Leviathan (1989) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Leviathan takes place primarily in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, where undersea miners operate a facility. The story centers on the wreck of a Russian cargo ship called the Leviathan, which holds dark secrets. The Baltic Sea is also mentioned as the ship's last known position.

• atlantic ocean
• leviathan shipwreck
• underwater setting
• deep sea location

Leviathan is set in a dystopian future characterized by corporate greed and hazardous working conditions. The world depicted has advanced technology but lacks proper safety protocols, particularly in extreme environments like the ocean floor.

• dystopian future
• futuristic setting
• time period
• sci-fi era

Leviathan explores three major themes: survival horror as the crew faces deadly infection and monstrous transformations; genetic experimentation gone wrong, symbolized by the tainted vodka from the ship; and despair as characters succumb to hopelessness amid isolation and fear.

• survival horror
• genetic experimentation
• despair
• movie themes

The film presents genetic experimentation as dangerous and unethical, showing how the Leviathan was involved in secret experiments that led to tragic outcomes. The tainted vodka serves as a symbol of hidden scientific dangers, raising questions about the moral boundaries of scientific advancement.

• genetic mutation
• science ethics
• body horror
• scientific experiment

Steven Beck, played by Peter Weller, is a skilled geologist who leads the undersea mining operation. He is portrayed as a strong, decisive leader who prioritizes his crew's safety. His determination is tested as the crew faces horrifying circumstances, revealing his resourcefulness under pressure.

• steven beck
• peter weller
• mining leader
• main character

Miss Martin, played by Meg Foster, serves as the corporate overseer of the mining operation. She embodies cold calculation and prioritizes corporate interests over crew safety, representing the ruthless side of corporate governance. Her insincere demeanor creates tension and mistrust among the crew.

• miss martin
• meg foster
• corporate villain
• company representative

Dr. Glen 'Doc' Thompson, played by Richard Crenna, is the ship's physician who strives to keep the crew healthy. He serves as a moral compass, often torn between his duty to the crew and the grim realities they face. He becomes instrumental in attempting to understand the mysterious afflictions affecting the crew.

• doc thompson
• richard crenna
• ship doctor
• medical officer

Elizabeth 'Willie' Williams, played by Amanda Pays, is a resilient female miner who demonstrates strength and resourcefulness throughout the ordeal. She plays a crucial role in discovering the Leviathan's secrets. Her character represents the high emotional and physical stakes for everyone involved in the mission.

• willie williams
• amanda pays
• female miner
• crew member

Corporate greed is a central element in Leviathan, depicted through the mining company's disregard for worker safety in pursuit of profit. The dystopian setting emphasizes how technological advancement has outpaced safety protocols, leading to dire consequences for workers. Miss Martin's character embodies this theme as she prioritizes corporate interests over lives.

• corporate greed
• profit vs safety
• corporation
• workplace danger

The creature in Leviathan is a monstrous being born from a disastrous genetic experiment conducted on the sunken Soviet freighter. It is the result of genetic experimentation that went wrong, causing crew members to transform into mutated monsters. This ties directly to the film's themes of genetic experimentation and survival horror.

• monster
• creature
• genetic mutation
• leviathan creature