo

    Principal Turrell is an empathetic but conflicted figure who attempts to navigate the ethical dilemmas presented by the students’ behavior. Tasked with maintaining order, he finds himself caught in the chaos when his personal life is exposed. His character embodies the struggles of authority in the face of societal breakdown.

    • 🏫 Educator
    • 💼 Authority
  • Nick Mathers

    played by Joel McHale

    Nick is the seemingly benign neighbor who has a hidden and twisted relationship with Lily. His charm conceals a more sinister nature as he manipulates trust for his gain. Ultimately, he represents the dangers of hidden predatory behaviors lurking beneath a facade of normalcy.

    • 👨‍💼 Neighbor
    • 🥷 Manipulator
  • Em

    played by Abra

    Em is one of Lily’s friends who becomes a victim of the rampant violence in Salem. Her character showcases loyalty and bravery as she faces dire situations. Despite her vulnerability, Em's determination to survive underscores the film's message about the strength of friendship.

    • 👭 Friend
    • 🌪️ Brave

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

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Setting

Where and When Does Assassination Nation Take Place?

The setting of Assassination Nation (2018): 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

The film takes place in the present time, where digital technology and social media play significant roles in the unfolding drama. This contemporary setting allows for the exploration of modern issues such as cyberbullying, public shame, and the consequences of privacy invasion. The chaos that ensues reflects the complexities of today's society.

Location

Salem, MA

Salem, MA, is a small, historic town famous for its witch trials in the 1690s. In this movie, the town serves as the backdrop for a series of bizarre events that challenge the sanity of its residents. Known for its quaint charm, Salem becomes a chaotic setting where trust and morality unravel.

  • 🏘️ Town
  • 🌆 Community

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

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3 major themes

Assassination Nation Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Assassination Nation (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Broken Trust

    The theme of broken trust resonates throughout the movie, as personal relationships are torn apart by betrayal and public exposure. The characters experience profound feelings of isolation and shame, leading to conflict and chaos in their community. Trust once held among friends disintegrates as secrets are revealed, highlighting the fragility of human connections.

  • Resistance

    Resistance is a central theme as Lily and her friends fight back against the malevolent forces threatening their lives. The girls’ courage and determination to reclaim their agency become a powerful message about standing up against oppression. Their ultimate confrontation highlights the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.

  • Digital Dilemmas

    The impact of technology and social media is a critical theme in this story. The film illustrates how easily information can be manipulated and how digital platforms can amplify personal scandals. This presents a commentary on the dangers of privacy invasion and the lasting consequences of online actions, particularly for young individuals.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

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Character & theme questions

Assassination Nation Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Assassination Nation (2018): 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

Why is Salem, Massachusetts used as the movie's setting?

Salem serves as the setting because its notorious history as the site of the 1690s witch trials creates a powerful parallel to the film's events. Just as the witch trials involved public accusations and mob mentality, the movie depicts a modern-day witch hunt where digital exposure replaces physical persecution. The town's quaint, historic charm contrasts sharply with the chaos that unfolds, emphasizing how quickly trust can unravel in a small community.

  • salem massachusetts setting
  • witch trials
  • small town setting
  • salem setting significance
Q2

How does the modern day setting impact the story's themes?

The contemporary setting allows the film to explore how digital technology and social media amplify real-world conflicts. The present-day setting is essential because the story hinges on data breaches, online exposure, and the instant spread of information. Without modern technology, the mechanism of mass public humiliation that drives the plot would not be possible.

  • modern setting
  • social media impact
  • digital age
  • technology role
Q3

What does the Broken Trust theme explore in Assassination Nation?

Broken Trust examines how the exposure of private secrets destroys relationships and community bonds. The theme shows how quickly personal connections disintegrate when hidden truths become public, leaving characters isolated and vulnerable. This fragility of human relationships is central to the film's exploration of how modern society can turn against itself.

  • broken trust theme
  • betrayal
  • relationship breakdown
  • community trust
Q4

How is the Resistance theme portrayed in the movie?

The Resistance theme follows Lily and her friends as they transition from victims to fighters against the forces threatening their lives. Their journey represents a reclaiming of agency in the face of oppression, emphasizing the strength and resilience required to stand up to mob mentality. The theme celebrates collective action and female empowerment amid chaos.

  • resistance theme
  • female empowerment
  • fighting back
  • agency
Q5

What does the Digital Dilemmas theme examine?

