Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Fallen (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Fallen (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 91 min · English
Echo score 36
JustWatch #14,167 9
Directed by
Scott Hicks
Starring
Harrison Gilbertson, Lola Kirke, Malachi Kirby, Jeremy Irvine, Daisy Head, Joely Richardson

Lucinda "Luce" Price's life takes a dramatic turn when she's wrongly accused and sent to the intimidating Sword & Cross reform school. There, she experiences unsettling visions and encounters, finding herself drawn to two mysterious students, each concealing dangerous secrets. As Luce investigates her past and discovers a connection to fallen angels, she must decide between an eternal bond and a chance at a normal life, all while facing a threat to her well-being and the truth about her identity.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Fallen
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Fallen (2017)

Where can you watch Fallen? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy and Amazon MX Player: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

4 main characters · contains spoilers

Fallen Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Fallen (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.

  • Lucinda 'Luce' Price

    played by Addison Timlin

    Luce is a young woman burdened by guilt and fear after being blamed for a tragic fire. Despite her struggles, she exhibits resilience and a deep yearning for connection. Her journey involves uncovering the truths of her past and the curse that binds her to Daniel.

    • 👩‍🎓 Protagonist
    • 💔 Cursed
    • 📖 Brave
  • Daniel Grigori

    played by Jeremy Irvine

    Daniel is a mysterious and brooding figure hiding a profound secret: he is a fallen angel. His deep love for Luce drives him to protect her at all costs, and he faces internal struggles between his heavenly and earthly ties. His character embodies eternal love and sacrifice.

    • 👼 Fallen Angel
    • 💖 Protector
    • 🖋️ Artistic
  • Cameron 'Cam' Briel

    played by Harrison Gilbertson

    Cam is the charming and flirtatious classmate who quickly becomes infatuated with Luce. Though he appears as a suitor, his darker motivations kickstart significant conflict in the story. His character struggles with loyalty and jealousy amid supernatural threats.

    • 😏 Flirtatious
    • ⚔️ Rival
    • 🌌 Manipulative
  • Miss Sophia

    played by Joely Richardson

    Miss Sophia serves as the religious studies teacher at the academy and plays a pivotal role in Luce's story. She holds secrets that shape the narrative's dark twists, providing ominous warnings about the consequences of being unbaptized. Her character is complex, embodying both wisdom and malevolence.

    • 👩‍🏫 Mentor
    • 🕊️ Deceptive
    • 🌌 Ominous

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Fallen Take Place?

The setting of Fallen (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

19th Century, Present Day

The movie oscillates between present day and flashbacks to the 19th century, particularly focusing on the year 1854. This historical context reveals the cyclical nature of the love story between Luce and Daniel, which has transcended time. The themes of reincarnation and eternal love are woven through both periods.

Location

Sword and Cross Academy, Woods, Library

Sword and Cross Academy is a formidable institution for troubled teens, known for its strict environment and ominous past. Nestled amidst a dense forest, it serves as a backdrop for the supernatural events that unfold. The library acts as a crucial setting for revelations and discoveries, becoming a site of tragedy.

  • 🏫 School
  • 🌲 Nature
  • 📚 Library

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Fallen Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • Love and Sacrifice

    At the heart of the story is a tragic love that persists despite the danger and sacrifice involved. Luce and Daniel's connection spans lifetimes, symbolizing true love's resilience. The sacrifices they must make for each other highlight the theme of love's power against dark forces.

  • Redemption

    The story explores themes of redemption and the struggle between good and evil. Luce, considered cursed due to her unbaptized status, seeks to find her place in a world where she feels hunted. Daniel's role as a fallen angel signifies the possibility of redemption and the complexities of choices made in the face of darkness.

  • Supernatural

    Supernatural elements are central to the plot, including the mysterious shadows that haunt Luce and Daniel's true identities. The presence of angels and demonic influences reflects a battle between celestial and infernal realms. This theme adds an intriguing layer to the protagonist's journey.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Fallen Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Fallen (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

What is Sword and Cross Academy and what is it like?

Sword and Cross Academy is a reform school for troubled teens located in a dense forest. The atmosphere is strict and ominous, with a dark history that contributes to the supernatural events that unfold. The academy serves as the primary setting where Luce experiences her visions and encounters the mysterious students.

  • reform school
  • boarding school
  • supernatural setting
  • haunted school
Q2

When does the story take place and what is the significance of 1854?

The movie alternates between present day and flashbacks to the 19th century, specifically 1854. These historical flashbacks reveal the reincarnated love story between Luce and Daniel, showing how their relationship has spanned multiple lifetimes. The time structure emphasizes the cyclical and eternal nature of their connection.

  • flashbacks
  • 19th century
  • reincarnation
  • timeline
  • past lives
Q3

What are the main themes in Fallen?

Fallen explores three central themes: love and sacrifice, redemption, and the supernatural. The story centers on a tragic love that persists across lifetimes, the struggle between good and evil through Daniel's fallen angel nature, and the cosmic battle between celestial and infernal forces.

