Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Big Game (2015) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Big Game (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 110 min · English
JustWatch #26,258 1
Directed by
Jalmari Helander

Deep in the Finnish wilderness, a young boy’s coming-of-age experience takes a dramatic turn when he discovers the wreckage of Air Force One. He finds himself unexpectedly protecting the President of the United States, who is also stranded. Now, they must work together, using their skills and courage, to escape a relentless group of kidnappers and navigate the dangerous terrain in a desperate fight for survival.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Big Game
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Big Game (2015)

Where can you watch Big Game? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Troma NOW, Fawesome and FlixHouse: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Big Game Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Big Game (2015), 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.

  • Oskari

    Oskari is a brave 13-year-old boy with a passion for deer hunting, who finds himself in a life-or-death situation. Initially unsure of his abilities, he learns to tap into his courage as he helps save the President. His character embodies resilience and growth, transitioning from a boy seeking approval to a hero in his own right.

    • 🧒 Young Hero
    • 🎯 Determination
  • William Alan 'Bill' Moore

    Bill Moore is the President of the United States who finds himself stranded and in danger after his plane is shot down. He showcases leadership and composure under pressure, relying on resourcefulness and establishing trust with Oskari. His character development is marked by his realization of the importance of collaboration and mentorship.

    • 👔 Leader
    • 💼 Responsibility
  • Morris

    Morris is the antagonist in the story, a traitor among the President's security detail who betrays Bill to the terrorists. His character represents manipulation and treachery, as he uses his knowledge of the President's vulnerabilities for his own gains. Morris' actions lead to intense conflicts and highlight the theme of betrayal.

    • 😈 Traitor
    • 🔫 Danger

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Big Game Take Place?

The setting of Big Game (2015): 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 contemporary times, reflecting modern technology and political issues. This era sees advanced military technology, such as Air Force One, juxtaposed with traditional hunting practices in the wilderness. The storyline captures the urgency of present-day threats and the dynamics of survival.

Location

Finland, Norway

The movie is set in the breathtaking and rugged landscapes of Finland and Norway, known for their vast wilderness and beautiful mountains. Finland's forested regions provide the perfect backdrop for Oskari's deer hunting journey, while the Norwegian farmhouse plays a crucial role in the plot's turning points. These countries are renowned for their outdoor activities and rich hunting traditions.

  • 🇫🇮 Finland
  • 🇳🇴 Norway

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

Was this helpful?

2 major themes

Big Game Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Big Game (2015) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Courage

    Courage is a central theme as Oskari, a young boy, must rise to the occasion to save the President. His journey transforms from a timid hunter to a courageous hero, showcasing the importance of bravery in the face of danger. The film emphasizes the idea that true courage comes in many forms and can emerge from the most unexpected places.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal plays a significant role in the film, particularly through the character of Morris, who deceives the President and leads to perilous situations. This theme highlights how trust can be manipulated and the consequences that follow. The storyline illustrates the impact of betrayal on relationships and the fight for survival.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Big Game Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Big Game (2015): 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 the movie set?

The movie is set in the wilderness of Finland and Norway, featuring vast forests, rugged mountains, and remote landscapes. Finland's forested regions serve as the primary backdrop for Oskari's hunting journey and the survival story, while a Norwegian farmhouse plays a key role in the plot's turning points.

  • finland wilderness
  • norway
  • setting
  • location
  • forests
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The film takes place in modern times, featuring contemporary technology like Air Force One alongside traditional hunting practices. This contrast between advanced military equipment and age-old wilderness survival skills creates a unique dynamic throughout the story.

  • modern day
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • era
Q3

What are the main themes in the movie?

The film centers on two major themes: courage, as a young boy must rise to become a hero to save the President, and betrayal, as a member of the President's security detail betrays him to the terrorists. These themes explore how true bravery can emerge from unexpected places and how trust can be manipulated.

  • courage
  • betrayal
  • themes
  • heroism
  • trust
Q4

Who is Oskari and what is his role?

Oskari is a 13-year-old Finnish boy with a passion for deer hunting who unexpectedly becomes the President's protector after Air Force One is shot down. Initially uncertain of his abilities, he learns to tap into his courage and survival skills to help Bill Moore escape the kidnappers.