Digital Dilemmas explores how technology and social media can be weaponized to destroy lives, examining the permanence and reach of digital actions. The theme highlights the vulnerability of private information in an interconnected world and the devastating consequences of privacy invasion, particularly for young people.

  • digital dilemmas theme
  • social media dangers
  • privacy invasion
  • cyber issues
Q6

Who is Lily Coulson and what is her role in the story?

Lily Coulson is the film's protagonist, a high school senior whose life unravels when her private secrets are exposed online. She transforms from a passive observer into a resilient fighter who takes action to protect herself and her friends. Her journey represents the theme of resistance and personal growth under extreme circumstances.

  • lily coulson protagonist
  • main character
  • lead role
Q7

Who is Bex and what role does she play?

Bex is one of Lily's closest friends, characterized by her strong demeanor and a complicated romantic situation involving her feelings for another character named Diamond. Despite her tough exterior, she experiences vulnerability related to heartbreak. Throughout the chaos, Bex often serves as a voice of reason and honesty.

  • bex character
  • lily friend
  • supporting character
Q8

Who is Principal Turrell and what is his role?

Principal Turrell is the school principal who attempts to maintain order as the town descends into chaos. He is portrayed as an empathetic but conflicted figure dealing with the ethical dilemmas presented by the students' behavior. His character becomes caught in the turmoil when his own personal life is exposed, representing how the crisis affects authority figures.

  • principal turrell
  • authority figure
  • school principal
Q9

Who is Nick Mathers and why is he significant?

Nick Mathers is Lily's seemingly friendly neighbor who harbors a sinister, predatory nature beneath his charming exterior. He represents hidden dangers lurking within ordinary communities and the theme of trust being exploited by those with malicious intent. His character embodies the theme of broken trust and the dangers of false appearances.

  • nick mathers neighbor
  • antagonist
  • predatory behavior
  • hidden danger
Q10

Who is Em and what role does she play?

Em is one of Lily's friends who becomes directly victimized by the escalating violence in Salem. Her character demonstrates loyalty and bravery in dangerous situations, showcasing the personal costs the chaos inflicts on the group. Em's fate underscores the film's themes about vulnerability and the extreme consequences of mob mentality.

  • em character
  • lily friend
  • victim
  • supporting character

Movie threads

More Movies Like Assassination Nation, by Mood & Story

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

Modern Tech Nightmare Thrillers like Assassination Nation

Thrillers where technology becomes a tool for chaos and public judgment. If you liked the way Assassination Nation uses a hacking scandal to trigger a town's collapse, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This thread groups films that explore similar themes of social media spirals, privacy violation, and mass hysteria, for viewers seeking stories about the terrifying potential of modern technology.

  • paranoid
  • urgent
  • anxious
  • brutal
  • chaotic
  • vengeful
  • Tone: dark, tense
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative often begins with a single technological breach or viral event that exposes secrets and ignites public outrage. This leads to an uncontrollable escalation, where characters are hunted by a faceless mob or a vengeful community, forcing them into a desperate fight for survival against a new kind of digital-age threat.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a central focus on technology as a catalyst for horror and thriller elements. They create a specific, urgent paranoia rooted in the present day, blending familiar genres with contemporary fears about the loss of privacy and the power of online mobs.

Cathartic Chaos and Survival Stories like Assassination Nation

Stories where surviving a night of brutal chaos leads to a defiant new beginning. For viewers who appreciated the intense survival struggle and defiant ending of Assassination Nation, this thread collects movies with a similar arc. These films focus on groups enduring a night of extreme violence and chaos, emerging with a mixed but ultimately cathartic sense of power and rebellion.

  • brutal
  • cathartic
  • vengeful
  • urgent
  • chaotic
  • defiant
  • Tone: dark, cathartic
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative structure is a rapid descent into hell, often compressed into a single night or short period. A group of protagonists faces overwhelming external aggression, forcing them to shed their old selves and fight back with escalating ferocity. The journey is defined by survival horror beats that lead to a climax of bloody retribution and a new, hardened identity for the survivors.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their specific emotional mix: they are relentlessly intense and heavy, yet they provide a powerful release through the protagonists' ultimate victory. The focus is on the transformative power of surviving collective trauma, resulting in a ending that feels both triumphant and scarred.

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Movies Like Assassination Nation

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Every angle

Assassination Nation (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Assassination Nation 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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