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Crooked House (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Crooked House (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 115 min · English
Echo score 60
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Directed by
Gilles Paquet-Brenner
Starring
Terence Stamp, Christina Hendricks, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Honor Kneafsey, Julian Sands

When a wealthy and influential man dies suddenly, private detective Charles Hayward, a former spy, is called in to investigate. He finds himself embroiled in a complex case involving the Leonides family, a group with many secrets and potential motives. Hayward must carefully examine the relationships and uncover the truth behind the suspicious death, navigating a web of deceit and hidden agendas within the eccentric and dysfunctional household.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (10)
  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 Crooked House
  8. 8 Every angle
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10 main characters · contains spoilers

Crooked House Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Crooked House (2017), 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.

  • Sophia Leonides

    played by Stefanie Martini

    Sophia is a determined and intelligent young woman who seeks justice for her grandfather's suspicious death. Her conviction in foul play drives the story forward, revealing her strength and vulnerability as she navigates her complex family dynamics and romantic past with Charles.

    • 👩‍⚖️ Investigator
    • 💔 Heartbroken
  • Charles Hayward

    played by Max Irons

    Charles is a private investigator with a complicated history that ties him to Sophia. He is initially reluctant to take on the case but finds himself irrevocably drawn into the mystery as he confronts the dark legacy of the Leonides family, battling his own emotions along the way.

    • 🔎 Investigator
    • 📖 Romantic
  • Chief Inspector Taverner

    played by Terence Stamp

    As the police inspector involved in the investigation, Taverner provides guidance and credibility to Charles's inquiries. He bridges the gap between the investigation and law enforcement, showcasing a level of loyalty and respect for his profession and Charles’s family ties.

    • 👮‍♂️ Inspector
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Authority
  • Lady Edith de Haviland

    played by Glenn Close

    A complex character filled with bitterness, Lady Edith despises Aristide for the impact he had on her family. Armed with a shotgun, she embodies resentment and the weight of generational trauma, making her a vital piece in the family dynamic and investigation.

    • 🔫 Bitter
    • 👵 Matriarch
  • Philip Leonides

    played by Julian Sands

    Aristide’s eldest son, Philip struggles with his father's neglect and his own gambling addiction. His tumultuous relationship with his father adds depth to his character, showcasing the pressures of familial expectations and personal demons.

    • 🃏 Gambler
    • 😞 Neglected
  • Magda Leonides

    played by Gillian Anderson

    Philip's wife, Magda, is a fading theater actress who shows resilience amidst her struggles with family dynamics. Her understanding of Philip's pain reflects her depth, balancing personal challenges while navigating the family's dark secrets.

    • 🎭 Actress
    • 💔 Supportive
  • Josephine Leonides

    played by Honor Kneafsey

    The young granddaughter, Josephine, channels her anguish over her grandfather's oppressive nature in mischievous ways. Her secretive behavior and childhood resentment paint a picture of a girl burdened by familial struggles, ultimately linking her more deeply to the unfolding mystery.

    • 👧 Spy
    • 🎭 Resentful
  • Clemency Leonides

    played by Amanda Abbington

    Clemency is Roger's wife with a troubling depth of knowledge about poisons, positioning her as a key player in the family drama. Her intelligence and cunning only serve to intensify the suspicions surrounding Aristide's death and the family's deadly secrets.

    • 🧪 Toxic
    • 💅 Manipulative
  • Roger Leonides

    played by Christian McKay

    The younger son of Aristide, Roger is depicted as struggling to manage the family business under his father's shadow. His reliance on Aristide for support speaks to a fraught relationship while revealing his desperation to step out from his father's influence.

    • 🏢 Businessman
    • 📉 Struggling
  • Brenda Leonides

    played by Christina Hendricks

    As Aristide's much younger second wife, Brenda becomes a central figure in the mystery surrounding his death. Her relationship with Laurence Brown further complicates her character, positioning her as both a suspect and a potential victim of family dynamics.

    • ❤️ Young Wife
    • 🤔 Suspicious

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:21

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Setting

Where and When Does Crooked House Take Place?

