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Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2007 · 84 min · English
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Directed by
Les Mayfield
Starring
Cedric the Entertainer, Lucy Liu, Nicollette Sheridan
Budget
$20M

After suffering a blow to the head, Jake, played by Cedric the Entertainer, finds himself with amnesia and a confused identity. Caught in a web of mistaken identity, he becomes involved in a dangerous government conspiracy. Both the CIA and FBI believe he possesses vital information, leading to a high-stakes chase as he struggles to recover his memories and prevent a massive arms deal from taking place.

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 (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Code Name: The Cleaner
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Code Name: The Cleaner Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Code Name: The Cleaner (2007), 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.

  • Jake (Cedric the Entertainer)

    Jake is a man suffering from amnesia, thrust into a world of danger and deception. Caught between his fragmented memories and the present, he navigates a chaotic unraveling of his identity. Amid laughter and danger, he transforms from a confused janitor to a determined player trying to reclaim his life.

    • 🤔 Amnesia
    • 🎭 Transformation
    • 🧑‍🚀 Courage
  • Diane (Lucy Liu)

    Diane is a mysterious woman who claims to be Jake's wife, using charm and seduction to manipulate him. Her true intentions remain shrouded in secrecy, making her a deceptive yet compelling character. As the story unfolds, her role as both a confidant and an antagonist highlights the blurred line between love and betrayal.

    • 💋 Manipulation
    • 💼 Deception
    • 💖 Intrigue
  • Gina (Nicollette Sheridan)

    Gina is a waitress who reveals herself as a Federal agent, adding layers of complexity to her character. Her determination to assist Jake while navigating her own challenges creates an engaging dynamic. Gina's commitment to uncovering the truth and her unexpected romantic interest in Jake further enrich her role in the story.

    • 👮‍♀️ Federal Agent
    • ❤️ Romance
    • 💥 Conflict

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:42

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Setting

Where and When Does Code Name: The Cleaner Take Place?

The setting of Code Name: The Cleaner (2007): 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

The events of the movie take place in a contemporary setting, where modern technology and corporate espionage intersect. The plot hovers around the present day, reflecting current themes such as identity, memory loss, and the complications of undercover operations. The escalation of events suggests a fast-paced world dominated by tech firms and law enforcement agencies.

Location

Hotel, Mansion, Digital Arts Video Game Company (DART), Boca Raton

The story unfolds in several significant locations, starting with a hotel where Jake finds himself next to a dead body. The mansion, which Diane claims is Jake's home, is a large estate filled with mystery, while the Digital Arts Video Game Company (DART) serves as the hub for Jake's past as a janitor. Boca Raton, known for its upscale living and tech ventures, plays a crucial role as the potential location of the stolen computer chip.

  • 🏨 Hotel
  • 🏰 Mansion
  • 🎮 Video Game Company

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:42

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3 major themes

Code Name: The Cleaner Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Identity

    The central theme of the movie revolves around Jake's struggle with his lost identity following an amnesia incident. As he uncovers his past, the concept of who he really is becomes a pivotal aspect of both his personal journey and the plot. The tension created by his conflicting memories fuels the excitement and uncertainty throughout the story.

  • Espionage

    Espionage plays a crucial role in the narrative as Jake finds himself entangled in a web of secrecy involving a stolen computer chip. The movie explores the consequences of betrayal, the risks associated with undercover work, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in the world of covert operations. The theme is enhanced by the involvement of various factions, including the FBI and a tech company.

  • Gaming Culture

    The influence of gaming culture is prominent, paralleling Jake's journey with his experiences in the digital world. The video game setting provides both a backdrop and a metaphor for Jake's identity navigation and the challenges he faces. The incorporation of video game elements highlights the intersection of reality and virtual identity.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:42

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Character & theme questions

Code Name: The Cleaner Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Code Name: The Cleaner (2007): 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 Code Name: The Cleaner set?

The movie takes place across several key locations, primarily in a hotel where Jake wakes up confused next to a dead body, a large mansion that serves as his supposed home, and a Digital Arts Video Game Company (DART) where he works as a janitor. Boca Raton, Florida, plays a significant role as both an upscale setting and the potential location of the stolen computer chip driving the conspiracy.

  • boca raton
  • mansion
  • hotel
  • dart
  • video game company
  • setting
Q2

What time period does Code Name: The Cleaner take place in?

The movie is set in the contemporary present day, featuring modern technology and current themes of identity, memory loss, and corporate espionage. The world portrayed is fast-paced and dominated by tech firms and law enforcement agencies, reflecting today's digital age.

  • present day
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
Q3

What are the main themes of Code Name: The Cleaner?

The movie explores three primary themes: Identity, as Jake struggles with amnesia and discovers who he truly is; Espionage, involving a stolen computer chip and various factions like the FBI and a tech company; and Gaming Culture, which serves as both a backdrop and metaphor for navigating identity in a digital world.

