Life Itself (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film primarily unfolds in New York City, a bustling metropolis that serves as the backdrop for the main characters' lives. The story also expands to Spain, which provides a contrasting setting that explores familial ties and grief through a different cultural lens.

• setting
• new york
• spain
• locations

Spain serves as a contrasting backdrop to New York City, offering a different perspective on familial relationships and loss. The Spanish sequences explore how grief manifests across cultures and demonstrate the film's theme of interconnected lives spanning different geographic locations.

• spain
• setting
• contrast
• grief

The film spans various time frames throughout the characters' lives, from pivotal childhood experiences to adult struggles. It does not anchor itself to a specific era but instead moves across different periods to show how past events shape present circumstances and emotional landscapes.

• timeline
• time period
• nonlinear
• past

The nonlinear structure allows the film to explore how past events directly shape present circumstances and emotional states. This approach creates a richer tapestry of how characters' memories and earlier experiences influence their current decisions and relationships, emphasizing the film's themes of legacy and interconnectedness.

• nonlinear
• structure
• narrative
• timing

Grief is a central theme that permeates the narrative as characters navigate the loss of loved ones and how that loss shapes their lives. The film depicts grief as deeply intertwined with personal memories and relationships, showing how it influences decisions and emotional landscapes across generations.

• grief
• loss
• death
• mourning

Love pervades the narrative in various forms, from romantic relationships to family bonds. The film showcases love's dual nature, depicting both its beauty and its potential to cause pain. Characters experience how love can uplift while also serving as a source of devastation, particularly through Will and Abby's tumultuous relationship.

• love
• romance
• relationships
• family

Legacy is explored through the interconnected lives of characters, emphasizing the lasting impact of familial relationships and choices. As characters like Elena reflect on their family's history, the film illustrates how actions from past generations resonate through time, shaping identities and futures across the narrative.

• legacy
• family
• generations
• impact

Henry, whose real name is Jake Robinson, is a charming yet troubled gay man struggling with his past relationships and current circumstances. His journey of self-discovery unfolds through therapy sessions with Dr. Cait Morris, revealing his vulnerabilities and the lasting pain of loss. Henry embodies the complexities of love and longing.

• henry
• jake robinson
• therapy
• self-discovery

Will, played by Oscar Isaac, is a man grappling with his tumultuous past and the profound loss of his wife Abby. His narrative is marked by exploration of grief, regret, and the quest for understanding as he reflects on their life together. Will's character showcases the difficulty of reconciling love with tragedy.

• will
• oscar isaac
• grief
• loss
• abby

Abby, portrayed by Olivia Wilde, is a strong yet vulnerable woman whose troubled childhood shapes her relationships. Her love for Will is evident, but her past traumas deeply affect her. Abby's character reflects resilience in the face of adversity, and her tragic fate adds layers of complexity to the film's exploration of love and loss.

• abby
• olivia wilde
• childhood
• trauma
• resilience

Dylan, played by Olivia Cooke, is the daughter of Will and Abby, navigating the pain of her parents' past while seeking to carve her own identity. Her character embodies the struggle with loss and the search for meaning in her family's history. Dylan's journey speaks to the intergenerational impact of grief and love.

• dylan
• olivia Cooke
• daughter
• identity
• intergenerational

Dr. Cait Morris, played by Annette Bening, serves as Will's therapist and a guiding force in his life, offering professional perspective on his emotional turmoil. Her character is compassionate yet firm, emphasizing the importance of mental health in navigating personal crises. Cait's own journey intertwines with Will's as she faces unexpected challenges.

• dr cait morris
• annette bening
• therapist
• mental health