Every Day (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place across several key locations that reflect different aspects of teenage life. The beach serves as a backdrop for joy and spontaneity, representing moments of freedom. The aquarium symbolizes curiosity and wonder, while the school embodies the struggles of adolescence where relationships evolve and identity is tested.

• setting
• locations
• beach
• aquarium
• school

Every Day is set in contemporary times, reflecting the complexities of modern teenage life. The presence of smartphones and social media throughout the film highlights how digital connections shape today's youth culture and relationships.

• time period
• contemporary
• modern
• setting

The film explores three interconnected themes. Love examines how connection can transcend physical boundaries, emphasizing emotional bonds over physical appearance. Self-Discovery follows Rhiannon's journey of identity exploration through her relationship with A. Heartbreak addresses the bittersweet nature of love and the painful process of growing up and letting go.

• themes
• love
• self-discovery
• heartbreak
• identity

A is a mysterious entity that inhabits a different body each day, presenting a new identity every 24 hours. This supernatural being represents the fluidity of identity and challenges perceptions of connection, forcing both Rhiannon and viewers to question what it truly means to love someone.

• A
• identity
• mysterious entity
• body switching

Rhiannon is a thoughtful and introspective 16-year-old who undergoes significant self-discovery throughout the film. She is the emotional center of the story, navigating her feelings for both her boyfriend Justin and the ever-changing A, which forces her to confront her own identity and desires.

• Rhiannon
• protagonist
• self-discovery

Justin is Rhiannon's boyfriend, portrayed by Justice Smith. He represents the comfort and familiarity of first love, serving as a mirror for Rhiannon's evolving emotions. His presence highlights the challenges of teenage relationships and the tension between stability and new experiences.

• Justin
• boyfriend
• Rhiannon's boyfriend

Amy is a new girl at school, played by Jeni Ross, who is seeking anonymity and understanding. Her interactions with Rhiannon reveal the complexities of friendship and personal expression during adolescence, adding another layer to the film's exploration of identity and connection.

• Amy
• new girl
• friendship

Every Day argues that true love transcends physical appearance and bodily form. Through Rhiannon's deepening connection with A, who changes bodies daily, the film explores whether love can exist without physical constancy and challenges readers to consider what truly defines a meaningful relationship.

• love
• emotional connection
• identity

A's daily body-switching serves as a powerful metaphor for exploring identity and self-discovery. It represents how people present different aspects of themselves in various contexts and challenges the idea that identity is tied to physical form. The concept pushes Rhiannon to look beyond appearance and understand the essence of a person.

• body switching
• identity
• metaphor
• self-discovery

The film maintains a bittersweet tone throughout, balancing the joy of Rhiannon's connection with A against the inherent sadness of its daily expiration. While the premise is emotionally charged, the pace is steady and character-driven, anchored by serious themes like identity and suicide contemplation but ultimately hopeful about teenage self-discovery.

• tone
• bittersweet
• emotional
• mood

The beach in Every Day symbolizes joy, spontaneity, and freedom, contrasting with the structured struggles of school life. It represents a space where Rhiannon experiences moments of pure happiness with A, embodying the film's theme that love can exist in fleeting, precious moments.

• beach
• symbolism
• joy
• freedom

The aquarium serves as a symbol of curiosity and wonder in the film. It represents a liminal space where Rhiannon and A can explore their connection away from the pressures of everyday teenage life, reflecting the film's themes of discovery and the beauty of unexpected connections.

• aquarium
• curiosity
• wonder
• discovery