Cowards Bend the Knee

The film is framed as the 1930s, a period of classic hockey and noir mood. However, the narrative notes that some events reference the 1960s, creating an intentional temporal dissonance. The setting emphasizes atmosphere and theatricality over strict chronology.

The story unfolds in Winnipeg, centering on a hockey arena and the shadowy stretch of Liliom's beauty salon/bordello. The Winnipeg Maroons serve as backdrop, blending sport with dreamlike, surreal spaces. A hidden wax museum within the arena anchors the film's theatrical atmosphere.

👻 Memory & Ghosts

Veronica's spirit returns after death, complicating Guy's memories and guilt. The ghost relationship with Maddin Sr adds a surreal, boundary-crossing dimension. The wax museum and spectral visits bleed into the living world, challenging the idea of choice. The film uses ghosts to probe how memory shapes identity and responsibility.

🗡️ Revenge & Obsession

Meta uses revenge as leverage to manipulate Guy into murder. Guy's hands are 'possessed' by a mythic murderer's past, fueling his violent impulses. The plan to kill Liliom and Shaky dissolves into self-destructive acts, culminating in frenzied killings and betrayals. The obsession poisons relationships and distorts moral boundaries.

🎭 Performance & Reality

The entire world operates like a stage— salons, a beauty salon/bordello, the wax museum, and the arena all function as sets. Characters inhabit performative roles: lovers, killers, doctors, and players. Veronica's ghost dating Guy's father, Meta's manipulation, and the 'cowards' who abandon life highlight how performance masks true consequences.