Little (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Little primarily takes place in two settings: Windsor Middle School, representing Jordan's difficult childhood experience, and JSI (Jordan Sanders Innovations), the tech company where adult Jordan works as a CEO. These contrasting locations highlight her journey from a bullied student to a powerful executive.

• setting
• locations
• windsor middle school
• jsi
• tech company

The movie spans two time periods: 1993, showing Jordan's middle school years, and the present day where the main events occur. This dual timeline emphasizes how past experiences shaped her current life and professional choices.

• time period
• 1993
• present day
• timeline

Little explores two central themes: growth and friendship. The growth theme follows Jordan's transformation from an insecure, bullied child to a successful but arrogant CEO, eventually learning humility. The friendship theme centers on the evolving relationship between Jordan and her assistant April, showing how genuine connections can foster personal change.

• themes
• growth
• friendship
• personal development

Jordan Sanders is a powerful and ambitious tech CEO who built her company JSI from the ground up. Driven by a desire to prove herself after being bullied as a child, she presents a tough exterior but struggles with vulnerability and genuine human connection. Her magical transformation back into her teenage self forces her to confront her past and reassess her behavior.

• jordan sanders
• ceo
• protagonist
• regina hall

April Williams is Jordan's dedicated assistant at JSI, often overlooked and overworked. Despite the high demands of her job, April has her own ambitions and eventually learns to stand up for herself. Her relationship with Jordan evolves throughout the film, becoming a genuine friendship that helps Jordan recognize the value of authentic connections.

• april williams
• assistant
• issa rae
• supporting character

JSI stands for Jordan Sanders Innovations, the tech company founded by Jordan Sanders. It represents her success and ambition in the corporate world, serving as the primary setting for her adult life and career. The company is preparing for a crucial presentation that becomes central to the plot when Jordan is transformed into her teenage self.

• jsi
• tech company
• innovation
• corporate setting

Windsor Middle School is where young Jordan experienced bullying and hardship, shaping her drive to succeed and her defensive personality. When adult Jordan is transformed back to her 13-year-old self, she must return to this setting, facing the painful memories that motivated her ambitious but arrogant behavior.

• windsor middle school
• school
• childhood
• bullying

Little's core message is that personal growth requires confronting and learning from one's past. Jordan's transformation forces her to revisit painful childhood experiences, teaching her that true success isn't just about professional achievement but about remaining humble, respecting others, and valuing genuine relationships over status.

• message
• meaning
• lesson
• humility
• growth

Little is a fantasy comedy with romantic elements. The film combines magical transformation premise with humor, while also exploring romantic relationships through Jordan's connection with her boyfriend Trevor. The tone remains light and comedic despite dealing with themes of past trauma and personal growth.

• genre
• fantasy
• comedy
• romance
• movie type

Trevor is Jordan's boyfriend who provides insight into her softer, more vulnerable side. His genuine affection for both adult Jordan and Kid-Jordan reveals her capacity for love and intimacy, challenging her tendency to keep people at arm's length and encouraging her to embrace emotional connection.

• trevor
• luke james
• boyfriend
• romantic interest

HomeGirl is Jordan's AI assistant at JSI, voiced by Tracee Ellis Ross. She serves as a tech-savvy guide and comic relief, often reflecting Jordan's emotional state through humor and insight. HomeGirl represents the modern intersection of technology and personal oversight in Jordan's life.

• homegirl
• ai assistant
• tracee ellis ross
• technology