  • love
  • sacrifice
  • redemption
  • supernatural
  • themes
  • angels
Q4

How does the movie explore love and sacrifice?

The love story between Luce and Daniel is central to the film, with Daniel willing to protect her at all costs despite the danger involved. Their connection spans lifetimes, symbolizing true love's resilience against dark forces. The sacrifices they make for each other highlight love's power to overcome even supernatural obstacles.

  • romance
  • eternal love
  • sacrifice
  • relationship
  • devotion
Q5

What does the redemption theme mean in Fallen?

Redemption is explored through Daniel, a fallen angel seeking to redeem himself, and Luce, who feels cursed due to her unbaptized status. The story suggests that even those considered damaged or fallen can find redemption through love and making difficult choices in the face of darkness.

  • fallen angel
  • redemption
  • forgiveness
  • salvation
  • second chances
Q6

What supernatural elements are in the movie?

The supernatural elements include angels and demonic influences representing a cosmic battle for souls. Luce is haunted by mysterious shadows and has visions connected to her past lives. The story involves a celestial war between heaven and hell, with Luce's unbaptized status making her vulnerable to supernatural threats.

  • angels
  • demons
  • shadows
  • supernatural
  • celestial
  • mystical
Q7

Who is Luce and what is her role in the story?

Luce (Lucinda Price) is the protagonist who was wrongly sent to Sword and Cross Academy after being blamed for a tragic fire. She is burdened by guilt and experiences unsettling visions. Her journey involves uncovering her past lives and the curse that binds her to Daniel, as she must choose between an eternal bond and a chance at normalcy.

  • protagonist
  • Luce Price
  • main character
  • reincarnation
  • cursed
Q8

Who is Daniel Grigori and why is he important?

Daniel Grigori is the mysterious, brooding student at the academy who is actually a fallen angel. His deep love for Luce drives him to protect her throughout multiple lifetimes. He embodies the theme of eternal love and sacrifice, constantly torn between his heavenly origins and his earthly connections.

  • fallen angel
  • Daniel
  • love interest
  • guardian
  • angel
Q9

Who is Cam and what role does he play?

Cam (Cameron Briel) is a charming classmate who becomes infatuated with Luce. Though he appears as a romantic suitor, he harbors darker motivations that create significant conflict in the story. His character represents jealousy and loyalty struggles amid the supernatural threats surrounding Luce.

  • Cam
  • antagonist
  • rival
  • jealousy
  • love triangle
Q10

What role does Miss Sophia play at the academy?

Miss Sophia is the religious studies teacher at Sword and Cross Academy who holds crucial secrets about Luce's true identity. She provides ominous warnings about the consequences of being unbaptized and shapes the narrative's dark revelations. Her character is complex, embodying both wisdom and malevolence.

  • Miss Sophia
  • teacher
  • mentor
  • secrets
  • religious studies

Movie threads

More Movies Like Fallen, by Mood & Story

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

Gothic Supernatural Thrillers with Forbidden Love like in Fallen

Dark romances set in atmospheric, otherworldly worlds under constant threat. If you liked the dark romance and supernatural peril of Fallen, explore more movies like it. This list features similar fantasy stories where a forbidden love unfolds within a gothic, tense atmosphere, blending high-stakes thrills with heavy emotional weight.

  • gothic
  • tense
  • brooding
  • melancholic
  • dark fantasy
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, romantic, tense
  • Pacing: fast, plot-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a protagonist who discovers a hidden supernatural world, often linked to their own identity. They are drawn into a dangerous, forbidden romance that is part of an ancient conflict. The plot is fast-paced, driven by a series of escalating threats and revelations, leading to a climactic confrontation where love and survival are intertwined.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific blend of a dark, gothic aesthetic, a central forbidden romance with high emotional stakes, and a fast-paced supernatural thriller plot. The viewing experience is defined by a mix of romantic tension, melancholic mystery, and high-intensity danger.

Movies about Supernatural Identity Crises like Fallen

Protagonists unravel their hidden powers and destinies within a dangerous hidden world. Fans of Fallen who enjoyed Luce's journey of self-discovery will find similar movies here. These stories focus on characters facing an identity crisis after learning they are part of a hidden supernatural war, blending fantasy adventure with heavy emotional drama.

  • mysterious
  • melancholic
  • anxious
  • brooding
  • dark fantasy
  • tense
  • Tone: dark, mysterious, melancholic
  • Pacing: fast, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who feels out of place until a triggering event reveals their connection to a supernatural lineage or curse. They are guided (and often misled) by mysterious figures as they research their past. The journey is one of self-acceptance and choice, forcing them to define who they are against the backdrop of a pre-ordained destiny.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their focus on the protagonist's internal struggle with identity set against an external supernatural conflict. The central appeal is the combination of a thrilling fantasy plot with the heavy, relatable emotional journey of discovering one's true self and fighting for agency.

If you liked this

Movies Like Fallen

Similar movies to Fallen: 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

Fallen (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Fallen 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