The setting of Crooked House (2017): 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 film is set in a contemporary era, likely around the late 20th to early 21st century. During this period, themes of family betrayal, wealth disparities, and personal struggles are prevalent, reflecting societal changes and familial dynamics.

Location

Leonides estate, Cairo

The Leonides estate is a sprawling property that embodies both the wealth and tensions of the Leonides family. Known for its grandeur, the estate holds the secrets and resentments of its inhabitants, making it a character in its own right. Cairo, where Charles and Sophia share a romantic past, symbolizes their unfulfilled connection and provides a backdrop for the investigation.

  • 🏡 Estate
  • 🏜️ City

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:21

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3 major themes

Crooked House Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Crooked House (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Mystery

    The movie intricately weaves a tale of mystery as Charles Hayward navigates a web of family secrets and deceit to uncover the truth about Aristide Leonides's death. The tension builds as each family member reveals layers of resentment, showcasing a complex environment ripe for intrigue.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal runs deep within the Leonides family as personal agendas clash amid an atmosphere of greed and resentment. Each character's interaction reveals a history of hurt feelings and unaddressed anger, culminating in tragic consequences that challenge the bonds of family.

  • Investigation

    At the heart of the narrative is Charles's investigation into a suspicious death that exposes the darker side of human nature. The unfolding mysteries reveal not only the complexities of family relationships but also the lengths one might go to for love and financial gain.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:21

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Character & theme questions

Crooked House Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Crooked House (2017): 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 story takes place primarily at the Leonides estate, a sprawling and grand property that serves as both a symbol of the family's wealth and a container for their secrets and resentments. The estate becomes almost a character itself, representing the decay beneath the surface of the wealthy family.

  • leonides estate
  • setting
  • location
  • family home
Q2

What is Cairo's role in the story?

Cairo appears as a significant location representing the unfulfilled connection between Charles Hayward and Sophia Leonides. They share a romantic past in Cairo, which adds emotional depth to their present-day investigation and highlights the personal stakes Charles has in solving the case.

  • cairo
  • charles hayward
  • sophia leonides
  • romance
  • past
Q3

When does the movie take place?

Crooked House is set in a contemporary era, likely around the late 20th to early 21st century. This modern setting allows the story to explore themes of family betrayal, wealth disparities, and personal struggles that resonate with current societal dynamics.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • setting
  • era
Q4

What are the main themes in the movie?

The movie explores three interconnected themes: mystery, as Charles navigates family secrets to uncover the truth about Aristide's death; betrayal, which runs deep within the family as personal agendas clash amid greed and resentment; and investigation, as the suspicious death exposes the darker side of human nature and family relationships.

  • themes
  • mystery
  • betrayal
  • investigation
  • family secrets
Q5

Why is betrayal central to the story?

Betrayal is central because the Leonides family is consumed by longstanding resentments and hurt feelings among its members. Each character harbors grievances toward Aristide Leonides, and the investigation reveals how these accumulated betrayals create a motive-rich environment where anyone could have wanted him dead.

  • betrayal
  • family secrets
  • resentment
  • motives
  • aristide
Q6

Who is Sophia Leonides?

Sophia Leonides is a determined and intelligent young woman who becomes the catalyst for the investigation by insisting that her grandfather Aristide's death was murder, not natural causes. Her conviction drives the story forward while she navigates her complex family dynamics and reconnects with Charles Hayward, with whom she shares a romantic past.

  • sophia leonides
  • granddaughter
  • investigator
  • justice
  • protagonist
Q7

Who is Charles Hayward?

Charles Hayward is a private investigator with a complicated past who is called in to investigate Aristide Leonides's suspicious death. Though initially reluctant to take the case due to his history with Sophia, he becomes drawn into unraveling the family's dark secrets while confronting his own emotions.

  • charles hayward
  • private investigator
  • detective
  • protagonist
  • spy
Q8

Who is Lady Edith de Haviland?

