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Ghosted (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Ghosted (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · English
Echo score 46
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Directed by
Dexter Fletcher
Starring
Chris Evans, Marwan Kenzari, Adrien Brody, Ana de Armas, Tate Donovan, Tim Blake Nelson
Budget
$40M

A charming local finds his life turned upside down when he falls for a woman who is secretly a secret agent. Their budding romance is quickly put on hold as they embark on a thrilling, globe-trotting adventure filled with espionage and danger. They must work together to save the world while uncovering the secrets of her mysterious past and navigating a web of international intrigue.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Ghosted
  9. 9 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Ghosted Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Ghosted (2023), 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.

  • Cole Turner (Chris Evans)

    Cole is a lonely vendor whose quest for connection leads him into a whirlwind of adventure and danger. Initially portrayed as naive and hopeful in romance, he evolves into a resourceful figure, overcoming his fears in the face of life-threatening situations. Cole's character development highlights resilience and the complexities of love amid chaos.

    • 🎬 Protagonist
    • ❤️ Romantic
    • 🤔 Persistent
  • Sadie Rhodes (Ana de Armas)

    Sadie is a charismatic yet secretive character who leads a double life as a CIA operative. Her determination to fulfill her missions often puts her relationships at risk, showcasing her internal conflict. As the story unfolds, her layers are peeled back, revealing her motivations and vulnerabilities, and she ultimately grapples with balancing love and duty.

    • 🎭 Femme Fatale
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Spy
    • 💔 Complex
  • Leveque (Adrien Brody)

    Leveque is the film's antagonist, a disgraced French Intelligence agent with nefarious goals. His pursuit of the Aztec weapon brings chaos to the narrative, as he exploits those around him for personal gain. Leveque's character embodies greed and ruthlessness, pushing Cole and Sadie into dangerous situations.

    • 👤 Antagonist
    • 🏴‍☠️ Ruthless
    • 🚨 Calculating

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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3 characters · 5 connections · contains spoilers

Ghosted Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Ghosted: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

CTCole TurnerChris EvansSRSadie RhodesAna de ArmasMMarco

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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Setting

Where and When Does Ghosted Take Place?

The setting of Ghosted (2023): 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, reflecting modern-day issues like relationships and espionage. The storyline intertwines romance with high-stakes action, showcasing a world where personal connections can become overshadowed by international intrigue and danger. Current technologies, like phone tracking, play a significant role in the narrative.

Location

Washington, D.C., London, Khyber Pass, Socotra Island

The film opens in the bustling farmers' market of Washington, D.C., a vibrant setting known for its fresh produce and lively atmosphere. The action then shifts to London, a historic and cosmopolitan city that adds a layer of intrigue to the story. The Khyber Pass, a strategic corridor, provides a dramatic escape route, while Socotra Island, known for its unique biodiversity, becomes a temporary haven amidst chaos.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌍 International
  • 🏞️ Adventure

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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3 major themes

Ghosted Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Ghosted (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love & Betrayal

    The film explores the complexities of love intertwined with betrayal, as Cole navigates the uncertainty of Sadie's true identity. Their relationship evolves against a backdrop of deception, challenging their trust in each other. Through trials and tribulations, they must reconcile their feelings amidst external dangers.

  • Espionage

    Espionage is at the heart of the story, driving the plot forward as Cole gets entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. The narrative highlights the world of spies, secrets, and covert operations, illustrating the risks involved in a life committed to deception. Sadie's dual life as 'the Taxman' adds an exciting layer to the theme.

  • Conflict

    Conflict is a prevailing theme, both personally between Cole and Sadie and externally with the antagonists. The film showcases physical confrontations, moral dilemmas, and the emotional strife caused by lies, ultimately leading to intense action sequences that reflect the struggle for survival and loyalty.

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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Character & theme questions

Ghosted Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Ghosted (2023): 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 Ghosted set?

Ghosted takes place across several international locations. The film opens in Washington, D.C. at a farmers' market, then shifts to London, continues through the Khyber Pass, and concludes on Socotra Island. These diverse settings reflect the globe-trotting nature of the spy thriller.

  • washington dc
  • london
  • kyber pass
  • socotra island
  • locations
  • setting
Q2

What time period does Ghosted take place in?

Ghosted is set in the contemporary modern day. The story reflects current issues around relationships, espionage, and technology, with phone tracking and other present-day technologies playing significant roles in the narrative.

  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • 2023
Q3

What are the main themes of Ghosted?

