Attraction (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in Moscow, Russia. After an alien spacecraft crashes in the city, Moscow is placed under curfew and heavy military guard. The landing site is fenced off and evacuated as authorities manage the unprecedented crisis, making the urban landscape the backdrop for human-alien encounters and the unfolding societal conflict.

• moscow
• russia
• alien crash
• setting
• location

The story is set in present-day contemporary Russia with near-future technology elements. The events unfold rapidly from an initial meteor-like crash to a full government lockdown, reflecting a tense climate of security and public upheaval typical of modern disaster scenarios.

• present day
• contemporary
• modern
• russia
• time period

The film explores four major themes: Love vs Fear (the romance between Yulya and the alien Hekon challenges distrust of outsiders), Ethics of Contact (Earth's moral dilemma about engaging with a superior species), Water and Survival (water scarcity drives social unrest and becomes essential to the alien's survival), and Technology and Trust (advanced alien technology reshapes human perception and potential diplomacy).

• themes
• love vs fear
• ethics of contact
• water
• technology
• trust

Yulya Lebedeva is the main protagonist, a resourceful and impulsive young woman who evolves from curious observer to active defender of the alien Hekon. She defies military orders to protect him and retrieve his armor, driving the moral arc of the story. Her relationship with Hekon tests her loyalty to her father, Colonel Lebedev, and to Earth, ultimately influencing the alien's mission.

• yulya
• lebedeva
• protagonist
• main character
• hekon

Hekon is an alien envoy from a technologically advanced race, sent on a mission of observation. He demonstrates empathy and willingness to cooperate with humans, seeking his Shilk device to travel safely through space. His developing trust with Yulya becomes central to the story and could potentially alter Earth's stance toward interstellar contact.

• hekon
• alien
• extraterrestrial
• envoy
• contact

Artyom is Yulya's former romantic interest who becomes the main antagonist. Driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge after Yulya chooses Hekon, he leads a faction that attacks the alien's ship and incites a riot that escalates into broader conflict. His character represents how fear and anger can fuel violent, misguided responses to the unknown.

• artyom
• antagonist
• villain
• jealousy
• revenge

Colonel Valentin Lebedev is Yulya's father and a high-ranking military officer in charge of the operation surrounding the alien crash. He balances his duty to contain the situation with personal concern for Yulya's safety. He displays stern leadership while navigating between calls for military restraint and eventual acknowledgment of possible peaceful contact with the alien.

• colonel
• lebedev
• military
• officer
• yulya father

Water scarcity becomes a critical plot element, driving social unrest during the alien crisis. The city struggles with rationing while the alien spacecraft requires water to repair itself. This creates life-or-death stakes around the resource, with riots erupting at pumping stations. The crisis binds human survival to the fate of the extraterrestrial visitor.

• water
• scarcity
• survival
• riots
• rationing
• resources

The alien's advanced technology, including his Shilk device and spacecraft, outpaces Earth's defenses and represents capabilities that could alter humanity's future. As Yulya's dedication challenges military caution, trust between humans and the alien evolves. Technology becomes a means to overcome fear, reshaping how both sides perceive each other and opening possibilities for diplomacy.

• technology
• shilk device
• alien ship
• trust
• advanced technology

The romance between Yulya and Hekon tests personal loyalty against national safety. Their relationship challenges the instinct to distrust outsiders and questions whether compassion can coexist with precaution. The bond becomes a catalyst that could redefine Earth's attitude toward interstellar visitors, with human emotions ultimately influencing the course of the alien's mission.

• love
• romance
• yulya
• hekon
• fear
• xenophobia
• relationship

The Russian military implements a rapid response to the unprecedented event, establishing a perimeter around the crash site, evacuating the area, and placing Moscow under curfew. Colonel Lebedev leads the operation, balancing aggressive containment measures with increasingly necessary diplomatic considerations as the situation evolves from curiosity to full-scale social disruption.

• military
• curfew
• lockdown
• response
• government
• containment

Svetlana Morozova is Yulya's friend whose death during the meteor-like alien crash serves as a catalyst for the story's emotional stakes. Her loss heightens the dread surrounding the alien encounter and motivates key character decisions, particularly Yulya's personal involvement in the alien case.

• svetlana
• morozova
• death
• friend
• yulya friend

The film carries a predominantly tense tone driven by societal fear, military lockdown, and the threat of violence. However, it is ultimately balanced by a hopeful ending. The emotional weight is heavy, dealing with themes of xenophobia and societal breakdown, though the interspecies romance and pivotal pregnancy add depth to what becomes a bittersweet yet hopeful resolution.

• tone
• atmosphere
• tense
• hopeful
• xenophobia
• emotional