Lady Edith de Haviland is Aristide's sister, a bitter woman who despises her brother for the impact he had on her family. She carries a shotgun and embodies deep resentment rooted in generational trauma, making her a significant suspect and a vital piece in understanding the family's poisoned dynamics.

  • lady edith de haviland
  • sister
  • resentment
  • shotgun
  • suspect
Q9

Who is Brenda Leonides?

Brenda Leonides is Aristide's much younger second wife, making her a central figure in the mystery surrounding his death. Her relationship with Laurence Brown complicates her position in the family, raising questions about her motives and making her both a suspect and a potential victim of the family's dynamics.

  • brenda leonides
  • second wife
  • suspect
  • younger wife
  • laurence brown
Q10

What makes the Leonides family dysfunctional?

The Leonides family is dysfunctional due to a combination of accumulated resentments, financial pressures, and personal failings among its members. Philip struggles with gambling addiction, Roger feels overshadowed by his father, Lady Edith carries bitter grudges, and Josephine channels her anguish in mischievous ways, all set against a backdrop of greed and betrayal.

  • leonides family
  • dysfunction
  • secrets
  • greed
  • relationships
Q11

Who is Clemency Leonides?

Clemency Leonides is Roger's wife and possesses a troubling depth of knowledge about poisons, which positions her as a key suspect in Aristide's death. Her intelligence and cunning add to the web of suspicion surrounding the family, as her expertise in such a deadly subject makes her particularly dangerous in the family's poisonous atmosphere.

  • clemency leonides
  • poison
  • suspect
  • roger's wife
  • knowledge
Q12

How does the investigation unfold?

The investigation unfolds methodically as Charles interviews each family member, gradually revealing layers of resentment and hidden motives. The steady pacing allows for careful attention to each suspect's relationship with Aristide, building tension as the truth slowly emerges within the claustrophobic estate setting.

  • investigation
  • suspects
  • interviews
  • method
  • aristide's death

Movie threads

More Movies Like Crooked House, by Mood & Story

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

Claustrophobic Family Murder Mysteries like Crooked House

Mysteries where the suspects are all trapped within a single, dysfunctional household. If you enjoyed the tense, contained investigation in Crooked House, you'll like these movies that feature a murder within a dysfunctional family. These similar mystery stories focus on a closed cast of suspects in a single setting, building suspense as long-buried family secrets come to light.

  • claustrophobic
  • suspenseful
  • deceitful
  • oppressive
  • melancholic
  • tragic
  • Tone: dark, ominous
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: A shocking death within a wealthy or eccentric family unit triggers an investigation that forces every family member's secrets and resentments into the open. The narrative hinges on peeling back the layers of polite facades to reveal the rot beneath, often uncovering a history of betrayal, greed, and psychological damage that made the tragedy inevitable.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared focus on a contained cast of suspects, a singular oppressive setting, and the thematic exploration of how familial dysfunction can fester into criminality. The mood is consistently suspenseful, deceitful, and claustrophobic.

Mysteries with Tragic Endings like Crooked House

Investigation stories where uncovering the truth leads to profound sadness, not justice. For viewers who appreciated the bleak and emotionally heavy conclusion of Crooked House, this list features movies like it where the detective's success comes at a great emotional cost. These similar crime films deliver a solution that is heartbreaking rather than satisfying, leaving a lasting melancholic feel.

  • tragic
  • melancholic
  • sad
  • heavy
  • thought-provoking
  • bleak
  • Tone: dark, tragic, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: A detective, often an outsider, methodically works to solve a crime, believing truth will bring closure. However, the final discovery undermines this premise, revealing a truth so personally devastating—such as a child perpetrator, a noble motive twisted into evil, or a necessary sacrifice—that it renders the investigative victory hollow and deeply sorrowful.

Why they belong together: They share a core narrative structure of a classic investigation but subvert the typical satisfying conclusion. The unifying element is the heavy emotional payoff, where the tone shifts from mystery to tragedy, leaving a dominant feeling of sadness and loss.

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Movies Like Crooked House

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Every angle

Crooked House (2017) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Crooked House in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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