Ghosted explores three primary themes: Love & Betrayal, which examines the complexities of a relationship built on deception; Espionage, highlighting the dangerous world of spies, secrets, and covert operations; and Conflict, showcasing both personal tensions between the leads and external confrontations with antagonists.

  • themes
  • love
  • betrayal
  • espionage
  • conflict
  • message
Q4

Is Ghosted a romance or action movie?

Ghosted blends multiple genres, it combines romantic comedy elements with action and espionage thriller components. The story begins as a meet-cute romance between Cole and Sadie, then quickly escalates into a high-stakes spy adventure featuring kidnappings, shootouts, and a race to stop a bio-weapon.

  • genre
  • romance
  • action
  • comedy
  • thriller
  • spy
Q5

Who is Cole Turner in Ghosted?

Cole Turner, played by Chris Evans, is a lonely farmers' market vendor who falls for a mysterious woman (Sadie). Initially naive about romance, he transforms into a resourceful hero as he's pulled into the world of espionage. His character arc emphasizes resilience and learning to navigate love amid chaos.

  • cole turner
  • chris evans
  • main character
  • vendor
Q6

Who is Sadie Rhodes in Ghosted?

Sadie Rhodes, played by Ana de Armas, is a charismatic CIA operative living a double life as a secret agent known as 'the Taxman.' She balances her dangerous mission work with her growing feelings for Cole, constantly torn between her duty and her desire for genuine connection.

  • sadie rhodes
  • ana de Armas
  • cia operative
  • taxman
  • spy
Q7

Who is the villain in Ghosted?

Leveque, played by Adrien Brody, is the antagonist, a disgraced French Intelligence agent seeking a powerful Aztec weapon. His greed and ruthlessness drive much of the conflict, pulling Cole and Sadie into life-threatening situations throughout their mission.

  • leverte
  • adrien brody
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • aztec weapon
Q8

What is Ghosted about?

Ghosted follows Cole, a regular guy who falls for Sadie, not knowing she's a CIA agent. Their romance is interrupted when Sadie's secret life pulls Cole into a dangerous world of espionage, forcing them to work together to stop a villain from acquiring a deadly weapon while navigating trust issues and global intrigue.

  • plot
  • summary
  • story
  • premise
  • spies
  • adventure
Q9

What is the tone of Ghosted?

Ghosted has a primarily tense tone driven by suspenseful action sequences and life-or-death scenarios. However, it's balanced with romantic comedy elements and humor, preventing the film from becoming overly heavy. The narrative is straightforward with a clear villain and mission, culminating in a happy ending.

  • tone
  • mood
  • action
  • intense
  • comedy
  • ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like Ghosted, by Mood & Story

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

Action-Romance Spy Movies like Ghosted

Globe-trotting adventures where love and espionage become dangerously intertwined. Looking for movies like Ghosted? This list features films where a budding romance is complicated by a secret life of espionage, leading to fast-paced, globe-trotting adventures filled with shootouts, intrigue, and a race to save the world.

  • action-packed
  • romantic
  • thrilling
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • globe-trotting
  • Tone: tense, thrilling, romantic
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with an idyllic romance that is abruptly upended by the revelation of a secret identity, often involving espionage. This forces an ordinary person into an extraordinary world of danger, where the couple must learn to work together amidst deception and high-stakes missions to survive and protect their future.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique fusion of romantic chemistry with the tension and spectacle of a spy thriller. They share a fast pace, high intensity, and a central theme of a relationship forged in fire, providing a mix of excitement and heartfelt connection.

Rom-Coms That Turn into Action Movies like Ghosted

What starts as a simple date quickly escalates into a life-or-death mission. If you liked the shift from romantic comedy to spy thriller in Ghosted, explore these movies that start with a fun date and explode into a dangerous adventure. These stories combine witty humor and romance with sudden, high-intensity action and peril.

  • humorous
  • action-packed
  • romantic
  • thrilling
  • unexpected danger
  • fish out of water
  • Tone: humorous, tense, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a sharp tonal shift. An initial act focused on charming character introductions and romantic development is abruptly interrupted by the inciting incident of the thriller plot. The rest of the film balances comedic moments derived from the 'fish out of water' scenario with the serious demands of the action-packed central conflict.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies through their unique structural blend and tonal balancing act. They share a specific pacing that starts deceptively light before accelerating into chaos, all while maintaining a core of romantic and comedic elements to keep the overall emotional weight from becoming too heavy.

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Movies Like Ghosted

Similar movies to Ghosted: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Ghosted (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Ghosted 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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