  • oskari
  • main character
  • young hero
  • hunter
Q5

Who is President Bill Moore?

President Bill Moore is the President of the United States who becomes stranded in the Finnish wilderness after his plane is shot down. He demonstrates strong leadership and composure under pressure, relying on his resourcefulness and eventually forming a bond with Oskari as they work together to survive.

  • president bill moore
  • president
  • leader
  • main character
Q6

Who is the antagonist in the movie?

Morris is the film's main antagonist, a traitor within the President's security detail who betrays Bill to the terrorists. He uses his knowledge of the President's vulnerabilities to lead him into danger, representing manipulation and treachery throughout the story.

  • morris
  • antagonist
  • traitor
  • villain
  • betrayal
Q7

Why is the Finnish wilderness important to the story?

The Finnish wilderness serves as both a dangerous threat and an unexpected advantage. Its vast, rugged terrain provides the perfect setting for the cat-and-mouse survival story, while Oskari's traditional hunting knowledge gives him and the President a fighting chance against the technologically superior terrorists.

  • finnish wilderness
  • forests
  • survival
  • hunting
  • terrain
Q8

What is the tone and genre of the film?

The movie is an action-adventure film with a tense, fast-paced tone. The story maintains high intensity due to the relentless threat from well-armed terrorists and the life-or-death stakes of protecting the President. The narrative is straightforward, following a classic buddy dynamic between Oskari and the President.

  • action
  • adventure
  • tone
  • intensity
  • genre
Q9

What is the relationship between Oskari and the President?

The relationship between Oskari and President Moore evolves from initial awkwardness to mutual respect and collaboration. The President, initially skeptical of the boy's abilities, comes to recognize Oskari's courage and valuable survival skills, while Oskari finds a mentor figure in the President.

  • relationship
  • bond
  • collaboration
  • mentor
  • partnership
Q10

How does the movie end and what is the tone of the resolution?

The movie has a happy, unambiguous ending where Oskari is celebrated as a hero. This positive resolution reinforces the adventurous spirit of the film and underscores its themes of courage and unexpected heroism, providing a satisfying conclusion to the survival story.

  • ending
  • resolution
  • hero
  • celebration
  • conclusion

Movie threads

More Movies Like Big Game, by Mood & Story

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

High-Stakes Wilderness Survival Movies like Big Game

Ordinary people pushed to their limits against nature and ruthless pursuers. If you enjoyed the survival action of Big Game, you'll like these movies where characters must rely on their skills and courage to endure a dangerous wilderness while being hunted. These films share a tense, fast-paced vibe and a focus on gritty outdoor survival against human adversaries.

  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • adventurous
  • high-stakes
  • urgent
  • courageous
  • Tone: tense, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a catastrophic event that strands the protagonist(s) in a remote, hazardous environment. The plot is a linear sequence of escapes, confrontations, and resource-gathering as they are pursued by a clear, dangerous antagonist. The narrative arc is one of resilience and adaptation under extreme pressure.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core premise: a desperate fight for life in the wild. They deliver a consistent mood of tense suspense and adventurous spirit, with fast pacing and high intensity driven by immediate physical danger and the challenge of the terrain itself.

Unlikely Duo Survival Action Movies like Big Game

Mismatched partners must overcome differences to survive a common threat. Fans of the dynamic between the boy and the President in Big Game will enjoy these films centered on an improbable partnership forged in crisis. These stories focus on the bond that develops between mismatched characters as they work together to overcome a shared, overwhelming threat.

  • heroic
  • tense
  • courageous
  • character-driven
  • high-stakes
  • unlikely friendship
  • Tone: tense, heroic
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around the evolving relationship between the two central characters. Initial distrust or cultural clash gives way to mutual reliance and respect as they face a series of escalating challenges. The plot is driven by their combined problem-solving, often highlighting how their contrasting strengths complement each other to achieve victory.

Why they belong together: These films are united by the core dynamic of an improbable partnership. The appeal lies in watching a compelling character duo develop under extreme pressure, which creates a satisfying emotional arc alongside the action and suspense. The tone often blends tension with moments of camaraderie.

If you liked this

Movies Like Big Game

Similar movies to Big Game: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Big Game (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Big Game 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app