  • identity
  • espionage
  • gaming
  • themes
  • memory loss
Q4

Who is Jake in Code Name: The Cleaner?

Jake is the main character, played by Cedric the Entertainer, who suffers from amnesia after a blow to the head. He is thrust into a dangerous world of deception, navigating between his fragmented memories and a present reality where both the CIA and FBI believe he has vital information about a government conspiracy.

  • cedric the entertainer
  • Jake
  • amnesia
  • protagonist
  • janitor
Q5

Who is Diane in Code Name: The Cleaner?

Diane, played by Lucy Liu, is a mysterious woman who claims to be Jake's wife. She uses charm and seduction to manipulate him, and her true intentions remain shrouded in secrecy throughout the film. Her role highlights the blurred line between love and betrayal.

  • lucy liu
  • Diane
  • wife
  • antagonist
  • manipulation
Q6

Who is Gina in Code Name: The Cleaner?

Gina, played by Nicollette Sheridan, is a waitress who is revealed to be a Federal agent. She assists Jake in uncovering the truth while navigating her own challenges, and develops an unexpected romantic interest in him. Her commitment to the investigation creates an engaging dynamic in the story.

  • nicollette sheridan
  • Gina
  • FBI agent
  • waitress
  • federal agent
Q7

What role does the video game company play in Code Name: The Cleaner?

The Digital Arts Video Game Company (DART) serves as the hub for Jake's past life as a janitor. The gaming setting provides both a literal backdrop and a metaphorical framework for Jake's journey of identity navigation, highlighting the intersection of reality and virtual identity.

  • dart
  • video game company
  • gaming
  • janitor
  • technology
Q8

Why is Boca Raton important to the story?

Boca Raton is significant as both an upscale Florida location and the potential site where the stolen computer chip is being held. The city represents the world of tech ventures and corporate espionage that Jake becomes entangled in, tying together the film's themes of modern technology and high-stakes conspiracy.

  • boca raton
  • florida
  • computer chip
  • tech
  • location
Q9

How does Code Name: The Cleaner explore identity?

The identity theme centers on Jake's struggle with amnesia and his journey to uncover his true self. As he recovers fragments of his past, the concept of who he really is becomes pivotal to both his personal growth and the plot. His transformation from a confused janitor to someone reclaiming his life drives the narrative tension.

  • identity
  • amnesia
  • self-discovery
  • memory
  • character arc
Q10

How does espionage factor into Code Name: The Cleaner?

Espionage drives the narrative as Jake becomes entangled in a web of secrecy involving a stolen computer chip. The movie explores betrayal, the risks of undercover work, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in covert operations. Multiple factions including the FBI, CIA, and a tech company create complex stakes.

  • espionage
  • CIA
  • FBI
  • conspiracy
  • betrayal
  • spy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Code Name: The Cleaner, by Mood & Story

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

Funny Amnesia Movies like Code Name: The Cleaner

Humorous mysteries where the hero must piece together their own identity. If you enjoyed the chaotic fun of Code Name: The Cleaner, you'll like these movies where characters with memory loss stumble through dangerous and silly situations. Discover other comedies and action films that use amnesia as a springboard for mistaken identity, frantic chases, and lighthearted mystery.

  • confused
  • silly
  • mistaken identity
  • lighthearted
  • chaotic
  • escapade
  • Tone: light, silly
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread begin with a character who has lost their memory, creating an immediate personal mystery. The plot unfolds as they react to external pressures—often from villains or allies who believe them to be someone else—while trying to uncover the truth about their own past, leading to a series of comedic misadventures and reveals.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared premise of amnesia used for comedic effect, blending mystery with lighthearted action. They typically feature a fast pace, low emotional stakes, and a tone that prioritizes silly situations and character-based humor over genuine tension.

Mistaken Identity Spy Comedies like Code Name: The Cleaner

Ordinary people mistaken for secret agents in over-the-top adventures. Find more movies like Code Name: The Cleaner where regular folks are caught in spy conspiracies. These films blend action and comedy with a fish-out-of-water premise, offering a lighthearted and energetic take on the spy genre without the heavy drama or intense violence.

  • action-packed
  • fish out of water
  • spoof
  • energetic
  • silly
  • improvised hero
  • Tone: light, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an ordinary protagonist who, through a case of mistaken identity, is forced to play the role of a secret agent. The story is driven by a series of improbable escapes, comedic action sequences, and the protagonist using their unremarkable skills in unexpectedly clever ways to survive and triumph.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific comedic subversion of the spy genre. The core similarity is the fish-out-of-water dynamic, a light tone that pokes fun at spy tropes, and action that is presented as chaotic and fun rather than gritty and realistic.

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Every angle

Code Name: The Cleaner (2007) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Code Name: The Cleaner 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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