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Going in Style (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Going in Style (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 96 min · English
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Budget
$25M

Willie, Joe, and Al are lifelong friends whose comfortable retirement is threatened when their pension fund is seized by corporate actions. Determined to reclaim what they're owed and provide for their families, the men embark on a risky and hilarious plan to rob the very bank that betrayed them. This crime caper combines humor and heart as the friends navigate the challenges of their audacious scheme, proving that it’s never too late to seek justice and rediscover a sense of adventure.

Comedy Crime Cast, crew & box office
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 Going in Style
  9. 9 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Going in Style Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Going in Style (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.

  • Joe

    Joe is the instigator of the group's heist, feeling trapped in the monotony of his life. His adventurous spirit hides a deep vulnerability as he grapples with moral dilemmas and the ramifications of his actions, revealing a man searching for meaning in his twilight years.

    • 🧓 Elderly
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Adventurous

  • Al

    Al is Joe's loyal companion who reluctantly joins in on the heist. He represents the balance between hesitation and excitement, showcasing the conflict of wanting to escape the mundane while being grounded by reality. His fate serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.

    • 🧓 Elderly
    • 🤷‍♂️ Loyal

  • Willie

    Willie is the most reluctant to engage in the heist, highlighting the group's dynamics. His tragic demise illustrates the serious consequences that can arise from moments of impulsiveness, ultimately marking a pivotal moment in the narrative that affects the remaining friends deeply.

    • 🧓 Elderly
    • 😔 Tragic

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 15:50

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3 characters · 3 connections · contains spoilers

Going in Style Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Going in Style: 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.

How much of the story to show
JJoeWWilliePPete

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 15:50

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Setting

Where and When Does Going in Style Take Place?

The setting of Going in Style (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 story doesn't specify a particular time period, but the setting hints at contemporary times with modern elements such as access to firearms, banks, and current societal issues faced by the elderly. The characters' interactions and the societal context reflect the challenges of aging in a fast-paced world.

Location

Queens, Las Vegas

The film primarily takes place in Queens, a bustling and diverse borough of New York City known for its vibrant neighborhoods and communal lifestyle. Las Vegas serves as a contrasting backdrop, renowned for its glittering casinos and nightlife, where Joe and Al hope to turn their fortunes around after their heist.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎲 Gambling

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 15:50

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3 major themes

Going in Style Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

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

  • Desperation

    The theme of desperation is vividly portrayed as Joe, Al, and Willie seek to escape their mundane existence through criminal actions. This leads to intense moments of chaos and conflict, showcasing the lengths to which individuals will go when driven by a need for change or tangible excitement in their lives.

  • Friendship

    Friendship serves as a cornerstone of the film, highlighting the bond between the three elderly men who support each other in their misguided adventures. The impact of their decisions, especially following loss, emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and loyalty even in tumultuous times.

  • Consequences

    The consequences of their actions weigh heavily on the characters, forcing them to grapple with morality and the law. Joe's eventual confession illustrates the emotional and legal ramifications of their heist, highlighting the complexities and unintended outcomes of their desperate bid for freedom.

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 15:50

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Character & theme questions

Going in Style Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Going in Style (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 primarily set?

The film takes place primarily in Queens, a borough of New York City known for its diverse neighborhoods and communal lifestyle. Las Vegas serves as a contrasting second setting, representing the希望 for financial escape and adventure that drives the characters' plan.

  • queens
  • las vegas
  • new york
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What is the significance of Las Vegas in the story?

Las Vegas represents the trio's idea of a fresh start and potential fortune. After their pension is seized, Joe and Al travel there hoping to win enough money to provide for their families, viewing it as an alternative to their desperate heist plan.

  • las vegas
  • casino
  • heist
  • money
  • new start
Q3

When does the movie take place?

The movie is set in contemporary times, featuring modern elements like banks, firearms, and current societal issues. The specific year is not mentioned, but the technology, culture, and references reflect present-day America.

  • contemporary
  • time period
  • modern era
  • setting
Q4

What are the main themes of Going in Style?

The film explores three major themes: Desperation, as the friends resort to crime due to financial insecurity; Friendship, highlighting the bond between the three elderly men; and Consequences, showing the emotional and legal ramifications of their actions.

  • themes
  • desperation
  • friendship
  • consequences
  • meaning
Q5

How does the film portray friendship?

Friendship serves as a cornerstone, showing how Joe, Al, and Willie support each other through their misguided adventure. The film emphasizes loyalty and camaraderie even in tumultuous times, particularly as the friends face the consequences of their decisions together.

  • friendship
  • loyalty
  • bond
  • community
  • support
Q6

What does the theme of desperation represent in the movie?

Desperation reflects the characters' need to escape their mundane retirement and financial struggles. This urgency drives them toward criminal actions, showcasing how financial pressure and a longing for purpose can push people to extreme measures.

  • desperation
  • financial struggle
  • retirement
  • money problems
Q7

How does the movie handle the theme of consequences?

The characters grapple with morality and the law throughout the film. Joe's eventual confession illustrates the emotional and legal ramifications of their heist, highlighting how desperate actions lead to complex outcomes that affect everyone involved.

  • consequences
  • justice
  • moral dilemma
  • legal ramifications
Q8

Who are the main characters in the film?

The film centers on three lifelong friends: Joe, the instigator who feels trapped in monotony; Al, his loyal but hesitant companion; and Willie, the most reluctant participant who becomes a tragic figure in the story.

  • joe
  • al
  • willie
  • main characters
  • protagonists
Q9

What is Joe's role in the story?

Joe is the instigator of the group's heist, feeling trapped in his monotonous retirement. His adventurous spirit hides deep vulnerability as he searches for meaning in his later years, ultimately driving the plot forward with his bold ideas.

  • joe
  • protagonist
  • instigator
  • leader
  • motivation
Q10

What is Al's role in the story?

Al is Joe's loyal companion who reluctantly joins the heist. He represents the balance between hesitation and excitement, conflicted between wanting escape from the mundane and remaining grounded by reality.

  • al
  • loyal companion
  • supporting character
  • hesitation
Q11

What is Willie's role in the story?

Willie is the most reluctant of the three to participate in the heist, highlighting the group's dynamic. His tragic fate illustrates the serious consequences of impulsive decisions, marking a pivotal emotional moment that deeply affects the remaining friends.

  • willie
  • reluctant
  • tragic fate
  • consequences
  • character arc
Q12

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a bittersweet tone, blending light-hearted heist comedy with somber realities of aging and loss. While the robbery and Vegas win provide uplifting moments, these are sharply contrasted by the deaths of friends, creating emotional depth beyond typical comedy.

  • tone
  • bittersweet
  • comedy
  • emotional
  • drama

Movie threads

More Movies Like Going in Style, by Mood & Story

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

Bittersweet Heist Movies like Going in Style

Amateur thieves on a mission for justice, but with emotional consequences. If you enjoyed the mix of humor and heart in Going in Style, discover more movies like it where amateur criminals pull off audacious capers. This collection features similar crime comedies with a bittersweet tone, focusing on friendship, justice, and the unexpected consequences of one big score.

  • heartwarming
  • humorous
  • hopeful
  • determined
  • bittersweet
  • reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, humorous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a group of underdogs who concoct a high-stakes plan to right a wrong. The narrative progresses steadily from the initial grievance to the planning and execution of the scheme. While the heist itself is often successful and provides comedic and triumphant moments, the aftermath explores the personal costs, creating a mixed emotional resolution.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core formula: a comedic crime plot driven by emotional motivation. They blend a steady, character-focused pace with a medium level of intensity, resulting in an experience that is both humorous and reflective, ending on a note that is satisfying yet realistically complicated.

Going in Style movie poster

Going in Style

2017
Breaking In movie poster

Breaking In

1989
Henry's Crime movie poster

Henry's Crime

2011
Going in Style movie poster

Going in Style

1979
Thieves movie poster

Thieves

1977
Grand Theft Parsons movie poster

Grand Theft Parsons

2004
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot movie poster

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

1974
Crackers movie poster

Crackers

1984

Movies about Elderly Adventurers like Going in Style

Seniors breaking free from routine to find purpose and excitement. For fans of the spirited seniors in Going in Style, this list features similar movies about older protagonists on bold quests. Discover comedies and dramas where characters in their golden years break the rules, find new purpose, and prove that adventure has no age limit.

  • heartwarming
  • reflective
  • determined
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • humorous
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern focuses on characters in their retirement years rediscovering a sense of self and purpose. A catalyst disrupts their comfortable, sometimes lonely, existence, prompting them to take a risk. The journey is as much about internal reflection and mending relationships as it is about the external goal, culminating in a renewed sense of agency, often with a bittersweet acknowledgment of time's passage.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central theme of aging and adventure. They share a specific mood blend of humorous determination and reflective melancholy. The pacing is typically steady, allowing for character exploration, and the emotional weight is medium, balancing lighthearted moments with more profound contemplations on life.

Never Too Late movie poster

Never Too Late

2020
Going in Style movie poster

Going in Style

2017
Going in Style movie poster

Going in Style

1979
Lucky movie poster

Lucky

2017
The Over the Hill Band movie poster

The Over the Hill Band

2009
The Last Laugh movie poster

The Last Laugh

2020
Off the Rails movie poster

Off the Rails

2021
The Best Century of My Life movie poster

The Best Century of My Life

2023

If you liked this

Movies Like Going in Style

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

Browse all movie summaries
Going in Style movie poster

Going in Style

1979
Heist movie poster

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Cops and Robbers movie poster

Cops and Robbers

1973
Going for Broke movie poster

Going for Broke

1977
Old Men: Robbers movie poster

Old Men: Robbers

1972
Small Time Crooks movie poster

Small Time Crooks

2000
$ movie poster

$

1971
How to Rob a Bank movie poster

How to Rob a Bank

2008
Vabank movie poster

Vabank

1981
The Italian Job movie poster

The Italian Job

2003
The Banker movie poster

The Banker

2020
The Bank Shot movie poster

The Bank Shot

1974

Every angle

Going in Style (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Going in Style 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.

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